Ilmore's Andy Gryczan
About this episode
Andy Gryczan of Ilmore Engineering breaks down how IndyCar’s Chevy engine program works and why the 2012-era architecture still underpins today’s performance. He explains Ilmore’s long Chevrolet partnership, his trackside role coordinating engine techs across Chevy teams, and how development has evolved from “make it finish” to meticulous performance and reliability tuning. The conversation covers Indy 500 priorities, weekend calibration routines, pit-lane details, and the hybrid system as a new tuning tool. Gryczan also weighs in on IndyCar’s current trajectory versus F1’s regulation-driven debate.
Rossi has a chat with Chevy IndyCar Chief Race Engineer at Ilmore, Andy Gryczan, giving a behind the scenes look at what goes in to making the cars performance at their best.
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Ilmore Engineering
"...I just want to welcome Andy Griesan from Ilmore Engineering to the show."
Ilmore Engineering is a company that works on race-car technology. In this episode, they’re talking about how Ilmore fits into IndyCar engine building and how it compares to bigger teams.
Ilmore Engineering is the company Andy Gryczan represents on the show. The episode frames Ilmore’s role in IndyCar engine development and how its approach compares to major automakers’ motorsport programs.
Indy car space
"...explain to our listener base what Ilmore is and how they are different and the same as GM and Chevrolet in the Indy car space?"
“Indy car space” means the world of IndyCar racing. It includes the teams and companies that build the engines and race cars for that series.
“Indy car space” refers to the IndyCar racing ecosystem—teams, engine suppliers, and engineering partners that build and support cars for the IndyCar series. It’s a specific motorsport context where engine technology and supplier relationships matter a lot.
several iterations of that engine
"...that there were several iterations of that engine in the mid to late 80s that, you know, Mario Andretti took to race victories..."
They’re talking about the same basic engine being updated multiple times. Racing teams do this to improve power, reliability, or to match new rules. So the engine “evolves” rather than staying exactly the same.
The speaker is describing how an engine platform gets revised over time—typically with changes to internal components, fueling, cooling, and sometimes valvetrain or induction details. In racing, these iterations are usually driven by rule changes, reliability lessons, and performance targets. It’s a common way manufacturers keep an engine competitive across seasons.
V8 naturally aspirated
"...the old race car, the IR3, with the V8 naturally aspirated a Honda engine..."
A naturally aspirated V8 is an engine that doesn’t use a turbo or supercharger. It makes power by breathing air through the engine normally. That usually means the response and tuning feel different than forced-induction engines.
A naturally aspirated V8 is an engine that makes power without a turbocharger or supercharger, relying on atmospheric pressure and engine displacement. In racing, naturally aspirated setups often emphasize throttle response, cam/valvetrain tuning, and intake/exhaust efficiency. The “naturally aspirated” detail matters because it changes how the engine is tuned and how it behaves under load.
Honda engine
"...with the V8 naturally aspirated a Honda engine that was a joint venture between Ilmore and Honda."
They’re saying the race car used an engine built by Honda. That matters because the engine supplier strongly influences how the car performs and how it’s developed. Later, the story shifts when Chevrolet returns with a new engine spec.
The speaker specifies that the IR3 used a Honda V8 naturally aspirated engine. This highlights manufacturer involvement at the powerplant level, not just the chassis or team. It also sets up the later contrast when Chevrolet returns and they build a new “current spec” engine.
Honda
"...the V8 naturally aspirated a Honda engine that was a joint venture between Ilmore and Honda..."
Honda is the brand that provided the earlier engine setup for the race car. The team worked with Honda through a joint venture, and that shaped how the car was built and tuned. Later, Chevrolet comes back and the program shifts.
Honda is presented as the earlier engine partner via a joint venture with Ilmore, supplying the naturally aspirated V8 used in the IR3 era. The speaker also contrasts Honda’s involvement with Chevrolet’s return in 2012. This frames how manufacturer partnerships drive different engine specs and development paths.
Formula One
"...IndyCar Formula One and Marine racing engines as well as, you know, Marine engines for Mastercraft boats, right?"
Formula One is the highest level of open-wheel racing in the world. Here, they’re saying Ilmore has experience building engines for that kind of top-tier racing.
Formula One (F1) is the premier global open-wheel racing series. The speaker mentions Ilmore creating racing engines for F1, highlighting that the company’s engineering experience spans elite motorsport.
GM
"...we have that kind of arm as well as our IndyCar racing effort that we've been partners with GM. So GM supply, as you know, like have a lot of support with all the simulation stuff..."
GM is General Motors, a major automaker. In this episode, they’re described as the partner providing support tools like simulation, while Ilmore focuses on engine technical work.
