Cafe Racer Prop Set-up
 

I have a 1987 Cafe Racer that is in the process of a complete restoration. It would be nice to have 500's, but unfortuantely, I only have stock 400's with TRS's. Can anyone offer any opinion's as to what would be the best prop set-up to maximize her potential?

I'll certainly look good, but obviously won't be the fastest guy on the water. With that said, what do you think that I could expect out of her on a good day?

I've done the whole "blower" thing in the past, and even then, not the fastest guy on the water. Today, it takes an endless wallet to even be in the ball park of some of the guys out there. So, I've decided to go the bullet proof and reliable route. Married with kids now, so, as long as I look as good as everyone else, I'll get to where we're going.....it'll just take a little longer. LOL! ;)

I hear that and know where your coming from
=-Mike

I have been following your progress on the paint, boat does look great. Here is a link to the Bam speed calcualtor it puts your speed at 64mph. I good set of labbed props from BBlades will probably yield a little more. http://go-fast.com/boat_speed_predictions.htm

Hey! That's cool! Thanks. BAM just completed the transmissions for me.

I'm anxious to see how it's going to come together. Hopefully, by the end of next month. I'll post a link to YouTube once it's completed. I'm working on a DVD slide show with photos from beginning to end.

Where is the link to the paint?
-Mike

I haven't completed the DVD yet. I was waiting until the boat was 100% completed. So, it's going to be a couple of months before I finish it and upload it to YouTube.

If there are some type of photo's imparticular that you'd like to see, just let me know, and I'll post a few for you.

Thank just of transome dash and could you get a cleate size for me mine is covered with engines getting done then paint but want to order the pop up cleats. Ill ask a few guys around here on your set up , x-racers of this era
-Mike

Bow and Stern cleats are 8". The other four (mid) cleats are 6"

I figure a set of 4 blade 22's or 3 blade 23's would be great on her. Should see 63mph in freshwater, more in salt.

Thanks A i thought ur boat was the boat with the 1 in the transom. Hey what power/speed you running?
-Mike

Yeah, I've seen that one too. Can remember who's it was though.

I've got stock 400's. Not sure about the speed. Haven't had it in the water since I've owned it. :(

I figured that I wouldn't get much more than that. Oh well......that's okay. Just want to cruise and look good with the family. The days with a boat full of bikini's are over. :( LOL!!!

I heard that 4 blade wouldn't fare well with the TRS drives............as they we're designed with 3 blade cleavers in mind.

You have any pics of your cabin restoration?

Maybe some labbed 3 blades. Many places have demos you could try to get it dialed in. I know by todays standards mid 60's does not seem fast but remember you are driving around with a number 1 on the side of your boat which makes way cooler then most. There are quite a few little things you can do later on to increase speed.(roller rockers,crossovers,exhaust,cam change etc). I am also painting my boat right now, we are going to have to start a thread on all the Cafe's that have been redone. Where is Skramer he should start it.

A few photos of the tear out, and the installation of the foam padding to fill in all of the voids prior to the installation of the vinyl. They're still working on it, so I'll have some additional photos towards the end of the week.

One more...............

Cool photos. Do you think she'll be done by the time the Miami Boat Show rolls around? I'll trade you a ride on my dad's Intrepid for a ride on your Cigarette, haha.

Not sure, when is it? Really, it should have been done months ago.....IMO.

Sure....let's do it!! :)

February 11-15, so a little less than a month. I'll be visiting then and also for 10 days in March. Hope it works out to catch up. At the very least, I'll wander over to admire the progress if she's still at Hidden Harbour!! I see you live in Jupiter, it the boat headed there when it's completed?

The place that's working on the boat are actually going to do that........test with different props. I figured that I would do a little research on my own to share with them.

Your right about that! A Cigarette is a Cigarette, at the dock, they're all the same.......well.....you know what I mean. ;)

I can't wait to share all of the photos when the boat is done. I just wish that they'd finish the damn thing already. But, with that said, I'd rather that they took they're time, ya know?

I seriously doubt it'll be ready before the show.

She'll be there.........she damn near a permanent fixture there! LOL! Your welcome to check it out all you'd like.

Yep, she'll be headed up to the Jupiter Pointe Club and Marina once it's completed.

I was running Hydromotive Quad IV's 25 pitch on TRS drives on my Cafe prior to installing Konrads. I am supposedly pushing 500+ HP and they worked well. After switching to Konrads the "x" dimension went up. The Quad IV's wouldn't fit on the Konrad's spline anyway. Now I use Bravo 26's with good results. I still have the Hydromotive Quad IV's 25 pitch and you are more than welcome to see if they work (or not work) for you. They have a solid hub. Shoot me a PM if you want to try them.

Skramer what power and speed for you. Hey A a cigs a cig and i like the idea of the redone cafe thread im well on my way right now just keep writing checks but loving the outcome so far keep it up boys.
-Mike

502 ci Never dynoed, 600+ hp bravo one drives 77mph with 4 blade 26's. ( @ 5600rpm ) Have seen 79mph with 3 blade 27's. Saw 80.6 mph with 2" shorties ( boat wasn't the same. ) took them off. My brother had a 35 mistress with 440 hp and trs drive it would run 65mph with 3 blade 21's he switched to 4 blade 22's and had the same results.

I run wieand 177 blowers on a set of 502's. I estimate is it just shy of 600hp - I run 4 blade 26's. I think with light fuel and in some decent chop it is a 75mph boat. 5100-5200rpm.

Thanks im shootin for mid 80's trs 540/750 with mirage 3 blade 27's or bravo 4's 26
-Mike

Has anyone tried any Maximus props on these hulls with Bravos? I was thinking that they may help free the hull up.

Thats some big power Mike! Are you beefing up the trannies and drives?

10 disk carbon trannies bigger shaft drives vertical shaft that is. 9.8/1 540 331 world heads hydo roller 731 triple spring dart intakes gil 4.5 dry pipes 1150 dom's aero pumps.
-Mike
i have the factory velvet drive 7 disk 72's they will be fresh this weekend clutches seals bearings and paint

my 87 with 496HOs and bravo drives ran 4 blade 26" props at 5000 rpm. speed was just shy of 70 mph.

I know this isn't how the thread started, but, some of you had asked.......so......here are some additional photos of the cabin work.

Man, that's turning out great!!!!

Hey AJ or anyone, done anyting with the switch panel just infront og the v birth?
-Mike

Not yet, but it's on the list. It'll be done before the boat hits the water.

Thank you! Much better than the old, stained and stinky fabric!