chris21hope

Guys,

I've had a ton of great times in my 33' Scarab, but blew a motor last August. Dave Wesseldyke is going to build me some solid power out of the existing HP500s, boring them out to 540s and churning out around 575hp per side. Considering I was getting 80mph before, what will this extra 100hp get me? Also, are there any guys running a similar setup? If so, what props are you using?

DirtyMoney

Mid eighties. What ratio drives? I recommend 2" shorties and boxes.
Since you have a stock set up can you show me your drive height? Bottom of transom assembly to bottom of hull will be fine.

chris21hope

Thanks for the help, DirtyMoney. I wish I could get you that info, but the boat is in storage for the winter. I'm pretty nervous about my bravos and am thinking of upgrading to X or XZ drives anyway. Are you running extension boxes and shorties on your Scarab? With what power?

MILD THUNDER

iTrader: (3)

My buddy had Dave turn his 502 Mags, into 540ci, they made around 575hp. Going from 415hp per side, to the 540 setup, he gained about 8mph, from 73mph to 81-82mph, but he also added shorties at the same time i believe. That was reusing his GM/MERC heads.

I can tell ya, at the traverse city fun run, I met a guy who had a 33 AVS. Knowing that most of them had either 502 mags, or HP500's, I ran along side him for a while. Next thing I know we are doing 85mph, and he's starting to pull away. I was like wtf?

Turned out he has stock HP500's, with Blower shop 250 billet blowers on them. lol, He said he gets around 92 with it. Stock drives at the moment, but he may be upgrading. Anyhow, boat ran very well. My guess is he was around 625HP per side.

abones

Yeah I remember that boat it was Bad A$$, a real sleeper, I don't remember what pitch prop he was running, but real great people! maybe he will see this and chime in!

chris21hope

Nice! 92 would be sweet, although I'm not looking at blowers at this time. By 'stock' drives, I'm thinking you're referring to bravo ones? That would be good to hear since I'm a little worried about how mine will hold up.

A friend of mine is suggesting Bravo X or XZs, or even IMCO SCXs. I'd rather wait to save up some more cash next offseason if I can, but don't want to have constant problems this summer!

DirtyMoney

I ran mid 80's with around 575hp on stock bravos for about 6 years with no problems. I upgraded to XR's and engines are now 598's making 750hp. Still playing with props but have seen 94 so far. These boats are tough to get big speed increases without set up. The handling is the biggest thing you would notice with shorties and boxes. The difference is amazing.

chris21hope

Thanks again for your help. I'm surprised you didn't have any drive issues, but that's good to hear. Did you take it easy getting on plane? Or just baby it in general?

I'll have to look into boxes and shorties...

DirtyMoney

Always east getting on plane but never babied running.

gary20099formula

Hey Chris i am the one that was looking to buy your boat last year when u where selling i had my buddy bill go look at it well i ended up finding a cheap repo deal in ozarks.. Nehow i installed my 500hps with 250 blower shop blowers making 675hp per and bravo x drives... with 32p bravos no problems with drives or engines. The best i seen on gps on app on my phone was 92. This year we are adding AFR 315 machined heads to hlp cool engines and get better airflow obviously save the life of the block with a teardown next year i would assume if i cam up.... But that is my current setup and what my speeds where and everything was great boat handles like on rails at that speed even in rough water.