GM refers to General Motors, which the speaker says provides support and simulation resources for the racing effort. The segment frames GM as the broader partner, while Ilmore is positioned as the engine-side technical resource.
chassis and aero development
"...as well as other chassis and aero development resource while we are all the engine side resource."
Chassis and aero development are about making the car (or race vehicle) handle well and move efficiently through the air. Here, they’re saying GM supports those areas, and Ilmore focuses on engines.
Chassis development covers the vehicle’s structural and suspension-related performance, while aero development focuses on airflow and downforce/drag. The segment describes a split of responsibilities: GM supports chassis/aero development resources, while Ilmore handles the engine side.
assigned personnel at the track
"...every team or every car rather at the track is assigned a, is it a GM person or is it an Ilmore person?"
They’re describing how race teams staff their weekends. Instead of everyone doing everything, certain experts are assigned—some from GM and some from Ilmore—to handle their specific areas.
The segment explains a track operations model where each team/car is assigned specific manufacturer or partner personnel (either a GM person or an Ilmore person). This highlights how modern racing programs split responsibilities across specialized engineering groups.
Chevrolet
"...Right. So every Chevrolet branded team, every car that is under that banner has a Ilmore engine tech."
Chevrolet is a GM brand. The episode is saying that if a team is Chevrolet-branded, Ilmore provides the engine technical support for that team.
Chevrolet is a GM brand, and the speaker ties it directly to the engine support structure. They say every Chevrolet-branded team (under that banner) gets an Ilmore engine tech.
simulation side
"...that help on the other side of things, the simulation side, the software side..."
The “simulation side” refers to using computer models to predict performance and guide engineering decisions before (and sometimes during) track sessions. In racing, simulation can cover everything from engine behavior to vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic effects, helping teams iterate faster than testing alone.
software side
"...the simulation side, the software side, but you are kind of the lead..."
The software side is the computer work behind racing—analyzing data and helping the team make the car behave the way they want. It often ties into engine settings and how the car responds.
The “software side” in racing typically means the tools and code used to analyze data, run simulations, and manage engine/vehicle control strategies. This can include calibration workflows, telemetry processing, and control logic that affects how the car responds under different conditions.
aerodynamics
"...learning how to develop suspension aerodynamics. There's more features... besides just the engine..."
Aerodynamics is the study of how air flows around the car, which directly impacts downforce, drag, and stability. In racing, aerodynamic development often works alongside mechanical setup (like suspension) to produce predictable handling at different speeds and track conditions.
engine has been around since 2012
"This engine has been around since 2012. Drivers are aware of it. Teams are aware of it."
They’re saying the same basic engine design has been used since 2012. That usually means teams have a lot of experience with it and can improve it over time.
Saying the engine architecture has existed since 2012 highlights long-term platform development—teams learn its strengths, weaknesses, and failure modes over many seasons. It also implies ongoing refinements rather than constant redesigns.
performance and reliability
"wildest dreams think the performance and reliability"
“Performance and reliability” is the central motorsports tradeoff: pushing power and efficiency while ensuring the engine and systems survive race conditions. The fact that the speaker pairs them suggests the engine platform has managed both over a long period.
Chevy
"...the current crop of engineers, both at Honda and at Chevy, I would say both..."
Chevy (Chevrolet) is the other manufacturer mentioned in the comparison. The point is that the engines from each company evolved differently and affected performance.
“Chevy” refers to Chevrolet, another engine manufacturer in the program. The speaker emphasizes that engine-only differences between Honda and Chevrolet were significant, even before considering aero.
Indy 500
"Well, I think we know that the priority of Chevy in ourselves is the Indy 500. So a lot of your, you know, development is focused on that."
The Indy 500 is a huge race held at Indianapolis. Racing teams focus a lot of their work on it because it’s one of the biggest tests of speed and reliability all year.
The Indy 500 (Indianapolis 500) is a 500-mile open-wheel race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For teams like Chevy and Honda, it’s a major development target because the rules, reliability demands, and performance needs are unique to that event.
pits
"So we've obviously like, if you've been in a race, we see you guys in the pits looking at the car. You usually have the laptops open, analyzing things."
The pits are where the race team goes to work on the car during the event. They use it to make changes and keep track of what the car is doing.
The pits are the service area where the team works during a race—changing tires, making adjustments, and monitoring the car’s status. In IndyCar, pit lane operations are tightly coordinated with real-time data and strategy decisions.
engine and hybrid
"...whole powertrain system, engine and hybrid now. So I'm running around and you're setting that game plan up."
This is about how the gas engine and the electric parts work together. How they coordinate can change how the car feels when you accelerate and how it recovers energy when slowing down.
