292 trim tab upgrade
 

Has anyone upgraded the tabs on their 292? If so what did you go with and how complicated was the install. I wonder if we could just get some longer replacement tabs from Bennett?

There's a couple guys that post here that have upgraded to 280 K planes, I'm sure one of them will chime in. They seem to be very happy with the results. There's also a place called ASP Racing that has some extended and reinforced tabs to upgrade the Bennetts. They don't seem to have them on their website but I've seen them in a magazine ad. They look like a perfect option for a 292 if you don't want to go thru the extra work that the K planes will require but I've never seen any feedback from anyone that's actually used them

Pat

K-Planes
 

I highly recommend upgrading to the 280S K-Planes. It's a big job, so I had them professionally installed. The threads below cover the swap.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...-my-292-a.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...-k-planes.html

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...info-pics.html

4mulafastech do you know the length of the 280 tabs. I am thinking about these. The 19 oss ones.
http://victorytrimtabs.com/B%20gallery.htm

Victory is out of Biz. been so since 2006... look at the front page of their web site.

If the ASP place has a contact or web site can you link it? I'd like a longer set on my boat as well. K Planes are nice but the price is ridiculous considering how long bennett tabs last.

Just measured them. The 280S K-Planes extend 19.75" from the transom and are 14" wide at the base and 8" wide at the tip.

I added 8inches to my stock bennets on my 272 made a big difference and was a cheap fix

The biggest problem with Bennets is not the size, but how slow they are. Bennett makes larger size plates if thats what you want. I just got done installing Merc 280's on my Fastech 271. Pretty much the same deal as the 29, but more room to work in the bilge. In the Feb. 2003 issue of Powerboat magazine they do a step by step install of 280 tabs on a Fastech 271. Has complete instructions with about 40+ pictures. Made the job much easier. I had my engine pulled out while installing so the job was tons easier. I would say it takes at least 25 hours total to do the job right. You will also need to fill and gel coat the areas where the old Bennet rams were mounted. Jeff Wurl

How did you do this? Any pics? Switching the whole system over is more of a job than I want to tackle. Chances are this is a boat I will not keep much longer... I think off in the distance I hear a 353 calling my name.

I would like to know how this was done as well.

I'm Surprised that Formula didn't put the K-planes on more 292's. Reminds me of the old 272's. Most 272 small blocks had Bennetts, but most 272 big blocks had K-planes. The K-planes are more $'s, but so, so much nicer & robust. I've hardly ever seen a 292 on the market with K-planes. It's seems like that would be an exceptionally nice upgrade on the 292, especially if you plan on running it in any real water.

4fulfastech.....Love your boat, and thanks for the info. I'm shopping for a 292 myself, and have a few more questions. I agree 280's are a must have for tabs. I'm also curious about the 377s. I've researched CMI exhaust systems, and they claim 10% HP improvement. I'm still not sold. But you mentioned roller rockers and ecm changes. What might these improvements net in HP & torque gain?

Thanks. Those things I mentioned were plans back when I was talking with the guys at Competition Marine Center. They installed my K-Planes. Since that time priorities have changed a bit and the engines are still bone stock. Some of the 292 owners on here have upgraded their exhaust. I mostly hear about improvements in planing time and acceleration, but very slight gains in top speed. So 10% increase with CMI's on a stock engine is not very likely.

One of the things CMC mentioned was while the exhaust on these 377's is not very good, it works okay with a stock engine since the cam is basically done at 5000-5200 rpm. He talked about ideas of increasing the rocker arm ratio to increase valve lift a little which helps bump up the higher rpm torque. That and little tweaking of the ECM to raise the rev limiter and exhaust upgrade you may see a little top end improvement. But for anything significant a cam change and head improvements are in order, along with intake and fuel injection upgrades, etc... It's at that point I start thinking of just starting from scratch, or new purpose built engines.

My 292 runs 70 mph in most any conditions I run in which is okay for me now. It is a dream to drive with the Latham steering and K-Planes. Some day when those 6.2's start getting tired I plan to start from scratch!:drink:

Thanks 4mulafastech....I've heard the same, the 377s are a durable, turn key motor. But to get anything more from them will take $$$$, might as well start from scratch. I agree, you'd have to spend a lot to go over 80 without big blocks.............dave