353 fastec want more speed
 

Currently have 353 fastech with twin 525 EFI. 2006 Hull
Get 80 on gps
Want to get into mid 90'S
Any suggestions?

Since the factory 382/700NXT Poker Run boat runs high 90's, it sounds like you'll need about another 125-150 hp per side. I think there are some people that have done fairly reliable Whipple installations on 525's and pushed them up to mid 600's, but then you'll be entering "no mans land" with the Bravos. Whatever you do, it will be $$.

Personally, I'd swap the whole package out for a pair of Ilmor 650's with Indy drives. No blowers, 400 pounds lighter, drives rated for 1000 ft-lbs and a new-package warranty. The new 40' OL runs 114 with them. You could probably get pretty good money for your 525 packages.

Going to take a supercharger most likely to get into the 90's. I got a 1998 with Procharged 509cid, carbed engines, Imco ext boxes, 1" Imco lowers. Went the best of 102mph this year(GPS).

You already have a good combo with the 525's, with the right supercharger and prop setup, 100mph is obtainable.

LE

I agree with C Spray - only a matter of time before you are getting new drives if you go to 600+ HP. So you may as well do it all up front.

Thanks all for the feedback.
Great Advise.

Cha-Ching, Cha-fuggin-Ching!!!!!

Ask Axapowell, he'll tell you how to get 90's in a 353. :drink:

I dont know, a repower sure sounds a little extreme to me. Money you will never get back out of a boat that has already depreciated more then you want to say. I know I'm in for a lot more then I can sell.

If you do the Procharger or Vortech thing, and with the right tune burned for your 525's, the motors will be reliable. Probabally already have XZ or XR drives, which with proper care can be pretty reliable. Spend the extra money on an extra drive, or tools to work on a Bravo(I did).

Then when it comes time to sell or upgrade, pull off all the supercharger stuff and sell the boat and parts separate. Best way to justify all the money you will spend on the boat.. IMO

"Honest honey I can sell all that stuff and get back the kids college fund".

LE

Your boat looked great running this weekend! A reliable 80 mph boat is hard to beat. Like everyone else said
More Horsepower= New Drives.

Want to go 90 + with 525's? Buy a Hustler 344 Cheetah. Don't get me wrong I used to own a 353 and worked @ a Formula dealer,they are great boats. But if you want all out speed and handling you can't beat a Hustler!! I currently have 2 in stock. Let me know if you want to trade.

I can vouch for the Cheetah. Rode in a friend's friend's 344 with 600SC's. With 4 pretty large guys on board, we were north of 97 MPH on GPS. Owner says it goes well over 100 with one person - I believe!!!! Granted, those were 600's, but we were at almost 100 with four guys!!

Gotta say too, that boat rode beautifully. We hit some pretty good cruiser wakes at 60, 70 and 80 or so. Nothing but solid "pfooff" if you can imagine what that sounds and feels like. Nice firckin' boat!!!! Had the twin Merc dash displays (helm and passenger side). I was watching all the particulars as they happened. Very cool.

No offense here at all, but the number seems low for 525's. I have friends that have claimed that with 500's. Having owned both 500's and now 525's I can tell you the 525's are for sure stronger motors. Some on here have claimed more with the same set up you have, maybe they have happy speedos.

Having been down the tweek it road and also watched friends go there I can tell you it's not always the fun fairy tale it's made out to be. Big bucks and broken chit. Might look at set up on your present boat to see if there might be something to gain there first. Just a thought.


A very wise friend made a comment to me years ago ..............
Want to go faster? Real simple ... Buy a faster boat!

Sounds right for that hull to me. I had a friend with HOs in his and he ran 72 or 73.

Thanks Don
Looking forward to the next Run.

I have seem a 2001 with 500 EFI's run over 80. You should be able to get a few more MPH wiht better props or setup

I decided to wait and see what surfaced before I chimmed in...

It sounds like your 353 is loaded up right? A/C, TV, Vacuflush...

The extras weigh alot more then you think, so 80 with the 525's is pretty much right on.

