Alpha 1 gen 1 w/ 454
 

I'm working on a 87 Cobalt Condesa '23 w/ a blown up 454 & a gen 1 alpha. Due to the higher elevation I boat @, I would like to change the gears to 1.65. How much should I expect to pay for this?

Seems like alot of guys run supercharged SBC through alphas w/o issues. How huch torque can the Gen 1's handle? the rebuilt 454 will still be less than 500ft lbs in this 4200lb boat.

I`m going to say it may not last long, but if you baby it out of the hole you might get some time on it. I have a Formula 242 with a 454/350hp with the alpha so far so good. Time will tell good luck:eek:

Its lasted 22yrs? Its basically the stock set up. 365hp mag w/ alpha 1. Not sure how much the stock torque is.

How long have run yours? did you upgrade gears, etc?

I have a friend with a Pachanga with a 330HP and Alpha. It has strange gearing. It runs 58 GPS with a 19 pitch prop at about 4700 RPM. Increasing your HP over stock setup would probably not be advised with a Alpha.

If it is an 1987 454 Magnum it is a 330 not 365 HP engine. The best way to tell is look at the intake ports the 330 had oval ports. The Alpha 454 was only available for one year in this configuration.
Steve

330 HP -454 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! Just like smiklos sayd.

Probably 1.32

They also put Alpha's on the 87 32' Pachanga with 454's 330hp. I have ran one with over 500 hours on the original setup and it is still running.....I wouldn't say strong because of the age of the motors but.....reliable. I definately wouldn't add too much more power on an Alpha....it's really a small block drive that is not really meant for big block applications. It does handle the 330hp 454 though...just better to be safe than sorry and not add on tooo much power.

Rubber prop hubs!
 

They make the Alpha drive last much longer!
Steve

Itsallgood, just my .02, but if were my boat, I would simply rebuild the motor to a good running, and reliable stock set up. If ya really want to add power to that big block, ya really need to look at switching to a bravo.




Darrell.

the rule of thumb is 2% per 1000ft, is what you lose on hp.
if you build your engine accordingly to your alt. to get the 330hp the alpha should take it, if your careful out of the hole.
larry

Ok, so the '87 mag is really 330hp? I was planning on upgrading to a roller motor w/ roughly the same cam specs.
From what I can tell the 1996 & newer 7.4s have about 50 more Ft lbs than the older non roller version.

I also think I can upgrade to the gen 2 alpha for about the same it would cost to change the gears in the gen 1 alpha.

Holeinthewater / I haven't checked the gearing yet but your saying the stock '87 gen 1 alpha was probably 1.32?

I've always heard we loss about 20% power @ the 5-6k' I boat @.

I've also heard the alpha hold up longer in lighter boats. Is 4200lbs still considered light?

In 1987 for one year only Merc called the 330 hp 454 a magnum and put the Alpha drive behind it. I had a 27' Mach 1 back then and I beat on it pretty bad without problems, but I heard that many were blown up and that's the reason they only did it for one year. Why make problems if you know you are at the limit?

There are plenty of idiots that have blown up stock Bravos as well
with stock 454s,slamming into gear,dry start holeshots,flying waves etc. On the other hand there are plenty of Alphas behind 454s that have lasted many a year, most important thing is nut holding the wheel.
My Alpha is 25 years old and going strong,its had a 260/350 a 300/350 a 310/454 and now a 502 in front of it..
but I respect the fact its 25 years old and treat it as such.doesnt mean I dont run flat out every once in a while it just means I use my brains on getting there.

Good news! The drive has already been upgraded w/ HD 1.65 gears.

I found a 97 truck 454 vortec I was considering installing. Any idea what the truck cam specs vs the 330hp marine cam specs are?

Doesnt sound right.
V8 Alphas came with 1.5 gears and some 454 ones
used 1.32 gears ..

I turned the shaft a little over 1.5 times for the prop to only turn once. Plus the guy I got the boat from said they have been upgraded & replaced.

Any idea on the cam specs?

Definetly doesn't sound right. You'll need a lot of pitch if you run those gears with a big block.

I'm hoping to run a Rev 4 21P I have left over. Just not sure this mild motor will be able to turn it.