242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Looks like I'll have the 242LS for another season (or two).

The stock 454 magnum (with 22 Bravo prop) pushes the boat to 56mph GPS with two people and 1/2 fuel. At that speed I'm at about 4800rpms. I'd like to see 65mph. I've read that some owners with stock power see 60mph but I'm not even close...

I'm thinking about upgrading the stock motor with exhaust, cam, roller rockers...perhaps even heads, intake and carb.
With more power I'll probably need a different prop.

I've read that the stock ignition is pretty good. On the other hand one idea might be to just get a 502 long block. I've read a number of threads on OSO about upgrading 454 mags...seem like there are many options and opinions.

But first things first. Has anyone with a 242LS upgraded the exhaust? I've read the threads about exhaust on 272s and 311s but it looks like exhaust on those boats exit at a different angle. If I upgrade the cam, I need to get the right exhaust? Which one?

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Chuck,
I had a 242 SS with a 454/350hp (rebuilt) and the most I could ever get was 53 MPH :( . I went over and over upgrading the engine with cam, exhaust etc etc. or repower it with a 502. The quickest and most simple upgrade (since my motor was relatively fresh) was to supercharge it. Although upgrading the exhaust was not mandatory, I felt like I would still have to do that to prevent future problems and a new prop (now you have to figure out which one!). By the time I was done with the upgrades, whether I did a H/C/I or Supercharger upgrade, I would've spent several thousands of dollars (up to $10k depending on which route I took).

Then, I figured out how much I would have had in the boat PLUS the upgrades.... :eek:

So, you know which option I went with for my 65 MPH need for speed? Neither! I sold it and bought a 1990 292 SR 1 with 454 mags and now I got 70+ MPH, better ride, much more room, the security of twin engines and a much better investment (meaning I would not have been into a 242 for close to $30k that was only worth $22k, at the time. I felt like I was better off putting my money into a bigger, faster boat).

I'm not trying to sell you anything, even though my 292 is for sale! :rolleyes: I'm just letting you know that I had the EXACT same situation several years ago before I bought my 292.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

formula1,

That's exactly my dilemna. My back of the envelope calculations tell me that my fuel and storage costs would double, plus a bigger boat payment. At some point it might be less expensive to just get out of boating altogether and spend the money on cocaine and hookers. :)

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Chuck, getting 65mph out of a 242 will take a little work. Mopower is working with one of his friends in putting in a 540 in his 242 I believe, maybe Mo will chime in. I would think if you want that speed you will need to do some big Hp to do it. Another thought is to Procharge it you would get an easy 10 mph from what I have heard. Plus exhaust upgrade and prop, maybe a steering up grade?


Oh ya alot more gas :drink:

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Ok Masi , here I am. My buddy has a 91 242 with a 502 mag (415 crank HP , 390 prop). Best prop was a labbed 24 Bravo I. Got an honest 62 GPS at 5000/5100 rpm.
We're just about finished the install of a warmed over HP 500 , now 509 cu in and dynoed 535 hp.
We're figuring 68 but of course hoping for 70. I seriously doubt you will ever see 65 with easy bolt on stuff on a 454 :( :( . Keep iin mind , by todays standards , you have a 26' boat , since they count the swim platform :cool: .
I know another guy with an 89 /454/242 and he claims 55 mph.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Let me tell ya, I spent HOURS working out the details for making more power in my 242. At that time, Chevrolet had some pretty good deals on the 502/502 crate motor and in the end, that was what I had my sights set on. We figured we'd have to "marinize" it, then put exhaust (CMI), Ignition, performance marine carb, a few props and a few other items totaling close to $10k. Of course, you could deduct $2k or so for the sale of the working 454 in the boat. That's what I figured it would take to get into the mid 60's. Luckily, Mopower is in agreement! :p For all the aggrevation and lost boating time, $8k is alot of extra boat payment! If your payment went up $100 per month, that would mean instead of shelling it all out at once, you got the difference already covered for the next 80 months! Probably by then, ready to upgrade again! :evilb: Otherwise, you'll never get your money back out of that upgrade (if that is important to you. Because you did say you weren't ready to move up YET!).

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

I had an 85' 242 with twin small blocks, and saw 63/64 on GPS consistently.

Cuda had one too and was getting the same speeds I believe.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Then again , there is the "wife factor" :eek: . Usually much easier to justify "repair" of what you already have , than it is to buy a new one :rolleyes: . Most wives will know what another one will cost , but have no idea what parts are worth as long as you have a private slush fund :D .
Formula1 is right , you'll probably never get out of it what you put in. I know I could own a 1999 30 footer with stock 502s for what I have invested in my 10 year older 3 foot smaller 272.
Now that we've talked about all the negatives , how about the positives.

1. Present boat may be paid for.
2. Personally , I'd rather have a nice(regardless of year) that's really bad a$$.
3. Save your old engine(s) and if trouble arises you have a spare(s).

Hope this doesn't totally confuse you :cool:

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

It's easy Chuck. Bulldog from the club is going to build natural engines for his Fountain. Buy one of his 850 blower motors, fill up with 93, and you are good.






