Ilmor have been working on the design and development of the updated Viper Motorcycle 152 cubic inch (2.4 litre) V-Twin engine since October 2009, as part of the manufacturing agreement with the U.S based Viper Motorcycle Company. The engine powers Viper’s Diamondback Super Cruiser model which was launched to critical acclaim in the summer of 2011.
The advanced Ilmor design, intended to both improve performance and lower emissions, includes a new crankcase, which has fully integrated oil pressure and scavenge pump sets, a new barrel housing and new cylinder heads. The addition of a state of the art cooling system, incorporating both oil-cooling and air-cooling further improves engine output and reliability.
The updated Ilmor badged engine design retains the distinctive Viper Motorcycle machined and polished billet aluminium look of the predecessor.
Both the Viper and 5 stroke engine (see left) have a number of major components machined from solid aluminium billets. In the past these would have been machined from aluminium castings and the lengthy pattern equipment leadtimes and casting flaws such as porosity and shrinkage would have been reluctantly accepted. However with the advent of 5 axis high speed machining centres, machining from solid is now the preferred route for low volume high precision major engine components. Ilmor has extensive experience and knowledge in this field and has developed it's own in-house tooling and production methods.
Contact Carl Whitworth or Tim Roberts to find out more.
New Indy V-6 Engine testing update
Since the initial engine fire-up Ilmor, Chevrolet and it’s racing team partners have undertaken a major on-track development program involving testing at road/street circuits as well as three oval speedways.
Drivers from Andretti Autosport, KV Racing Technology, Panther Racing and Team Penske had the opportunity to get behind the wheel during the development program that began in early October at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Further track testing is planned by the teams before the 2012 fifteen round season opens on March 25th with a race around the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
