Big power in a 38ZX
 

Anybody put decent HP in a 38ZX? Thinking about roughly 900 a side. I know the Bravos will have to go so with that said has anyone ever had anything else on the back of one of these things? sixes? Konrads? Would really like to loosen up the boat a bit, it runs high 70's right now with 525SC's but has always run very flat with 28" B1's or 27" Herring five blades spinning in. Kinda boring really although I'm not so sure i actually could loosen up a 12K pound boat:eek:

What about prop rotation, anyone have any luck spinning out? (the props that is :D)

I have put 700+ a side on a Daytona 38ZX and it runs 90 on modified Bravos. We also have a 38ZX that is running Whipple charged 540's in the 800+ range.

Forget the #6 drives unless you want to move the back seat forward! Konrads could work or Arnesons will work. Does your 38 have a notch transom?

no it does not have a notch. I agree theres no way the sixes would work as tight as that bilge is. I had thought maybe on boxes but even then it may be more hassle (and cost) then its worth. I forgot about the Arneson Bravo conversion, I have a friend that bought a pair for a 42 Fountain and they are really nice.

Spoke to Kurt (Konrad) many many times about their conversion and to be honest it sits at the top of my list.

What kind of speed do you see with the 800+ HP one? How are they at that speed? This things like a brick just under eighty, flattest running boat i have ever had.

if that guy with the formula 38 fastech can do it with arnesons....why cant you?

Could run your tranny in the Extension Box like Check300 does.

30 foot Checkmate, #6 drive and a 1,500 hp Turbo engine

Tripple digits extremely stable



Thanks
Jon

They run very stable at 90+. The boat with 800's does not have a notch or extension boxes so it is a little "Sticky" in the water runs about 90 also. With extension boxes it would run a little faster. Because of the Formula's performance and no notch on your boat the arnesons would must likely work great. We looked long and hard at doing the #6 conversion...with the engines side by side even using extension boxes we had hatch issues.

How similar is the bottom of the 38 ZX to the 38 ZRC?

Totally different Rik.

Fountain40icbm is right the bottoms are totally different..especially angle of attack. That said the 38 Formula and the 38ZX are very similar. I would love to see a 38ZX with real power and Arnesons!!!!!

Almost did Arnesons on my ZRC when I converted from Bravos but the #6's worked out great. After watching the SW1 boys in Europe Arnesons would have been fun.

I have two boats with the Arnesons in the P1 "Supersport" class in 2009'. Team 26 SW1 Capital (Who will be in KW this year) and the Team Baia. Team 26 won the most races but they lost a propeller in one race and a rocker arm in another (both while leading) and this took them out of the championship. Team Baia just over speed far to many times and this gave it to Team Seagul.

Only judging boat bottoms from a distance, I would think the Formula 382 and Donzi 38zx probably are similar, both big heavy boats with conservative stepped bottoms. I spoke with Rik about the Bravo/Arneson conversion on my 382 Formula 6 months ago. He said they had done 5 382 conversions all but one with bigger HP and they all performed well....you can probably use that data to get an idea of what to expect on a 38ZX. Based on the data I collected, I'm guessing 900HP/arnesons would put the boat near/just over the century mark.

cool, right now I'm narrowed down to either the Konrad Ace or the Arneson/Bravo conversion. A friend of mine here in Toledo got a pair or the Arneson conversions for a 42 Fountain he has and that package is nice.

Go fast, GO ARNESON:D

plus a bich'in roostertail :D

Rik is there any provisions to sling the trans in the extension box? I have no room to move the motors forward at all. Whatever i go with it has to work with the engine in stock location.

Do you have any brochures or tech bullitins on them? How do i go about getting pricing?

I would love to see a couple or Arneson's on a big ZX

You don't have to move the engines forward with the #7M's (aka Bravo Conversions). These are the first ones to put the tranny in the box that other's have copied. :D

You also would not tilt the drives, just straight up mounting.

Glassdave,

Lets Do it!!! The Arneson Conversion - over 100!!!!

Ted

I would look at the Konrads. Arneson would not be my choice on the 38ZX. Reasons. The 38ZX is not the same as a FasTech. The Donzi is a much higher hull, Agreesive steps and a wide girl compared to a Fastech. The Donzi has a 9'3" Beam and the Formula is 8'6" the Formula also has a lower center of gravity "more like a Cigarette" Also the ZX is very heavy in the Cabin area. You don't have much room in the engine compartment for Transmissions so that can be an issue. I had a 38ZX built with ITS and extension boxes and believe it or not did not gain speed, she lost speed. There was a Black 38ZX that was running 900hp each, he put Imco Extreme drives on I know she ran mid 90s but the drives were an issue due to her weight 11,500 dry she was more like 13,000. I don't think the hull design will get you over the 100 mark.

Just a bit of education. Of all the comparisons to a Formula, I fail to see any relevance to Arneson.

I do not need a boat to be like a Formula for the Arnesons to work as they work on the Cigarette's, Formula's, Donzi's, Skater's, Hustlers, Magnum's, Profile's, Fountain's, Scarrab's, etc. etc.. So this boat not being the same as a Formula means nothing as success has no relation to the Formula's themselves.

As for speed, the boat is what it is. A more efficient drive is not going to go slower than an less efficient one, especially when compared to the TRS style drive you mentioned.

I also fail to see any relevance to the engine room and transmission concern. You do realize that the transmission is needed with both choices? Not to harp but do you realize I am the one that first made the transmission in the box to save the engine room space that others have copied? :D

Dave, the better choice is the ASD-7's. Ive driven 3 boats with Arnesons, and somebody I know ( Hustler ) has big power to the drives with over 200 hours and no problem. The myths of backing in a slip or getting you're boat on a trailer is not correct.. they actually drive better than conventional drives. The only problem you might have is taking the time to get the right prop to get her dialed in..GOOD lUCK. JEFF

...Just for the record, the Konrad ACE package is not a TRS replacement drive. I've personally tested the ACE to 130 mph @ 8% prop slip. When installed at existing X-Dimentions, the ACE is 1" shorter than a std Bravo.

Kurt

True, but it is the same drive that the replaced the TRS from Konrad packaged on a box ala the "Bravo Conversion Kit"

good stuff guys, this hull i believe is reasonably efficient after all at her size it still touches eighty plus with 525's but i think it compounds quickly and hits a wall in the nineties. I dont need to break the century mark but would like to see another ten or fifteen mph.

I've been toying with this for a while and its going to need some freshening at some point motors are at 250hrs but still run great. Would like to start rounding up parts for something someday :D

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming. The 38Zx is a fantastic boat but i dont think it was designed to be much more then what it is. I honestly thinks its the best looking boat ever built (chicks dig it :D)

Kurt sea ya in Key west :cool:

38 Daytona Speeds
 

With our 38ZX Daytona package, were seeing top speeds in the high 70's with stock 500 EFI's. The lighter kevlar hull and the extension boxes do help. Now running lab finished 28 pitch props, wondering if changing would help any?

Nice talking to you again in Key West!:drink:

Oh and the chicks really dig the amenities this boat has to offer!!