Stinger 222 - Where I'm up to now...
 

Well, I suppose it's time for an update or an unveil of sorts.

I've been working on this thing for nearly a year but haven't been able to commit nearly the amount of time to it as I would have liked because of work. Suffice to say, it has taken time but I got there, finally.

To date, my Stinger has received the following upgrades:

-468CI Gen VI BBC, Crane 731 Cam, modified Vortec heads, Hypereutectic dome top pistons, Victor jnr Intake, EMI Thunder Exhaust and risers. 10.3:1 Comp with a BG Demon 750cfm carb, MSD Pro Billet Dist, MSD HVC NASCAR ignition. Aeromotive SS Series Marine Fuel pump, Filter Block and water separator + Aeromotive inline 40 micron Filter, Custom Motor Mounts, Modified accessories brackets, Modified Dooley 14qt Sump with Moroso Pick Up, Melling HV/HP 10778C HP Oil Pump. Approx ~530hp.

-Bravo 1 Drive, Billet Marine Top Cap / Shower combo. Ron Hill Signature Series 5 Blade Prop, Flow Torque 2 hub.

-Imco Single Ram external Hydraulic Steering with IMCO single arm drive back plate. Eaton Hydraulic Helm, GM Perf PS Pump.

-Gil Offshore 18" Oil Cooler, Canton Oil Adaptor, -AN12 Oil lines & Aeroquip fittings.

-All new wiring for nearly everything. If it didn't get replaced or removed, it's because I had no idea what it was for!

So, now that it's all together and working (sort of), my drive goes down but not up, my power steering is taking me forever to fill and bleed, the lights don't work, the bilge blower light says it's on even though I removed the bilge blower, the nav lights don't work yet and the trailer tilt switch doesn't work either. I haven't even gotten started on the trailer yet! (Though it doesn't need much thankfully.)

All that having been said, I'd like to say a warm and heartfelt thanks to all who have provided me with such sage advice and assistance. Fastlane40, TomZ, Fenderjack, Daredevil, Whtnordic, MC-BOYS, AIR-TIME, everyone, Thanks! :drink:

If you're ever down-under, I owe you! :coolcowboy:

My wife hasn't left me yet either so it's been worth it!

Thanks again,
John

Now, some pics:

Very nice
 

nice work John, Looks very clean.. install and rigging. What kind of speed are you seeing with it? and how does it handle? I have the same boat and also have its big brother (the 34').

Looks good John and welcome to the wiring nightmare i thank you for the wiring diagram that helped me out with my own. I'm in the middle east right now and hoping to post some more detailed pictures of my project when i get home. again thaks for the help you gave me.

Love the Stingers from small to big, nice job!
I would be careful with the hyper pistons and 10.3 compression.
Carry couple gallons of race gas to mix with the crappy fuel usually sold on the water in case you need to fuel up on the water.

Thanks for the compliments lads.

Engine is still teething and getting broken in. When ready, I hope to top 80mph comfortably (and safely).

I'm also hoping that any chine walking issues at +60-70mph are negated or minimised at least by the addition of the hydraulic steering.

Once she's all dialed in and I'm happy, I'm going to start building my next motor; a Gen VI 525SCI of sorts which I'm planning on scraping about 800hp out of. It's at that point I'll look at upgrading the drive lower to a -2" shorty and put IMCO gears in. Until then though, I just want to sort out all the issues and get her purring just right before I do anything nuts!

I have a local engine builder who swears to me he can make me a Naturally Aspirated 1000hp 632CI BBC (on race fuel), who says too much is never enough? :drink:

Man! I think 800-100hp is WAY too much for that hull. If you're not satisfied with your current boat and power, I would say (of course this is only my humble opinion) to sell your boat with current power and look for a 25-30 footer to put a mega single in. I Have owned a 202 and a 222 and don't think that a Stinger can take it and be safe.

Good luck with the project and keep us posted.....interesting reading....

