Skater 30 / Ilmor Indy Upgrade

[whatboat]

Wow, can't wait to she her !!!

[Wrinkleface]

Cool project!!

[NASCAT]

Wow, can't wait to she her !!!

You & me both!

[NASCAT]

Just got an update from Skater, Trevor Stacy that rigged this boat when it was originally built has been overseeing this project & said we're getting close to splashdown.

Everything will be bolted in for good mid next week and assuming the hatches get painted a sea trial could take place before the weeks out. Much like anything else it's the minute details that take the longest.

Remember that Ilmor's Gen4 725 / Indy drive package is an all electronic drive by wire package but my Gen3 710 engine is not. While Ilmor has written the necessary software to get the engine, trans & drive to communicate Trevor is working through getting my tab & drive indicators to work using potentiometers (like a smartcraft system uses) & servos to move the Stainless Marine sticks so that I don't have to reconfigure my dash to accomodate L.E.D. type indicators. which is what Ilmor recommends for their cable free package. The pic of the blue bezeled indicators is courtesy of C-Spray & shows the L.E.D. cable free technology. I have no probelm w/ the L.E.D. other than I have no space & it would require removing ALL my gauges, filling in holes, relocating gages & then putting a new piece of CF over everything only to have to redrill the entire dash (both sides).

Keeping my fingers crossed Trevors plan comes together.

[NASCAT]

Rigging final details prior to engine install.

[ILMORdude]

Lookin good man! Good pics and updates

[NASCAT]

One engine in & one to go!

[NASCAT]

Engines are in & will be fired up on the hose today!!!!

Ilmor on site at Skater tomorrow to update software & get the engines, trans & drives communicating w/ each other.

Basically the only remaining items are painting & installing hatches, wire up L.E.D. indicators & sea trial. Peter has rounded up 6-8 sets of props & from what I understand from Trevor & Paul is that their on water test sheet is very detailed documenting everything from conditions, to temps, rpm, drive & tab position, speed as well as using a stop watch to time on plane & roll on performance. Way beyond just putting around for 5 mins & checking for leaks. Props will be spun in to begin with since thats how they ran last but ultimately the best setup will be rotated outward as well.

Pics attached show my helm & console before, the sticks relocated to the center & where the indictaors will go. Speedo gets removed & replaces the compass above the radio.

[MANITIE]

They did a great job on her.....

[TxHawk]

Why did you change the indicators?

Looks killer!

[NASCAT]

Tx,

The new Ilmor engine drive pkg is drive by wire no cables for throttles or shifting. I have the older gen 3 engines but the new drive sends it's trim signal electronically. I didn't want heads up cable tabs w/ seperate L.E.D. drive indicators so ILMOR & Livorsi have worked on an all L.E.D. system. To be honest as much as I like the visibility of the heads up indicators the accuracy / repeatability wasn't there in fact it was dangerous not knowing exactly where the tabs were.

[NASCAT]

Ilmor visited Skater yesterday for the initial start up & ECM reprogramming. Both engines lit off first time & drivelines spun flawlessly. Anticipated splashdown is Monday 8/23 for 2 days of prop testing.

Hatches are done just working thru the L.E.D. drive & tab indicator setup

I plan to be at Skater next Friday 8/27, get a little seat time myself & then tow her home.

More pics & test results to follow...............

[NASCAT]

Trevor Stacy of Skater designed, fabbed & installed these potentiometer type indicator sensors himself. They will power the L.E.D. display at the helm. The drives will use the same L.E.D. display but the sensors have been incorporated into the trim mechanism by ILMOR.

I'm very much looking forward to a cable free setup that incorporates both accuracy & consistency!

Trevor & Paul are quite the experienced & detail oriented riggers. I've been impressed w/ their work & look forward to seeing it all in person.

[NASCAT]

Sorry the pics have been a little out of order today but I take what I can get since I didn't have any up until I started this thread!

Speedo relocated & Indicators installed!

Tabs had to be trimmed (no pun intended) for steering clearance.

[Ratickle]

If you really hurry, the Shootout isn't until Saturday......

[NASCAT]

While everyone knows what role Peter Hledin plays behind the Douglas Marine / Skater product I wanted to give credit to 2 others who have played a major role in my outdrive upfit.

They are Trevor Stacy (yellow tee) who has been w/ Skater for 8 yrs & Paul Wingard (wht tee) who has been w/ Skater for 16 yrs.

I've been really impressed w/ their communication, attention to detail and ingenuity!

Indicators are complete! Plan is to weigh the boat in the morning & be on the water by 9am!

Details to follow!

[whatboat]

Wow

[ApachePete]

Fogged in this morning

[ApachePete]

Just saw it on US 31 in Douglas, heading north.

Don't know where they launch.

Very good looking boat.

[NASCAT]

Quick, call the border patrol, don't let him cross into Canada!