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-   -   -3 modification who can do this (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/drives-lower-units/345798-3-modification-who-can-do.html)

01scarab29 04-25-2017 12:39 PM

Used Imco plates. My shafts were 7 3/8 deep. Hard to get on plane. Couldn't find the right props at the time, the ones we had and thought would work didn't. I still want to check more into it.

Originally Posted by bigblockbill (Post 4549372)
Cutting sounds easy enough. What did you do for a cav plate solution?


endeavour32 04-26-2017 07:07 AM


Originally Posted by bigblockbill (Post 4549371)
Any updates on how this is coming along?

No, Ive been busy with other boat projects. I am going to dig into this over the weekend and hopefully get the cavitation plate designed, built, and mounted. I'll post pics, as progress happens.

endeavour32 05-30-2017 07:36 PM

6 Attachment(s)
I'm finally getting close to getting the drives done. I've got the -3 lowers and am building them now. I have the modifications almost done to the upper to run the new lowers. Here are some pictures of the first plate. There are a few things I'm going to change on the next one, but over-all it turned out well. I'm going cut around 1.5" off it, as its currently to long. I'm going to have it stick 1" past the prop, currently it's almost 3".

Tinkerer 05-30-2017 09:29 PM

I would leave it as long and wide as you can stand. The bigger it is the better it will keep the prop from pulling air down and cavitating the prop. The bigger it is the easier the boat will get on plane. those plastic "whale tails" worked by keeping the prop from sucking air and then they acted like a K plane to push the boat stern up.

endeavour32 05-30-2017 11:14 PM

I already trimmed it an 1.25 inches, if I have time I may make a few sizes. Swapping them out would be pretty easy.

bigblockbill 06-06-2017 08:15 AM

That came out very clean... I like it!

endeavour32 06-10-2017 11:25 PM

I'll post some more pictures when I get them all done, which should be tomorrow. I'm really hoping that by next Monday I can be on the water and do some testing.

bigblockbill 08-25-2017 08:34 AM

You ever get this thing running and have any results to share?

endeavour32 08-26-2017 09:47 PM

I did, I ran it twice, then tore it all apart and sold everything, to move onto a new project. So the results were great! I gained close to 8 mph. Some of that was due to the in fuel system, AN-8 lines tank to carb, new carbs, Dominators, new intakes, Brodix HV 2002's, Eickert Headers, and last but probably most important, the -3's I experimented with cavitation plate lengths. The best length was the standard length. I had one standard and one short. The short one would cavitate and was a real pain to get the boat to plain off. Once I lengthened it, problem solved. It would pop on plane. So in the end I gained roughly 400 rpms and 8 mph (88 mph) and prop slip stayed the same. It was a success all the way around. Anyone with a Formula I would suggest going to -3's. It was well worth the work.

Now I'm restoring a 38 Scarab with notched transom. It's getting 1000 hp ea. blower motors, #5 drives on boxes and I'll be running the drives 1" above the transom. According to Dan at Archer this is were I need to start. I'm hoping to break the 100 MPH barrier with this combo. While not really fast in todays standards, I'll be happy.

Tinkerer 08-27-2017 08:16 PM

I can't wait to see the end results.


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