Looks great man, nice list of mods and hardware... I think any boat at 80 mph up is walking on ice when it is that small, but hey it is for the thrill.. I can say that my boat gets a lil loose at about 65-70 but if you have the balls to drive threw it it comes to settle down very nice again.... Again nice looking stingy ya got.
John Jr

man i need to get mine home and get some work done on it and maybe finnaly splash the thing! :(

I know the feeling! :lolhit:

It's good to get it done though!

I now need a new battery, all my cranking, testing, starting and stopping with my old one have killed it beyond a point I'm happy to trust it any more.

It never ends! :evilb:

I wish I could get a larger hull, problem is, I live in Australia and there really isn't that much to go around. I found a Baja dealership near my home but 1) I don't like Baja 2) They cost a fortune down here! My last boat did a lazy 105mph and it was only 18ft, but it was a Sanger Drag hull race boat and my wife wouldn't go near it (not after the first time anyway!) Nothing is 'safe' at speed if you crash, I guess the trick is not too!

I really want a Chris Cat, a Warlock Cat or a Stinger 39, (or all three!) but cest la vie, I'll get there one day!

No it never does end...i have changed my mind on this thing a half dozen times on what way i want to go with it and it has yet to hit the water since i bougt it!!!!! :eek:
Hey Ghost, do the side panels fit on each side of the engine with a BBC in the bay? looks tight. If they dont then i'll have to go back tot he SBC route since i will need the back seats for passengers.

And your electrical problems sound simple:
the drive up/down issue is probably the solenoid gone bad.
the bilge blower liught sounds like you have the wires on the back of the switch on the wrong terminals.
Your Nav lights work on the gray wires....its too bad your so far away...if you were in my neck of the woods i could probably have it all fixed for ya in under an hour. :)

:drink:The side panels fit fine. It's tight but they don't touch or rub on the manifolds, I just won't plan on sticking my arm down there. Besides, it's dead easy to get them in and out so why try? I still have yet to figure out how the back pads / panels stay on at speed? I'm debating whether or not to run a velcro strip along the outer edges or something? I'd hate to lose one over the side! They fit alright but I never trust anything not strapped down.

I'm going to try swapping the solenoid on the pump up for down and see if that works.

Cheers!
John

my sunpad is held on with big industrial style velcro.
Doesnt even budge.

Mine also has some heavy duty velcro strips on the sides....i want to replace it but cant find the stuff!!! Its not the typical shagy carpet stuff but some hard plastic "nubs" on both strips that interlock to each other...anyone have ideas?

I'm going to start looking for velcro. If I find anything like you've described, I'll let you know too.

I fixed the drive trim problem (sort-of). The trim switch which I disconnected just needed the signal wire put to power. Only problem is now the trailer switch works without the need to hold the trim in as well. But it works!

I'm not 100% confident on these ear muffs for water input you put on drives. Anyone have any other ways? Reason I ask is I'm only running the raw-water pump and not the circ pump as well. I don't want to over stress it.

Sweet!

That's a lot of juice for that boat. I haven't read everything, but if you add k-planes you'll be safer.'

Btw... the trailer switch works in tandem with the up switch for trim. You need to press both to get the drive to go up.

Happy hunting!

Well, she's up and running again. Why oh why did I buy MSD? Had the whole ignition set up perfectly, only to be let down by the ign box / coil. Had the MSD HVC NASCAR set up in there and couldn't get the stupid thing running. Swapped it out for my old spare Crane HI-6N out of my old race boat and she fired straight away! Why did I ever bother with the MSD ignition?

Now, I've decided to try and find a Crane HI-6M and have done with it. I'm not confident I can get the advance curve right with the 6N and my distributor.

The exhaust leaks at the tips on the inside of the transom, the dash mouted fuel pressure gauge doesn't work, the drive trim still only goes up on the trailer switch and down on the trim switch but that's boating isn't it! It wouldn't be fun without a challenge or 20!!

