1973 28
 

Just purchased a 28 last night just wondering how much hp it would take to push it to 70mph? Its a prodject boat and has twin 406 smallblocks in it . Owner was in the process of converting over to Bravo drives when i purchased it. Keep it twins or convert it to a single?

keep the small blocks,if you change to a single bb you change the whole center of gravity and balance of the boat,i would leave it alone and enjoy it,good luck

a pair of 400hp 383s should get you to 70.

Thanks . I was leaning toward the smallblocks anyway. Gonna check the 400s out tonight to see if they run. Never heard of to many people installing 400s in boats . Not a huge fan of them . The previous owner stated they are 410hp a piece? We all know how that goes! LOL

Put a straight edge on the bottom last 10'. Make sure it's true.
A Lot of speed can be lost if the boat has a hook in it which it probably does.

28 ss
 

I have twin 383s a little over 500hp each it got up to and passed 70 easliy.

400hp. w/TRS's will get you to 70. The last time I re rigged mine I used aluminum heads and intakes w/ SM exhaust. It took a ton of weight out of the bilge and completely FUBARED the center of gravity.

mine were super reliable . 400 + hp got 78-80 on a gaffrig in my 28. A good balance job and a fluid damper or ati balancer is nessecary.

So as long as i dont try to re-invent the wheel i will reach my goal? Keep it basic nothing fancy 400hp each and i will have it? And keep the iron heads for weight?

I'd go aluminum. I only had Nordskog back in the day, but I had twin 406 pushing just over 400HP / TRS / Hydromotives and ran around an indicated 75. Good advice on checking the hook, as I had to correct that as well.

Post some pics!

Be careful with aluminums as far as weight like Thrill said, he said his does not handle near the same as before... a couple hundred pounds can change a lot

Was it the one that was on CL half apart? I saw it last week on there...

yes in New Jersey.

Going to pull the motors Saturday. Got the motors to turn over .Thats always a good sign!

Nice project!!

Let me know if you would part with that Cig steering wheel cap. Been hunting one for my 20.

Had a 1974 with 355ci, steel heads, Stainless Marine Dry Exh, about 425HP. TRS drives mounted high from the factory (touching the SS rub rail) w/ 3 blade Hydromotives. Ran 75 GPS loaded down with fuel and 5 people.

Sounds like it wont take much to reach my goal then. The previous owner glassed in the transom and raised the drives pretty close to the rub rail. Not sure if his work that was done is ok or not . Going to pull the engines and take it to a reputable shop near me and have them check the transom out and repair it as necessary and the engines need to be moved back and up to line up with the new drives . I have a prodject on my hands ! LOL. Love the looks of these boats though. It will be worth it .

If i am not mistaking with the higher x dim. this is going to put my exhaust above the rub rail correct? I plan on using SM exhaust. the boat currently has some type of log manifolds on it currently that litterally goes straight out of the back.

This is a very cool project...please post some pics when you can.

At this point in the project you may consider going with a pair of 6.0 LQ9 long blocks. The LQ9 is the HO engine that was used in the Escalade from 2002~2006. It has an iron block with decent aluminum heads...6 bolt main bearing caps. Salvage yards have these things and even with a mild cam upgrade on a marine re-build you will easily have your 400+ HP and a seriously fat TQ curve.

Just a suggestion for consideration.

The 28's were hot in the 70's and were used by more than a few Off Shore Racing teams. Great big water boats and can run all day 60+ in the rough stuff. You WILL see 70+ with 800+ HP in the water:evilb:

My drives were as high as they could go without carving into the flare of the hull and my exhaust is still below the rubrail. Brownie made the risers fairly long and used a set of 45 degree elbows to make the final jog at the transom. I've seen them go both ways. Dangerous Dave ran his above the rubrail and it looks awesome.

I raced two 28's in the late 70's

First race built 1976 28 280 trs boat ran 64 on its best day. Built to be a p class boat !st GA race boat.

2and one in 1979 I built it lighter with higher X. Ran out of the factory 65. Took it home & worked the bottom & a few other tricks. Nothing to do with the stock engines & picked up 5 mph. The work was done by Rogers Speed shop in Brick N.J. where I lived.
Great boats I have had 3 28's.

1st 28 I bought used it had hot rod 350's with Volvo 270 T's with speedmaster lowers.
It would only run 60 on a good day but it was a full pleasure edition, it was a 1974 & heavy.

As I said before the bottom is a big speed killer if it's not straight. And out of the factory they weren't.

Had a 73' with 350 small blocks with bravos and ran tops 69mph. I think Ted messed with the motors and got up to 74mph. I believe he added 80hp to each motor. Fun boat!!!

:worthless_without_p

What was a 28' exactly...was it a hybrid extension of the 233? I have never seen one and they don't appear in the old brochures.

this was mine

Enlighten me on this added HP that Ted might have put in said boat.

Buck

If you were at 74 that puts me at 75-76. ;)

That's what I was thinking too! There must be a hidden button somewhere on my boat that the previous owner didn't tell me about. :whistle:

Buck

I've also got a 1973 28 Cig. It's in good shape but needs some work.

For sale?

Guess I'm wrong! Sorry I thought Ted told me in Miami that he was sending them to his guy in Cleveland??? My bad Buck! Hope all is well and you're having a good season.

CJ

Best I saw with labbed props was 69

Nuwave has a trade in deal where u can trade in the tired 350 mpi for carb 357

That will put her at 72-74

All good my man, all good. To be honest, I was hoping you were right. :)

Had a great season with her. This boat has turned out to be far better than I had imagined when I committed to it. I honestly thought I was settling when I purchased it. The end result couldn't be further from my initial thoughts. She does some amazing stuff for her age and power.

There's a few little things eating at me about her cosmetics. Hoping to make some upgrades to her for the next owner to appreciate. Gonna see in the next couple months if my ideas work out or not.

For the record, I think I may still owe you a meal or possibly a few drinks. Next time we cross paths you have credit with me. ;)

Buck

Nah I'm going to hold on to her. It's in storage for now.

Yes, I had dry SM risers out the cap, over the rub rail. The flared area of the hull, under the rub rail, was modified/removed at the factory to allow the top of the TRS transom assy to mount even with the bottom of the rail.

I'll try to find and scan an old picture.

Cool! I think that looks pretty cool. That is the route i want to go.

Do I need to prep my shop?

Not yet. I'm leaning towards the other side of her right now.

Buck

You should do something cool to the front of the boat. I want to see something nice when I turn around and look behind me when I'm WOT!! Post some pics already before you yank the engines. I might swing by Wed evening if your working on it.

LOL! We will see!

Posted for HOP

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...006/photo5.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...6/photo4-1.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...6/photo3-1.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...006/photo1.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...6/photo2-2.jpg