Volvo Penta V6-280A-C Aquamatic SX Single-Prop Sterndrive Package
Description
Eliminate slow ski boat hole shots with Volvo Penta V6-280A-C SX Package systems, designed to power performance runabouts, ski boats, and bowriders up to 26 feet. Displacing 4.3 liters across six V-configured cylinders, this naturally aspirated gasoline engine produces 280 horsepower at 5,800 RPM. Direct fuel injection and variable valve timing ensure crisp acceleration, clean exhaust, and high fuel economy.
High-strength cast aluminum forms the deep-skirt cylinder block and cylinder heads, utilizing cast iron cylinder liners to reduce total engine weight. A closed fresh water cooling system integrates an aluminum heat exchanger, exhaust manifold cooling jackets, and bronze sea water pump. Dry package weight with SX sterndrive is 968 lbs, supported by an engine bay envelope matching standard 22.5-inch stringers and quick-connect fuel fittings.
Key Features of Volvo Penta V6-280A-C SX
Sport boat owners buy Volvo Penta V6-280A-C SX inboard engine packages to replace aging carbureted sterndrives with clean direct-injection technology. The paired SX single-propeller drive features a hydrodynamic lower gearcase to reduce underwater drag while delivering dependable high-speed performance across calm lakes and coastal bays.
- 280 horsepower rating propels sport boats past 48 knots with exceptional throttle response.
- Common-rail direct fuel injection operates at 150 bar to extract maximum energy from regular gasoline.
- Variable valve timing optimizes camshaft phasing for strong low-end acceleration and high-RPM cruising.
- Fresh water cooling isolates block passages from raw lake or saltwater corrosion.
- Hydrodynamic SX single-propeller drive reduces drag for higher top speed and simple prop selection.
- Volvo Penta V6-280A-C SX efficiency reduces fuel consumption during water sports tow runs.
- Wide-band oxygen sensors adjust air-fuel mixtures in real time across elevation changes.
- Easy drain winterization system empties raw water passages with a single manual hand valve.
Combustion Dynamics Thermal Capacities
Dual thermostats regulate internal coolant temperatures between 160°F and 175°F under continuous planing operations. The V6 block develops 310 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM, giving sport boats fast acceleration for towing water skiers and wakeboarders. Operating under recreational marine duty cycles, thermal heat rejection transfers 95 kW into raw sea water circuits. Specific fuel consumption averages 265 g/kWh, burning about 5.85 gallons per hour at standard cruising speeds under loaded displacement conditions.
Exhaust Integration Bay Clearances
Water-jacketed aluminum exhaust manifolds route exhaust gases through the transom plate and propeller hub, meeting ABYC P-1 standards. Engine bearer brackets align with 22.5-inch stringer beds, preserving 2.5 inches of clearance below the cast aluminum oil pan. Flexible rubber shear mounts isolate reciprocating vibration from fiberglass hulls.
Service Schedules Application Constraints
Mechanical push-pull or electronic control cables link helm levers straight to throttle bodies without mechanical binding. Operators check drive trim fluid levels, inspect drive bellows, and verify sea water strainers prior to departure. This gasoline sterndrive package is not engineered for heavy commercial tugs, displacement passenger barges, or unvented engine spaces lacking USCG approved bilge blowers.
- Inspect drive bellows and fluid levels before each shift.
- Inspect and clean sterndrive sacrificial zincs every 100 hours.
- Change engine oil, sterndrive gear lube, and filters every 100 hours.
Warranty Terms Package Manifest
Recreational buyers receive 2-Year limited warranty protection on base castings and sterndrive gear components. The shipping crate contains the V6 gasoline engine, Aquamatic SX sterndrive, transom shield module, complete power trim pump, and bound factory technical service manual.
Volvo Penta V6-280A-C Aquamatic SX Single-Prop Sterndrive Package Specs
| Manufacturer / Brand | Volvo Penta |
| Model Designation | V6-280A-C Aquamatic SX |
| Engine Type | 4-Stroke High-Output Direct-Injected Marine Gasoline Sterndrive Package |
| Cylinder Configuration | 90-Degree V6, 12-Valve OHV with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) |
| Total Displacement | 4.3 Liters (262 cu in) |
| Bore x Stroke | 99.6 x 92.0 mm (3.92 x 3.62 in) |
| Aspiration & Charge Air | Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) |
| Cooling System Architecture | Closed Freshwater Cooling System (FWC) with Exhaust Manifold Heat Exchanger |
| Continuous Power Rating (P1) | 220 BHP (164 kW) @ 5,000 RPM |
| Maximum / Intermittent Power (P3/P4) | 280 BHP (209 kW) @ 5,800 RPM (Pleasure Craft Duty) |
| Fuel Injection Platform | Direct Injection Spark Ignition with High-Pressure Fuel Common Rail |
| Cylinder Head Metallurgy | All-Aluminum Lightweight Cylinder Heads with High-Flow Intake Ports |
| Cylinder Liners | Cast-In Cast Iron Cylinder Liners in Cast Aluminum Block |
| Flywheel Housing & Flywheel | Volvo Penta Transom Gimbal Housing Interface with Drive Coupler |
| Electrical System & Ground | 12V Marine Ground System with Mechanical Throttle/Shift Controls |
| Starter & Alternator Output | 12V 1.4 kW Starter / 12V 75A Marine Alternator |
| Lube Oil Sump Capacity | 5.0 Liters (1.32 US gal) |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 9.5 Liters (2.51 US gal) |
| Dry Weight (excl. gearbox) | 386 kg (851 lbs) [Complete Package with SX Drive: 447 kg (985 lbs)] |
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 914 x 777 x 790 mm (36.0 x 30.6 x 31.1 in) |
| Emissions Certification | EPA Marine Tier 3, CARB 4-Star Super Ultra Low Emission, EU RCD Stage II |
| Fuel Compatibility | Unleaded Marine Gasoline (Minimum 87 AKI / 91 RON), Ethanol Blends up to E10 |
| Transmission / Outdrive Compatibility | Included Volvo Penta Aquamatic SX Single-Propeller Sterndrive with Mechanical Shift and Power Trim |
| Factory Warranty Period | 2-Year Limited Factory Warranty with 3-Year Extended Major Components Coverage |
| Application Research | Sport boats, aluminum coastal cruisers, fast utility runabouts, and lake sportboats. |
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