Hello
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Hello
Newbie here, did not see the new member thread, and since this question has brought me to this forum- I thought I would just start here.
1988 VIP vindicator- My first boat, I just moved to OK from CO, live 3/4mi from a boat ramp on Tenkiller lake, so I had to have a boat.
Couple things to start with
Anyone have reliable info on how much it weighs?
Bravo one drive, how much juice can it handle ?
454(330hp?) is a bit tired, It will last through this year no prob, but thinking of a rebuild this winter. Casting # does not definitively identify it as a 4bolt looks like I will find out this winter lol. If I get lucky, then I will handle the rebuild myself and can really finetune the output. If it is a female I wont waste the effort and will buy a rebuilt motor(4bolt maybe rec.port) from a supplier. I am pretty handy with a grinder and have built a few excellent street engines with oval port heads in the 400-425hp range, which is what I would think I should shoot for in this boat. If I have to buy a motor would the drive handle a 475hp Mag? I guess I am kinda stuck with the stock exhaust so the actual outputs may be less?
I dont know anything about the through hull ex. manifolds. The reason for a mag is its only a grand more(B-O-A-T lol) and a 330hp version would require disassembly to get the motor compatible with the bolt on goodies I would be looking at. It runs about 60 now with a 14.125/20 prop, but it seems pretty reved and strained and since I dont know the history I dont want to end my first boating season prematurely. End goal is 65-70 top speed with a comfortable 50mph cruise. If this is not a possibility with this hull/drive I will just freshen up this motor and start saving for a better platform. Thanks for the patience on the longwinded first post and for any help in advance.
1988 VIP vindicator- My first boat, I just moved to OK from CO, live 3/4mi from a boat ramp on Tenkiller lake, so I had to have a boat.
Couple things to start with
Anyone have reliable info on how much it weighs?
Bravo one drive, how much juice can it handle ?
454(330hp?) is a bit tired, It will last through this year no prob, but thinking of a rebuild this winter. Casting # does not definitively identify it as a 4bolt looks like I will find out this winter lol. If I get lucky, then I will handle the rebuild myself and can really finetune the output. If it is a female I wont waste the effort and will buy a rebuilt motor(4bolt maybe rec.port) from a supplier. I am pretty handy with a grinder and have built a few excellent street engines with oval port heads in the 400-425hp range, which is what I would think I should shoot for in this boat. If I have to buy a motor would the drive handle a 475hp Mag? I guess I am kinda stuck with the stock exhaust so the actual outputs may be less?
I dont know anything about the through hull ex. manifolds. The reason for a mag is its only a grand more(B-O-A-T lol) and a 330hp version would require disassembly to get the motor compatible with the bolt on goodies I would be looking at. It runs about 60 now with a 14.125/20 prop, but it seems pretty reved and strained and since I dont know the history I dont want to end my first boating season prematurely. End goal is 65-70 top speed with a comfortable 50mph cruise. If this is not a possibility with this hull/drive I will just freshen up this motor and start saving for a better platform. Thanks for the patience on the longwinded first post and for any help in advance.
#2
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Thread Starter
meh, 92 views and no love, guess my friends were right about boat people.
#4
Charter Member #601
Charter Member
I wouldn't put a lot of money in that 330hp motor for performance. Better off going to a 502 with good parts to begin with. The drive will need to be looked at to make sure it is setup correctly, but there again that old drive has weaker parts than a newer one. If it doesn't have a reservoir, then time to save for a better platform. Either way keep the budget in mind when trying to make this older boat meet your goals. I have no idea what the hull will tolerate or what gains can be had with it. My thought is, look for a 70 mph boat, in the mean time enjoy this one.
Hope that helps!
Dick
Hope that helps!
Dick
#5
Registered
iTrader: (6)
There are a whole lot of friendly and helpful people here but a statement like that won't get you any love. The "how much power can a Bravo drive take" question has been beaten to death and there is no definitive answer. Too many variables. Use the search function. I can't really offer help with your other questions but welcome to OSO and "boat people" are the best people!
#6
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iTrader: (1)
#10
Registered
Thread Starter
I wouldn't put a lot of money in that 330hp motor for performance. Better off going to a 502 with good parts to begin with. The drive will need to be looked at to make sure it is setup correctly, but there again that old drive has weaker parts than a newer one. If it doesn't have a reservoir, then time to save for a better platform. Either way keep the budget in mind when trying to make this older boat meet your goals. I have no idea what the hull will tolerate or what gains can be had with it. My thought is, look for a 70 mph boat, in the mean time enjoy this one.
Hope that helps!
Dick
Hope that helps!
Dick