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-   -   2004 28 zxo (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/donzi/346729-2004-28-zxo.html)

StewLow 05-25-2017 07:13 PM

The trim limits either are defective or not set properly. They have two limits. One limits the height for trim while running; the other is for the max up for trailering.
You should have a rocker switch that is labled "trailer".
That should bring drive all the way up. Also could be defective switch.
If your boat is a salt water boat. You will experience niggly electrical things.
Cheers
Stew

JRalston 05-25-2017 07:49 PM


Originally Posted by StewLow (Post 4557160)
The trim limits either are defective or not set properly. They have two limits. One limits the height for trim while running; the other is for the max up for trailering.
You should have a rocker switch that is labled "trailer".
That should bring drive all the way up. Also could be defective switch.
If your boat is a salt water boat. You will experience niggly electrical things.
Cheers
Stew

Thanks Stew! Tried to call the other day but the signal was busy. Waiting on the prop guy to tell me what they look like and hoping get a fix.

StewLow 05-25-2017 08:26 PM

Ok. Does your phone number end in 9740? If so I'll call you tomorrow.
A few years ago I bought a complete dash panel from Donzi direct because you can't buy the style of Livorsi gauges anymore.
If you need anything let me know

JRalston 05-26-2017 10:16 AM


Originally Posted by StewLow (Post 4557176)
Ok. Does your phone number end in 9740? If so I'll call you tomorrow.
A few years ago I bought a complete dash panel from Donzi direct because you can't buy the style of Livorsi gauges anymore.
If you need anything let me know

No sir, my number 437-1733 in the seven O four area code. Im thinking about replacing the gauges with vesselview or something similar.

VetteLT193 05-29-2017 03:51 PM

Big blocks were supposededly tested by the factory and sucked. Weight was the issue. Whipples will fix the power issue on small blocks.

Our boats have a pad in the back so chine walk shouldn't be an issue with the right props.

Mirage plus are the fastest but pretty bad for planing and cruising.

StewLow 05-29-2017 05:01 PM

Thank you. I've heard that about the big blocks but haven't been able to verify it. I don't know if it's folk lore or truth. The difference in weight is 600lb total. About the weight of four adults across the back seat. I can't imagine it would make that much difference.
I had a Z29 I put 502 with bravos in. It's a very light boat and was quite the weapon. But handled the power.
Do you have much experience with whipples?

VetteLT193 05-30-2017 11:30 AM


Originally Posted by StewLow (Post 4557925)
Thank you. I've heard that about the big blocks but haven't been able to verify it. I don't know if it's folk lore or truth. The difference in weight is 600lb total. About the weight of four adults across the back seat. I can't imagine it would make that much difference.
I had a Z29 I put 502 with bravos in. It's a very light boat and was quite the weapon. But handled the power.
Do you have much experience with whipples?

I don't have personal experience with whipples but I know they have been used on the 28 hull successfully. There is a whippled scorpion running low 100's. For our boats I'd personally prefer a centrifugal setup (i.e. procharger) because we really don't need the area under the curve increased that much down low. However based upon what everyone and their brother is stating for the last few years procharger's packaging doesn't hold a candle to Whipple. Everyone has told me to go whipple hands down. The Scorpion boat that was whippled had a reported power of 550 per side, the 6.2 mpi goes up to 500 per side because of the lower compression. The 350 Mag gets up to 450 which is pretty respectable.

I think the weight issue with the big blocks is just a straw on the camel's back issue. The 28 hull, from the rub rail down, is the same as the 27 ZX hull. It was built for a single big block and there are a few 27's out there with big power running very well. So it went from an engine in the 1200 pound range to a pair at 1700 ish pounds. Bump that again to 2400 pounds and the bottom gets too far out of balance.

MullenTJ86 05-30-2017 11:42 AM

I would highly recommend the whipples if you have extra $$$ around and need to stay in a 28' boat, but if you're looking to make your 28zx run 90+, spend your money on a bigger boat. I don't think I'm the only owner of a whippled scorpion, but I can tell you that pushing the 28zx (twin step) over 80 becomes a handful and not something easily done. The claim that the 377's whippled can break 100, not sure who threw it out there, but I have only been able to push mine to 84 with 5psi of boost. I'm sure I could get a few more mph out of her but there's never calm enough water with long enough runs to get her there. And I'm sure a tune could help get more power too, but again, it comes back to the hull and IMO a 28'zx isn't made to go above 80. She can run all day in the mid 70's, but if you want 80+...look at the 35ZR. That's where I am at now.