What drive configuration do you have? I you don't already have them, you can add extension boxes to the mix and grab a couple there. But, if you want to get into the 90's, Lake Effect hit it on the head. Either Whipples or Prochargers to get the extra ponies.

You should speak to Dustin Whipple about their upgrade program. He is into the computers now and can even tune your current set-up without the assist of a charger. Then onto the prop thing...

If you are dedicated you WILL reach your goal, but to get into the 90's you will need at least 650hp per side and the RPM's to pull the props. Over 650 horsepower will be helpful, as you won't have to overtrim to get your number, but then the drives WILL become an issue. Your XR's will handle the power IF you are gentle on the holeshots and service them regularly.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

Dave

Good Luck, you'll find you spend twice what you thought when you first get started.....I can attest that XR's don't like over 600hp, I blew one this summer with 630hp in a 382 (but I make 700tq). Boat does run 80 any day, 85 under the best of conditions.

A 353 will be a little bit easier on an XR then a 382. A Procharger also brings on boost at a higher RPM, which results in less midrange torque, also easier on the drive. A Whipple will have superior midrange torque over a centrifical charger, but be harder on the drives.

My Procharger combo makes plenty of power to pull the boat onto plane, but does lack midrange torque. The only time you ever really notice it is running thru rougher water in the 3000/3500rpm range, and upon re-entry, when the props hook back up it will drag down the engines. Not a real big issue, just a little more working the thottles. As long as you respect the drives, I'm sure the Whipples would be a little funner to drive.

Good luck

LE

Thanks T-Bird for the props on the Hustler product. I have the original test card from the Factory on the 2004 I have in stock with 500EFI's and Bravo XR drives. With 2 guys,75 gal. of fuel,32 pitch 4 blades @ 5250 RPM; GPS read 90 MPH. Alot to be said for a stock EFI turn key boat! The 2007 w/525's and ITS and XR's ran 94 MPH ! Hard to argue with those numbers.

Over time the hole shots, even if you are easy on the drives, and the re-entry stress will takes it's toll. If you are noticing a drag on the RPM at re-entry be assured you haven't throttled back adequately when you got air. And one day cruising along at 50 mph you will explode a drive. 35 should get more life than the 38, but eventually it will fail.

You're welcome Haul. Gotta give credit where credit is due.:cool:

stock 600 `s will get you in the low 90 `s

twin 700 close to 100

Pull apart and inspect every winter, fix whats worn, hope for the best..

LE

A 353 will be faster than that. The factory 382 Poker run boat is in the high 90's wil 700's.

The big issue is that you WILL need drives, so you have to decide if it's worth sinking LOTS of money into you boat.

Right!

I also agree a complete repower with engines and drives is nuts, way too much to spend in this market....Lake Effect did sweet this year with XR's still in one piece!

The Poker Run Boat 382 with Kevlar Upgrade usually runs about
93 -94 MPH

It was tested by Powerboat Magazine and Poker Runs America

i do understand the need for speed, i have a 2006 353 with 496HO's, this past weekend is the first time i pushed my boat, now keep in mind it does have factory gen,air,tv,ect., full tank of fuel, two 190lb guys, at 5100 rpm we hit 75.7 mph on gps. Im not trying to take anything away from the 525's, but Dam..

I've got a good friend that had a 2001 353 with HOs that lived on LOTO for 6 years. He never got close to 75 MPH, no gen or air, and even with a light load of fuel he could normally get 72, maybe 73 max on GPS. Speedo would read 75 or 76. So you have some awesome running HOs in your boat. Good deal for you!:drink:

Congrats.

In 2001 the X Dimension might have been different and I am not sure if props already have been lab finished
The 2006 boat with 496 HO came with lab finished Bravo 1 props

This might explain 2-3 MPH Difference

His were 30P 4blade Bravo 1 props - no lab finish. He ordered the boat with 502s and that was just when they were changing over from that block to the 496, so they put an HO in it for the price of the 502. So it could be they didn't have that set up totally dialed in yet and like you said, maybe made some changes like X dimension over the next few years.