Mercury Racing introduces SB4 7.0 automotive crate engine

Mercury Racing revealed its new SB4 7.0 (small block – four-valve) automotive aftermarket crate engine on Tuesday at the opening of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. SEMA consists of a diverse group of manufacturers, builders, distributors, retailers and publishing companies.

Designed, developed and manufactured in-house, the 7.0 Liter engine features Mercury Racing’s aluminum four-valve cylinder heads and dual overhead camshaft valve train integrated with a LS cylinder block built with Mercury Racing spec hardware. This valve train, which is designed to enhance engine durability over a standard two-valve design, enables the engine to produce a staggering 775 horsepower at 7500 RPM on pump fuel.

Benefits of the DOHC four-valve design versus the typical LS pushrod layout include:

• Improved intake and exhaust flow enables increased engine performance;
• High-tumble four-valve combustion;
• Low mass, high stiffness design to reduce stresses and enable smooth high RPM operation and long life; and
• Improved drivability due to optimized camshaft timing at comparable horsepower levels.

Mercury Racing designs and develop fully integrated systems for its powertrain products, including developing its own electrical and engine management systems. Mercury’s proprietary powertrain control module, featuring internally written software, is built to provide the opportunity for customization and application specific needs.

The Mercury Racing SB4 7.0 was developed utilizing 3D simulations and analyses on airflow, cooling, fuel and lubrication systems. Finite element analysis (FEA) studies were conducted on the head, block and rotating components to ensure an efficient and reliable powertrain.

Mercury Racing conducts fired engine, motored engine and dynamic rig testing on its prototypes. Tests are conducted to calibrate engine management systems, evaluate in-cylinder combustion, and measure timing drive dynamics and torsional excitation. Mercury Racing people, capabilities, and facilities are recognized through ISO 9000 and EU RCD certifications.

SB4 7.0 engines are available as turnkey, ready-to-run engines featuring Mercury Racing’s proprietary engine control module and electrical harness. They come unpainted to allow builders to color match engines with the vehicle. Exhaust is not included.

This is Mercury Racing’s fourth consecutive SEMA show. The booth, #37005, is in the Upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. A SB4 7.0 is featured in the company’s development vehicle, a mid-engine Ultima GTR Supercar. The Ultima is flanked with two SB4 7.0 static displays, one fully dressed and one cutaway to reveal exclusive features. A fully dressed SB4 7.0 is also displayed in SEMA’s New Product Showcase, also in the Upper Show Hall. SpeedKore Performance Group, booth # 24587 in Central Hall has a SB4 7.0 engine on static display as well.

Mercury Racing is also displaying one of SpeedKore’s most popular builds to showcase their QC4 1650 crate engine. Deemed TANTRUM, the 1970 Dodge Charger earned a Gran Turismo award for best domestic build at SEMA last year. Speedkore’s carbon fiber work, featured throughout the car, caught the attention of the judges and media.

From there, the car was sent to Los Angeles for multiple photo sessions and video shoots, culminating with a feature on Jay Leno’s Garage. Shortly after the Leno show, the Mercury Racing-powered Charger was requested for filming of the next movie in the Fast & Furious franchise. TANTRUM will be seen in the upcoming Fast and Furious film, Fast8, in U.S. theaters April 14, 2017.

The SEMA show runs Nov. 1-4.