Arneson or IMCO help?
 

Looking for some input on which which drives I should put on my boat this winter. Donzi 38 ZX Daytona with HP500EFI. I run in the ocean exclusively so 2-3 swells are commonplace. I had a couple of different drive failures in my 175hrs this summer and do not want to have a repeat next season.
I am going to be putting Whipple's on as well. so power will be up in the 750-850 range.
I have had some correspondence with Arneson so I know they are 23k each.
I have not talked with IMCO about the SCX yet but that was my other option.I have read some posts where people say the SCX costs you speed. That would seem to going backwards to me.
I am looking for some input from those experienced members as to which drive will be easier to set up or is it just going to be a process either way. And not really looking to cost myself any speed, so input from som SCX users would be nice.

Honestly any time you make a major change there is going to be some dialing in. Nothing is just bolt on and go and the boat runs exactly like the factory rigged it.

The Arneson is a great drive. Rik also gives great customer service.

The SCX is proven to be a great drive on V-bottoms when rigged like a standard submerged drive, not a surface drive. (running Bravo style props) It might slow you down at least 1mph.

The SCX-4 has NOT proven it self on V-bottoms to increase speed or handling.

The set up and dial in of the Arneson and SCX-4 will be the same. You will have to find the perfect prop and perfect drive height to gain the most speed and handling.

Since you are increasing the Horsepower the SCX will also take some time to dial in. You might have to space the drive up or down to find the sweet spot. Also might need and Standoff/extension box. PLUS you will have to prop test anyways for the increased power. The bravo style props are less expensive but the technology of the surface style props you will run on the Arneson are worth every penny!

Don't forget that the SCX might seem less expensive up front, but remember you should upgrade to the IMCO HD stainless gimbal ring, helmet, and resovior, stand off/extension box. You might also end up blueprinting the lowers at WCM to gain some speed and handling!

Arneson comes with ALL new parts from the engine back. New hydraulic steering, new trim cylinders, new Stand off/Extension box. You can also sell your used parts. So overall the price difference is so close that your decision will not be priced based unless you add in props. So the SCX will be less but only due to props, the SCX-4 will cost about the same since it uses same surface style props as the Arneson.

How long you plan on keeping your boat makes a difference also. By the time you upgrade engines and drives you could buy a used boat already done.

Good luck and enjoy. Keep us updated!

And the scx's will still need routine inspection and gear replacement. 175 hours in one season?!?!? Lucky man go with the arnesons and not have to rebuild every year.

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The SCX-4 has NOT proven it self on V-bottoms to increase speed or handling. [/QUOTE]

???? Don't know where you come up with that. I installed SCX-4's gained 6 mph at 400 less rpm. Boat handles like its on rails. No motor changes just drives and props. Mercury hp gimbal is fine, all the bravo offshore race boats use them with no problems, you will have to use Imco helmet with their drive.

No offense to your boat or project but 1 boat is not proof. There are many others who have not had the same luck as you.

Very glad that you had good luck and thank you for sharing. You also had the lowers Blueprinted by WCM.

When myself and others call Imco that own a V-bottom, Imco steers us away from the SCX-4 and toward the SCX.

Yes the Hp gimbal is "fine", but they have and will fail. Thats why IMCO and X-Power make an upgraded version.

KWright

Again, no offense, I appreciate you sharing your build.

You forgot to mention that you also lowered your windshield which gains top speed.

You had Reggie dial in your fountain, which is awesome, but I Bet thats not cheap.

You had WCM blueprint your lowers.

You originally claim your boat went 90mph then lowered it to 88mph before new drives. 93mph with SCX-4. SO 6mph might be stretching it a little.

Either way, your boat sounds sweet. We all appreciate your thread and enjoy seeing you successfully upgrade boat and enjoy using it.

I do agree your drive upgrade was a success overall. I personally might not have gone the same directions but thats ok, differences is what makes boating so great.

Just don't want others to think the SCX-4 is a simple and inexpensive bolt on that gains speed. NO drive upgrade is.

Let's not forget the speed increases with the Arneson's. Anywhere from 5-10 mph on same horsepower. So if you are adding more HP, that boat will be well into the 100's

It is probably the most simple upgrade of them all. No pulling motors, No gel work on the transom, ect ,ect.

Yes I did have a short windshield installed, was able to afford it from all the money I saved from having Reggie dial in my boat! Yes Reggies labor rate is no higher than most boat shops.
Yes WCM did blueprint my lowers, something that should be done on all HP drives. They don't just sand them it is a craft learned over many years of trial and error. trying to copy it is like turning yourself loose on a new set of alum. heads with a dye grinder. If anything my success should be merit to that!
No matter what route the op decides to go, My advice is to talk to people that have done upgrades learn from their experiences. Then get professionals to help you with your project, Your right it is more than just bolting on parts!

Now back to building my new motors now that I have a setup that can handle it!:drink:

Kwright, what was your total expense minus the windshield? In just curious if you don't mind. A local guy had fpm raise his x 5", install the cat killer strainer and pickup, and new scoops on his hatch. I heard the boat is on rails after they set it up but the price I heard (3rd party) was $$$$$$$$$$$$

Are there any 38 donzis out there to compare to ? thats like where are the fountain arneson boats ???? I know they had to build 1 or two but you never here how they perform .

I won't quote price on here. Did that on my drives and it started allot of crap! This is the time of year to shop you can make your best deals now at the end of season. They also did the strainer and pickup on my boat, I will say this it is priced in that same range as any other quality strainer and pickup once again labor rates were very fair. They even quoted me how long it would take and stuck to the quote, no surprises there. Call Wyatt or R3 and talk to them very nice people. All I know is when I got my boat back it worked, the day I picked it up we went out for a test ride to make sure I was happy, and it wasn't a little blast around the bay it was a whole morning of pushing it hard.
A deal is no deal if it doesn't work. Sometimes a little money spent up front will save you alot in the end!

+1

Peter01, Talk to people who have done(bought and paid for) the conversions, get their view. then make a informed decision on what meets your criteria.

I think I heard about a Donzi with the SCX-4's on it but I never saw any results.
I gained 2MPH with a backyard blueprint. I think I'll find 2 more with a different set of props and pick up tweaking.
Time will tell if the drive holds up but so far so good and I've been hard on it.

Very well put. That fits so perfect with the cost to have Reggie dial in your boat. Yes its a lot of Labor cost up front compared to installing drives yourself, but in the long run it can pay off.

Trying to dial in your own boat can nickle and dime you.

If you want easy to dial in, turn key, stick to as close to the original design, or copy another proven boat (which is hard to find info on sometimes).

I just want the OP and others looking at drive upgrades to understand that the Arneson or the SCX-4 are very similar in cost and labor to install and dial in on most boats. Yes some boats might need fiberglass work for either drive to get the perfect drive height.

Fountain owners are lucky to have Reggie around.

Never heard of a Donzi Daytona expert like Reggie. If the OP had a 38ZR it would be much easier to dial in either of the surface style drives.

That's good info, and a great experience. Glad to hear there is no price gouging for the name on the door. I'm not really in the market for any of their services but good to know who's who and who to reccomend. Thanks for the reply

Thanks for the replies.
I talked to Donzi about Arnesons and was told they did testing with Arnesons some years ago, but with diesels only.
I talked to Arneson to get some info on Donzi/Arneson combos. They have some customers but ZR's which is a narrower boat with offset engines so I'm not sure the info would fit my boat.
I lost my first post. Too slow typing I guess. The Donzi is a Daytona model so it has extension boxes.