I'm also going to make up a large one-piece fibreglass hatch / cover for the entire back section with no padding and a molded in scoop so if I ever decide to race it in production class or anything, I won't have to worry. Now all I have to do is teach myself how to fibreglass!

looks great its been a long time since i posted on here but still working on my 222 also just about done ,just need a helm now. IT REALLY SUCKS to put so much into a 222 stinger not a hole lot of room once you put a intercooler k planes ,pumps fuel reg. steering bottle ect in the back wraped around a big block with headers trust me it sucks. lol

Yes, I can imagine how much that would suck. In fact, I lose sleep at night thinking about how hard it must be to know your Stinger has a supercharger on it and mine doesn't! I do know where you're coming from though, I put the sides and lid back on mine and quickly realised how little room I've got left! Damn you and your Supercharger!!! :lolhit:

Anyway, here's one for the brains trust:

I don't have an electric hatch actuator / lift so I've made up a bracket set to fit a gas strut in there. Now, I have to figure out a neat and simple way to keep the hatch closed. Any idea's???

I still haven't had any luck on the velcro either. Damn Google! Anyone know of any supplier up there I may be able to order online from?

Stinger 222 speeds
 

I have a 1987 222 bbc factory best i have ever seen is 65mph gps I want 78mph all day gps I think a 500efi will do it.any body have good acurate speeds for this boat please tell me horse power and prop you are use

If you want to do 78mph all day, first things first, get a Bravo 1 or XR to handle it. Get a hydraulic steering kit too, you'll need it, trust me!

To hit 75-80 mph, HP dependant and B1 gear ratio dependant, you'll need a 24 - 26 pitch prop. I run a Mirage Plus 25P with 1.5 gears, standard lower and a 4.5" X-Dimension. When I get it back in the water with the new cam and carb, it will do 85 - 90 mph (I hope). The previous owner once had a supercharged 502 (stock, carbed - low boost blower) motor in this boat with the Alpha 1 on it and said it went 70+ easy but never had a GPS Speedo. I think he ran a 32P Bravo 4 blade with the 1.82 Alpha gears.
I have a 24P Bravo I'm yet to try but I'll let you know which one's better, the 25P Mirage+ or the B1.

Like I tell everyone: Post Pics, we love to see them!

For the hatch... I saw a similar set up on a Sea Ray the other day, except the boat's configuration was a little different than ours. I was thinking that you could get a pair of latches that would hold the hatch down on the sides under the jump seat pads. Take a hinged latch and attach to the bottom of the engine hatch (female) and then attach the male side to the engine cover panel.

Velcro... I get mine from the local hardware supply store (Home Depot here). They seem to have all kinds available.

Later,
Tom

stinger speeds
 

I want to start a thread intitled Stingers Speeds i dont know how to do it.I am restoreing my stinger.I hope with 475hp at the prop i can hit 78gps.I am not a big baller.i dont have a lot of money.it is time for my stinger to come alive.And pics i dont have.I have had her 12yrs and will never sell it.I have the 330hp engine factory and thats it.I am in the process of finding a barvo1 xr orxz or bravo 1 drive my name is chris i would love to talk to some of you ghuys and pic your brain about this boat by phone.my number is 817-903-6661 call me anytime day or night i will wake up and talk i am going to dump a lot of money in a dream and i want this boat to be pefect.the speed is very important.I would love 82gps but i dont have that kind of money to spend.

Stinger Speeds
 

How Fast have you guys gotten Stinger 222's up to that are safe and acurate speeds.

77.2 on GPS with a 383 small block. I'm using an all-aluminum top end with aluminum manifolds and stainless risers. At the time... spinning a 25P Mirage+.

I decided to change the look of things somewhat...

I wasn't happy with the stock rocker covers and the flame arrestor. I also changed to Corsa exhaust tips which are a bit longer with the spiral baffles.

