alj

Yes I did use the aluminum heads but I am only fresh water. The headers I changed to are Imco powerflow for small block so clearance wasn't an issue. The imco's with their standard tailpipes were virtually a bolt in. I even used the 4" rubber exhaust hose cut down to about 6" long to connect the tailpipes to the transom tips. A ZZ4 through my Chevy High Perf dealer was about $3200. You can still get them for around $3500 if you shop a bit. It is set up for a carb application so EFI would be more. NOTE...a ZZ4 is a NEW engine with a one year warranty. Yes, Yes.... I know they aren't warrantied in a marine application but.... Like my dealer parts manager told me when I bought the engine " who's to say that you didn't have this engine in your 1974 Camaro if you blow it up? Just don't tell me it was in a boat!" I'm not too keen on reman anything. And aside frome steel heads and intake, what makes it a marine long block anyway? In a small block even the street cam should not cause reversion problems. I'll take new with 1 year warranty over reman anyday. I'm sure Pro-tec will argue the point to death but I researched the ZZ-4 long and wide before purchasing it. A Friend of mine who is connected at GM made a call to Perf Parts in Flint, Michigan. Bottom line is that GM doesn't sell those engines into marine applications for POLITICAL reasons. (read that - Mercury replacement business) Nuff said? My 02. ...Al J

Pismo10

There are more problems with an underpowered boat than just top speed. This boat must be a pig to plane off, esp with people on board. You must have to cruise at 3500+rpm just to go 30mph. Get a take out 454/502 Mag and bolt it in, you be much, much happier and mostly for things other than top speed.

Big Block Billy

Correct ! This boat really could use a big motor for torque . Fuel costs will be a little more depending on use of the boat. The boat will be very more enjoyable with a nice 454 You could even run an alpha with the 1.32 HD gears in the upper along with Gen 2 "Tractor" lower gears along with a non grooved driveshaft and the drive can easily handle 350 -400 HP if throttled properly. I had one on my 21' 454 Laser and could not kill it . Boat did 72 Mph .
There was a 242 on ebay apx 5 years ago that had 2 gen 5 454 330 Hp motors with alphas that went 75 Mph.
The motors looked like they were shoehorned in with the manifolds almost touching. It was probably a fun dependable boat, but you would probably have to pull a motor to do any work on it like changing a starter ! The boat went unsold for $7500 it was fresh water, I believe Michigan BBB

cuda

I saw what looked like a great deal on a 242 on the Boat Trader. I think it was about a 90 or so, 454 mag, looked in good shape on a newer trailer for $13,500. I'd like to have it.

Old floating bird

Cuda,
I'm looking for a Formula 260. It needs to have a cuddy. I think they began production in 2000 but I'm not certain. Can you verify that? I've looked at the vintage formula section of our OEM but I think I'm missing soemthing.

Anyway the '81 233 Interceptor (single 260 horse) will probably be for sale as soon once it comes out of the shop for a replaced drive coupler & trim gauge repair. I know you're in the process of thinning out your flock but if you find a 260 with a cuddy instead of an open bow, do let me know...

88242LS

Must have been my 88 Cuda anywayz my 242 ls 454/365mag runs and honest 55 pretty much no matter and ive seen her get to 59 me and low fuel I think if I had some chop i may have touched 60 but its a HONEST 55mph boat so if you look on BT and they say 65 you should move on because there already lying good luck and kep us posted

cuda

That must be it. It's just that a 242 would fit my needs better now since I moved, not to mention I have an HP 500 that's begging me to install it somewhere.

The speed limit on the St John's River where I live if 30 mph anyway, so 55 would be plenty. How many hours on the boat?

88242LS

cuda its between 7~800 forgot to look when I put it away i have a deposit and verbal for april 1rst weather permitting i'll keep u posted
sam