Oh, might want to pick up a spare Bravo while you are at it :D :evilb:


My .02- Keep it the way it is until you are able to move it and move up. Virtually anything you do to go faster will also increase fuel burn and like these guys said, you won't get your money back out. Now if you can find a nice 502 MPI for cheap, you might at least get in the 60's and fuel burn will be better, not worse at cruise. But you still are not likely to recoup the cost when you sell.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

We really are sick and warped about this boat stuff aren't we? :D :rolleyes:

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Mmmmm 502's

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooh yeah :crazy:


Yeah and when they show up with a new outfit (that we actually notice) and say something about , they give us "Oh I've had this for years" :rolleyes:


But you were 15 pounds lighter two years ago , how do you fit in it now :confused: .....lets not even go there :D :D :D

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

LMAO! Ain't that the truth! :D Except, I haven't figured out how to get my slush fund big enough to repower with 502's! :( . I have found it easier to up sell her on all the benefits of a bigger boat with twins! :drink: I'm trying to work her on a 357 now, but the one I wanted just got sold. :mad: She'd rather see a few extra $$ a month go out in the monthly payment than see BIG $$ go out of our account at once...especially for "THE BOAT". :rolleyes:

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

I don't know if Allstate would insure me with a motor like that in the boat but sounds like fun.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

OK here are the results 535 HP will get your 242 70 MPH

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Great news about the new power and speed but why did the drive pop? That stinks.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Well my buddy who owns the boat had his drive laying on it's side while off the boat for about two weeks.I think some oil leaked out the check valve where the auto fill is connected. He topped off the bottle inside but never actually checked the drive level. My bet is the top end is toast. Just before it went we could hear a whine when we slowed to 30 or so. Began to accelerate again and boom :(

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

is that tilt wheel aftermarket?

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

It's factory to the best of my knowledge.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

I think the tilt wheel became available in 1990.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

dam just misssed it, would be nice to have though

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Might be worth a call to Formula...who knows they might have some leftovers in their parts bin at the factory...else you could find out who manufactured the part and order one direct. It would be nice to have a tilt wheel in my 242!

But...back to the original thread. I need more speed!

I wonder if a hydromotive "stern lifting" prop would perform better than my 22 pitch bravo I four blade?

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

good idea Chuck it wont hurt to try....

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

OK, turns out I've toasted my motor...best bet seems to be a long block + new exhaust manifolds and depending on condition an intake manifold if that is crusty. So now might be the time to do the upgrades. Which makes more sense...a hi-po 454 or a 502?

chuck

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Chuck - I've got what you need: 502/530hp 89 octane with complete DPX drive (and spare drive leg). Reasonable, almost cheap. PM or email me.
Pictures here

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

That should get you just about 70 :evilb: :evilb: :evilb:

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Yeah...nice package...some assembly required.

I seriously considering an engine through this company:

http://1800runsnew.com/recon.htm

Remanufacturered engines by "Vesuvio" marine engines. They list this engine:
454 (7.4) 420 hp HO $4,850

Then a set of exhaust manifolds. There are so many options in terms of exhaust. I'm tempted to go with Stainless Marine.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

If you want 65 , you're going to be dissappointed. My buddys 415/502 got him 62 under good conditions. So 420 hp is probably going to leave you a little short :(

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

I'm sure you're right. But at this point I'm shooting for "propulsion" under reasonable price conditions.

Maybe I should retitle the thread "242LS 62.5mph - how to get there?"

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Now THAT'S effing funny!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Chuck, sorry to hear about your engine, I did order an engine from the place you posted and I have 120 hours on it and runs great 454/350 hp. I know it`s not a high HP engine but it runs every weekend :drink:

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Well it turns out the "420HP" motor they advertise is made out of unobtanium....they are not available. The guy I spoke with said that they only sell 454 long blocks with oval ports...where as I have square ports...so their only option is a 502 "435" hp.

From what I understand, runing a 502 would require:
long block
electric fuel pump
flywheel
oil filter relocation kit (not sure why)

Plus I need manifolds/risers because mine are toast.
I was told that I can use my existing intake manifold and carb...but is a 750 cfm carb enough for a 502?

Guess I'll start a thread on the tech board to see what other options I might have.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

My buddys 509 cu in 535 hp made LESS with an 850 carb. He's running a 750 to get the 535 hp

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

HMMMM, I wonder how I know that!!

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Interesting. By the way, what exhaust is your buddy running?

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Gil Offshore

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Probably because my buddy (who knows and uses my OSO password) has one!! :p

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

Very cool. Hate to ask a million questions...but were there any fitting issues with the exhaust? I'm trying to decide between "standard" exhaust and performance exhaust.

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

The easiest way is on the trailer!!!! :evilb: :evilb: :evilb: :drink: :drink:

Re: 242LS 65mph - how to get there?
 

The only "fitting" issues involved was the fact that the Gil tail pipes were wider (center to center) than the holes in the transom :( . Each one was about and inch "outside" the transom hole. This was easily corrected by elongating the holes in the flange that bolts to the manifold. 1/8 inch on each and the pipes moved closer(center to center) by almost 2 inches at the far end. This was a problem because of the length of the Gil tail pipes and only and 8 inch piece of rubber hose on the end and that was a lot of offset to make up for in and 8 inch space.