I plan on adding twin breather hoses plumbed to a central puke tank mounted just up behind the motor in the near future too, as it stands, there's no vents or breathers in the new covers, which could be a bad thing!

Also just swapped to a Crane HI-6M so that should help with my timing issues.

What are your thoughts on the new look? :drink:

I like it!!

Hey? can you get some more detailed shots of stuff? Dash, cuddy, etc.? I'm trying to see the differences between different Stingers of the same model.

BTW... I really like the scoop! I may do the same with mine.

-Tom

No drama's, I have plenty!

My plan is to redo the dash with all white face, black or white rim gauges in the near future too.

I've made up all new foam for the front cusions, I'm just getting new covers done too, these ones are a bit old.

How's yours going?

John

Everything is back together. I just need to make a few adjustments here and there, and throw some bilgekote on the wood in the foot wells under the equipment locker/battery house. The seats installed in two completed sets... front seats/arm rests, then the equipment locker. All of my vinyl was good as was most of the foam, I just added a little to the bottoms. Every piece of wood has been remade and epoxied.

Thanks for the pics! She looks good, mate!

-Tom

They look kinda the same... but still different!

My dash is a little different (I'm assuming you remade your gauge pod). I have large gauges on the top and small directly under (above the helm). I also have toggles for all my switch gear.

I do not have grab handles for the passengers (going to remedy that asap!).

My cuddy is all gray, and instead of vinyl, everything is cloth.

Interesting differences, huh?

-Tom

- I've seen pics of the grey cloth, too dark for me, the white makes that cabin feel a lot bigger (except for that damn doorway!)

But the mail came so I'm now happy!!!

So I had the timing 180deg out when I put the dist back in, so I screwed up the firing order on # 3 and 5, so I forgot to tighten the float bowls on the carb and pissed fuel everywhere...

There's just something soothing about putting this ignition system on, knowing it's going to be good!

RPM Air Gap, Crane Gold Rollers and Holley 850HP D/P on their way too. Should be fun! My wife's going to kill me! :drink:

:evilb:

Hey Ghosty,love the scoop and the dash.
How do you put one of those little devil things on?

You should have showed me when you were up

Hey 'Fasty'
You should love it, they're yours!!!

The little devil is just one of the smilies on the advanced reply options, I think he's funny!

Can you send me pics of those CMI's?

How'd the timing adjustment go?
I'm still trying to sort out timing and tuning the new carb in.

It's never ending!

Testing today on the water.Will get you some pics.
Hope i got it right.

Air Gap!!
 

The second Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap I've bought arrived this week! Cost less than half of what the first one did because I bought this one off Ebay!
(The first one I bought turned out to be a rectangle port when it arrived!)

It's been fully Felpro Gasket matched and somehow via the magic of technology, all the runners have been fully CNC ported and polished, on the inside of the manifold, how the Hell do you do that?? Anyway, the manifold was brand new in the box with this porting voodoo. Couldn't be happier!

Add the 2" spacer and it looks sexy too!

I'm ordering a set of Teague tall breathers for the covers today too.

It's good to see all the old Stingers making a comeback!! I'm still trying to convince my wife to let me try and find and import a 390x or a 410!

If you don't hear from me again, it's because she's killed me and fed me to her miniature maltese!:evilb:

Nice Stinger John! I'll be keeping in touch. I know I'll have a bunch of questions !

Of all the Random things to do...

I wound up with a labbed LH Bravo 1 24P via the magic of Ebay so I thought I'd give it a try.

Boat wound out to a best of 71 mph (GPS) at 5200 rpm with a headwind before I hit some rough stuff and backed off. Easy jump up on a plane and steady as a rock. I love that prop! I think about 75mph is quite possible given the right conditions. 70 was easy with 3 people on board and a half tank of fuel. Especially given the headwinds!

I only wish I'd listened to Fastlane40 at first when he said to get a Bravo 1 initially, rather than the 5 blade, 3 blade Mirage + and the Rev4!

Oh well, live and learn.