Hello all...I have a 86 F3LS same hull as a 223ls. Im running a 360HP Small block/Alpha One. Ive been told a 4 blade puts more stress on the drive during hookup. Im thinking of going with a Mirage Plus...Any thoughts on this prop? What is everybody else that has used or using like in 3Blades? I know the Alpha is not Heavy Duty and from what Ive been told for a Small block under 375HP they will survive under normal use. Hard Accelleration and Heavy Torque Loads(Big Block) they don't last. So what is everyones choice? Any 242LS Smallblock Alpha guys around?

Bird Dawg
SW Ohio

F3LS...My other boat(for sale)is a 1986 F206LS with the Alpha drive, stock set up 265hp, but a little lighter rig. Was able to run an out-of-the-box 21 Pitch 3 blade Rapture (michigan prop). Works real well out of the hole and continues to pull up to 5250rpms at 58 mph. Not too shabby for a single stock small block. When I talked about upgrading to a higher HP small block, I was told a similar story. Be careful shifting in and out of gears, if your built small block has a little lobe to the idle you can damage the Alpha going in and out of forward and reverse. Watch the quick hole-shots and getting air, not over reving but, when you land! Hope this helps.

Dave

My last boat was a Four Winns Liberator 211 running a 270 h.p. 350. Less horse, but in a lighter boat (3100 lb) than a 223. I was running a 21 pitch Laser II. A little slow out of the hole, but got good top end (55 m.p.h @ 4800). Unfortunetely the boat was in a fire in rack storage, so I recently purchased a 1989 Formula 223LS with a seized big block (motor took water) for a winter project. I'm curious how the 223 rides, say compared to the more popular 242?

I just got a 223 LS in dec. Its got a merc 454/425 in it with gil exhaust and a little bigger ultradyne cam in it (bravo1).The boat came with a hydromotive 23 pitch 4-blade.Great acceleration and handling but at wo(5100rpm /68.3 gps) it seems that its got to have more.I picked up a new 25 pitch mirage plus to try if spring ever gets here. Does anyone else have any input on the 223's?

I think you will be happy with that prop. My 223 will be running around 470 h.p. (454 -World Heads, 850 Holley, CMI exhaust, Crane 139731 cam) and I was told to start with that prop. From the research I've done the 223 and 242 respond well to the Mirage 3 blades.

I Had the same boat...86 F3LS. With a stock small block i ran a 19 mirage. I went to a 365hp Big Block (kept the alpha) and used a 23 mirage plus.

Scott72,
What kind of speed did you get with the 25?

I haven't run the boat yet with the new motor. It is being built now and I should hopefully have it back in a week or so. With the 330 h.p. 454 the boat was running 61 m.p.h. on GPS (according to the previous owner) with a 23 pitch Mirage Plus. Hoping the 25 will be enough prop for the new motor, but may have to experiment to get the correct one.

thanks-keep us updated

I have a 1981 Formula 20SC. I just repowered with a 330 hp SBC. I have an alpha outdrive. The boat weighs 3100#. According to the mercruiser program, a 25" Mirage Plus will get the most performance out of it. That sounds like a bit much prop for it, but if I can find one, I am going to try it out. I will pick up the boat with the new engine/drive tomorrow. If I get a chance, I will test run it tomorrow and get back with the results. Can't wait, they have been working on it since Oct.