looking for speed
 

i just came into the wide wonderfull world of owning a baja. i named her "LIQUID DREAMS". i have a 1991 baja 260 with a mercruiser 7.4 liter motor. it is equipt with a bravo 1 @ the stern with a mirage 3 blade with 21 degree's of pitch. i have had her for one season. this winter im looking to do some upgrades. i'm trying to get more speed. now with a full tank of fuel i'm doing 56 mph on gps. where is a good place to start. im open to any suggestions.

If your not hitting your rev limit, try a mirage 23. A four blade may help also if your getting slip.
only other option is start adding power. Just remember it get expensive once you start.

Congrats! Sounds like a nice boat with a great name.

A prop might help a little but the best advice...

Be happy with what you have and save for a new boat. Then repeat, then repeat, etc. You will be much further ahead upgrading boats that already go faster then upgrading yours.

If you do upgrade yours you might as well just buy a good used engine, drive, and hydraulic steering. Which would prob be worth more then the boat. So you could keep them when you sell it and install in your next boat.

Where are you located by the way?

Welcome to the wonderful world of OSO:)
 

Offshore Ex is right on the money here. Esactly what you should do.

Don't mess about with the 7,4, it's not worth it. If a Magnum, it would have been a bit different. Your motor has all cast internals, and is not a good candidate for upgrades. The only good part for upgrading is the block. Whatever you do, DON'T supercharge it. Save up for a faster boat, or find a nice take-out 500HP, 500EFI, 525SC, 525EFI or 575SCI,

? Do you mean "If you're on the limiter?" If he's in the rpm band and not on the limiter, a higher pitch prop and especially a 4 blade won't help much, if anything.

New props and prop labbing can be a very "cheap" way to gain speed. What are your current numbers with the 21"? Your motor should run between 4200-4600 rpms. With the deep drive on that boat, you won't get a speed increase with a 4 blade over a 3 blade.

Current top GPS speed @ ? rpm's?
Drive gear ratio?
X-dim or prop shaft centerline depth?
State of bottom?

Congratz btw:drink: Put up some pics.

+1 one with the above.

Sell your motor as a take out and replace with another.

money and aggrivation ahead in the end !!!

Yep sell your stock 454, find something like a 500 - 600 hp engine. Then get a new prop. You could also look at a shortie to raise the X.

The 260 is a great lake boat. Lots of room for it's size. Just needs a bigger motor if you have the need for speed. Many times I wish I had just kept my 260 and bought a bigger motor. We loved that boat for tubes.

If you do your 454, you'll be @ 10-15 grand fast, if you want decent reliable power.
Remember tihs. "High Hp, Reliable, Cheap. Pick two."

Something like this would be a nice motor for the 260. Give Randy @ Cobra a call and make an offer.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o42419-en.html

I don't know what is included in this one, but it might be a great candidate for a custom project.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o42480-en.html

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i'm in pittsburgh pa "GO STEELERS". thanks for all the advice. i started looking at all the options. i will probably ponder this over for a couple weeks. i already was going to change the prop. i have a bunch of mechanics in the family. new topics of conversation as we eat the bird in a couple weeks. ill check back to see if anyone else has any recomendatrions.

I had the same boat. I stroked mine to a 496 with Merlin heads and got to 70mph running a 25 3 blade...Just not a fast hull. Good solid boat though with lots of room!