was wondering if removing silent thunder and under swim platform if the weight reduction helps with plaining the boat off?

I don't think it does,

Replacing the cast iron exhaust as I did on my 292 with aluminum made a lot of difference also.

I removed my silent thunder and changed my manifolds to Aluminum and made no noticeable difference. Between the two you are maybe cutting 100 lbs. The silent thunder weighs around 50 lbs. I put a 700hp motor in my 271 Fastech and it leaps right on plane now. The boat just needs more power. Jeff Wurl

agree! Formula for some reason only puts "mild" power in their boats....and the performance suffers.

I removed the Silent thunder Exhaust, installed s280 k planes, and propped it with a 24 Bravo 1. Now it gets on plane just fine.

My 271 has an odd combo, 502 and a Bravo 3.
Gets on plane fine, maybe even great.

everything I read that is a great combo, loose a little top end but hole shot is completely differant then mine

Has anyone attempted using a bravo 2 on a 271? Its the same top half as a 1 but different bottom. I did this to my 26 pc and it made a huge difference out of the hole and no difference top end.

I have studied this deal over the years with 4 Formulas that I have owned and found that they are all "big assed girls".

What works well is to run big tabs but especially go with a higher numerical drive gear and get your top end with a "deeper" prop. An example of this would be a regular 1.5:1 gear ratio with a 19" pitch vs a 1.65:1 gear and a 21" prop. I know it souds whacked but it works. The 1.65 ratio comes out of the hole quicker and still maintains the top end. It has to do with the ineficiency of props at low hull speeds vs. prop efficiency at higher hull speeds.

Any other experience with this?