“Engine and hybrid” highlights the integration point: the engine’s output and the hybrid’s electric assist/regeneration must be coordinated. That coordination affects throttle response, traction management, and how energy is used across the race.
pit lane speed limiter
"So all those small details, pit lane speed limiter, another, you know, topic that comes up all the time, you think, well, that's not a big deal."
In the pit lane, there’s usually a system that limits how fast the car can go. It’s there for safety, and it can affect how efficiently you get through the pits.
A pit lane speed limiter is an electronic control that caps speed in the pit lane to keep it safe for crew and other cars. Teams must account for it because it affects how quickly you can complete pit stops and how precisely you can time pit exits and exchanges.
shifts
"We want the shifts to be good."
Shifts are when the car changes gears. If they happen at the right time and smoothly, the car accelerates better and feels easier to drive fast.
“Shifts” refers to gear changes, which strongly influence acceleration and drivability. In racing transmissions, shift timing and smoothness affect traction, engine speed control, and how quickly the car can respond out of corners.
engine issue
"I've been in this series now for, for 10 years and I can count on one hand where I think an engine issue, right? No, I'm not saying reliability. I'm saying performance, right?"
An engine issue is when something goes wrong with the engine that can hurt power or reliability. If it rarely happens, it means the car is usually running strong when it matters.
An “engine issue” in racing refers to any problem that affects engine operation—such as misfires, overheating, or power loss. When drivers say they can count engine issues on one hand, they’re highlighting how rarely mechanical problems disrupt race performance.
F1
"it doesn't last for a super long time like F1 and its total amount maybe isn't as impressive... as currently what F1's doing is the energy density..."
F1 is Formula 1, the top level of open-wheel racing. The speaker is comparing how F1’s power/energy systems deliver performance compared to the system they’re discussing.
F1 refers to Formula 1, which uses advanced energy and power-management strategies. The speaker compares the duration and impact of the temporary boost concept in IndyCar-style systems versus what F1 is doing.
lap time
"The needle, you won't see it move on track, but you know, in the lap time, you might be able to say that we had a small contribution there."
Lap time is how long it takes to complete one full lap on the track. If lap times get better after a change, it usually means the car is working better.
Lap time is the primary performance metric in circuit racing. Teams use it to judge whether changes—like software, calibration, or setup—actually improve how quickly the car can complete a circuit.
engine dynos
"...like running on engine dinos and going to test and nowadays I think that they're..."
An engine dyno is a machine that runs the engine on a stand while measuring how much power it makes. Teams use it to test updates safely before taking the car to the track.
Engine dynos are test stands that measure engine output (like horsepower and torque) while the engine runs under controlled conditions. Teams use dyno results to validate changes, develop calibration, and reduce guesswork before track testing.
V8 or a V10 F1 car
"the the F1 cars every time you hear a V8 or a V10 F1 car naturally aspirated everybody like stops or just like when Brian or"
They’re talking about older F1 engine types that used V8 or V10 layouts. Those engines had a very recognizable sound that fans loved.
The speaker references F1’s former engine eras—V8s and V10s—highlighting how those configurations produced a particular sound and character. This is a key part of the nostalgia argument: fans remember the high-rev, naturally aspirated note.
visceral experience
"listen to it smell the Mephanel like that visceral experience as an engine guy you feel like you're part of that"
They mean a reaction you feel in your body—like being impressed or excited right away. In this case it’s the engine sound and smell that makes people react instantly.
A “visceral experience” refers to an emotional, physical reaction—here, the sound and smell of an F1 engine. The speaker argues that naturally aspirated engines create stronger sensory impact, which helps keep the sport engaging.
keyboard warriors
"technologically more advanced there's still the keyboard warriors that say that if you're not involved with F1 then"
This is slang for people who argue a lot on the internet. The speaker is saying some online fans act like you’re “less than” if you don’t focus on F1.
“Keyboard warriors” is a slang term for people who argue aggressively online. In this context, the speaker is criticizing online commentators who judge the sport based on whether you follow F1 closely.
more power
"like as soon as we get something with more power we we managed to wait a little bit better if we can make the whole system everything lighter get more"
“More power” means the car can produce more force to go faster. In racing, that usually helps with acceleration and overall speed, but it also changes how the car behaves.
“More power” in racing usually means higher engine output and/or improved energy deployment, which affects acceleration, top speed, and how aggressively drivers can attack corners. In modern series, power gains are often paired with other changes like weight reduction and efficiency improvements.
everything lighter
"we managed to wait a little bit better if we can make the whole system everything lighter get more power make it more exciting"
Making the car lighter helps it accelerate and stop better. It can also make the car feel more responsive and easier to drive fast.
Weight reduction (“everything lighter”) is a major performance lever in motorsport because it improves acceleration, braking, tire wear, and overall responsiveness. It also helps teams meet handling targets since less mass can make the car easier to rotate and control.
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