StewLow 05-30-2017 05:08 PM

Thank you all for your reply. Goal is to run high 70's comfortably. The 28 is the perfect size for where I boat. As much as I aspire to a 35ZR I have too much going on to warrant the expense with a lousy Cdn dollar.
My buddy had a 28 with Holley blowers. His sun races in F1 He's a great driver. and could hardly hang on to the 28 at 80+ as you've said.
Im assuming you've had a good experience with the whipple chargers??
i just want a little more go. Wife says it's fine. She has two engineering degrees and still doesn't get the hp thing.
Again. Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated.

MullenTJ86 05-30-2017 06:33 PM

I bought mine in the winter of 2015, had to replace a blower in 2016, but no other issues....yet. That expense was enough for a few years if you ask me.

JRalston 05-31-2017 07:42 AM

I know I'm very new into my boat but have thought when it is time to "freshen" the 350's to bump them to 383's and gain more hp. Any reason you could build them to a reliable 400hp?

VetteLT193 05-31-2017 02:17 PM


Originally Posted by MullenTJ86 (Post 4558113)
I would highly recommend the whipples if you have extra $$$ around and need to stay in a 28' boat, but if you're looking to make your 28zx run 90+, spend your money on a bigger boat. I don't think I'm the only owner of a whippled scorpion, but I can tell you that pushing the 28zx (twin step) over 80 becomes a handful and not something easily done. The claim that the 377's whippled can break 100, not sure who threw it out there, but I have only been able to push mine to 84 with 5psi of boost. I'm sure I could get a few more mph out of her but there's never calm enough water with long enough runs to get her there. And I'm sure a tune could help get more power too, but again, it comes back to the hull and IMO a 28'zx isn't made to go above 80. She can run all day in the mid 70's, but if you want 80+...look at the 35ZR. That's where I am at now.

Assuming you are running a 28 ZX and not a ZXO something is wrong. Bone stock some of them ran 83. All of them ran at least 78-79 bone stock and the general rule of thumb number is 80+- 1. You should be in the upper 80's / low 90's with that kind of power. The scorpion that runs 105 had whipples double overdriven, custom props, and some drive work. I seem to remember water pickups on the transom too so the drives might have been shortened. Original owner claimed 650HP a side, current owner claims 550 so he might have swapped back to the regular pulleys

I will say the hull does not like stern lift. If you are running Bravo 1 props or something else with 4 blades that hasn't been labbed for bow lift I could see your concern with stability. I'd think you would want something like 29" Mirage Plus props with your setup

MullenTJ86 05-31-2017 04:19 PM

This all sounds like the boat I currently own. Seller and prior seller to him claimed 550hp aside, has custom Throttle Up props (5 Blades) and water pick ups on the transom. I've been told by the sellers that it needs a lot of trim to get into the 90's, which may be the case, but again....hull chime walks in the high 70's and can't handle any kind of wake or chop once in the 80's. I've thought about adding headers to it, but IMO, any additional added performance is a waste of money because we never take the boat up to those speeds. Bone stock scorpions hit 80-81 and that was w/ideal conditions all around, no added aftermarket parts.

VetteLT193 05-31-2017 08:44 PM

Red boat? Solid in the rear and fading forward to light red? For sale @ 50k ish? There are numerous people that have confirmed low 100s in that boat!

was for sale a few years back, owner then said 650 hp, double overdrive whipples. I'll try to find a link to the old ad

I'm wondering if something is wrong with the props or it ran 105 on a different set... or if the boost/setup was changed to preserve the owners underwear

MullenTJ86 05-31-2017 09:07 PM

That's the boat. Was in NY for a while and then Maine. Got her in Maine back in Oct 2015. I heard the boost was dialed down a bit, from 8lbs or so, but I still doubt she'd make 100 with that much. Best I heard from prior owners was 93, other said mid 80's.

And the props were specially rigged for the boat, I've ran Bravo 28's, 30's and labbed 30's and they don't get near the performance as the Throttle Ups.

VetteLT193 06-01-2017 10:16 PM

Bravo 1 props with this hull are great for cruising, horrible for top end. Mirage plus is what Donzi set it up for. Dr. Dan from donzi.net might know the original owner to get some specs. I have to wonder if it ran fast on big inch M+ but the wheels you have now aready better all around

​​​​

MullenTJ86 06-01-2017 10:27 PM

Yeah the Bravo's run okay, but got nothing great out of them. I was told the Throttle Up props were custom tailored for this boat with the current power setup and cost $5k. Of all the prop testing I've done, they are the easiest to plane (5 blades), best cruising and best top end, very satisfied with them.

I'm not trying to burst anyones bubble here when I knock the 100...I thought I was buying a 100mph boat when I bought it, only to find out that it barely hit 80 (like every other scorpion). I'm sure with the right amount of tuning and work, the boat might reach 100, but as it currently sits....maybe high 80's. Which is perfectly okay with me, already replaced 1 blower.


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