Michael Shank Racing will test Honda’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 Daytona Prototype engine for the first time with its Ligier JS P2 chassis later this month at Daytona International Speedway. Under recent IMSA provisions, Honda’s 3.5L DP motor has been approved as a replacement for the ACO-spec 2.8-liter twin-turbo V6 powerplant Shank and other Prototype teams utilized through the 2015 season.

With the added displacement, more than 600 hp should be on tap, and thanks to Honda Performance Development’s efforts to pare weight from the engine, the 3.5L unit is expected to have a favorable impact on the Ligier’s handling.

Once the Ohio-based team receives its new JS P2 monocoque from Ligier to replace the tub that was crashed and repaired at Petit Le Mans, the freshened No. 60 car will be assembled and ship to Daytona for the No. 17-18 IMSA test.

“I’m focused on getting the 3.5-liter into the car right now for the Daytona test,” Shank (RIGHT) told RACER. “We’ve got the new big displacement motor, and we’re getting the rest of the parts in over the next couple of days for the motor and the new tub from Ligier. Then we’ll get it all built up and go test. The timing is tight, but we’ll make it work.”

Shank believes the Honda DP motor will allow his P2 chassis to challenge the dominant Daytona Prototypes on a more consistent basis.

“Looking at the 3.5, you can’t tell the difference to the 2.8, but it’s got more power, they’ve done a lot of lightening to it and a lot of durability running at HPD,” he said. “I’m excited. I really think we have something here to go up against the DPs.”

Shank has also been busy putting together a program to field a second Ligier next season. The sister JS P2-Honda could appear at the four Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup rounds or, if he can find the right driver and funding combination, run as a full-time entry alongside John Pew and Ozz Negri in the No. 60.

Former Chip Ganassi Racing and DeltaWing Racing driver Memo Rojas is a leading candidate for the second entry, and Shank says they will continue to explore options to partner in 2016.

“There’s nothing to speak of yet, and he does have support, but we’re not quite there yet,” he added. “We’re working together on some B2B stuff, and we’re trying to make something happen. It’s 50/50 right now.”