Orenda Aircraft Aluminum V8

[PeteLeathersac]

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I was posting this in the raw casting ZL1 thread but thought best start a different one.
Top pic below is an Orenda Aircraft OE600 Aluminum V8 missing gear reduction etc I saw advertised on F-Book recently.
Googling indicates they were 495 CID also 500-750 HP but even more interesting, are what resulted from plans to use ZL1’s in aircraft!
There’s more online but below info also bottom two pics from this link…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orenda_OE600
Anyone familiar w/ these engines or ever hear of any ZL1 powered Aircraft?

~ Pete

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ACAM ORENDA IE600 - Type V-block aircraft engine
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Orenda Aerospace
First run 1990s
The Orenda OE600 was a 600 hp-class liquid-cooled 8-cylinder V-block aircraft engine intended to re-introduce piston power to aircraft normally powered by the famous Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop. The piston engine offers much better fuel economy, which Orenda Aerospace felt would be attractive for older aircraft whose engines were reaching the end of their lifespan. However, changes in Orenda's business in the post-9/11 market led to the project being canceled.
Design and development[edit]
The engine traces its history to the "Generation 2" Chevrolet Big-Block engines of the 1960s. In 1969, General Motors adapted the engine to use a new aluminum block and pistons, rather than cast iron, creating the ZL1. Originally, only 50 examples were produced in 1969 so they could be homologated for the Can-Am race series. Additional copies were produced to equip high-end versions of the Corvette, bringing the total production to 71.
In the late 1970s, Richard MacCoon, an aviation entrepreneur, and his brother, Grant MacCoon, owner of a Southern California automotive aftermarket products company, contacted Lee Muir, a racing engine builder, about adapting the ZL1 for aviation use. Eventually, a brand new engine, based on the linerless Reynolds 390 alloy Chevrolet used in the Can-Am series, was designed and a small number of prototype engines were built.
In addition to the engine components, a propeller reduction gear drive and accessory drive gear section were designed by Richard Lyndhurst, of Santa Ana, CA. The engine package included twin turbochargers and a liquid-to-air aftercooler…
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[LT1vette]

Pete... Orenda is linked to DeHavilland in Toronto linked to CF100 prototype...

[randy27]

That's a cool engine!

[PeteLeathersac]

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It’s back on F-Book Marketplace @ $ 6300. Cdn. as link + pics below.
For all it costs, a fella can’t help but wonder if Block and Heads alone could be de-engineered for use w/ cars.
I’m interested but not as a buyer so anyone feel free to step up and contact seller if you are.
Ignition end + Turbo looks complete also note Chevy pattern behind gear reduction housing, wonder what crank ends are like also if other BB cranks fit?
Feels like the Bizzaro World of Aluminum BB Chevys, anyone know anything about these crazy things?

~ Pete

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Orenda Aluminum 495 Chevy on F-book Marketplace…
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...c-f048c4f952bf

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