Adding Whipples to HP500EFI in 382
 

Have a bad case of need for speed and am considering putting Whipples on my HP 500 Efi's in my '99 382. I have stellings boxes and stock bravo drives. What problems will I have and how fast will I go. I get about 76-78 now.

I bought my 2002 382 with 8 PSI Procharged 500's. Seller claimed 98, I saw 95. Bought the boat in Aug 2006 and in Oct 06 sold the Prochargers and built stock looking 540's. Made 630hp/700tq and ran 86+ once, 83 anyday. Even XR's will eventually blow behind that big heavy boat, Whipples will just speed the process.
My best guess is you might see 90 on a good day unless you go to smaller pulleys and then 95 is possible (again, until the drives let go)

I would guess you'd see 90 in ideal conditions.. Allot depends on set up. I can tell you I put Whipples on my 353 (525's) and run 95 with 5 blade Maximus props, but Im still messing with them. Im pretty sure if I went 4 blades I would be over 100, but I like the mid range the 5 blades give me and for me, its not just about top end. If that was all I wanted, I probably would not own a Formula.
Also, you have a high probability of trashing your drives with that much power in a boat that heavy. My experience has been if you're easy out of the hole, roll the power on gradually, they can last. If you slam the sticks hard, they will go quickly.

You WILL blow head gaskets unless you change out the factory ones. You will blow drives. HP and speed will depend on what size whipples you use ;)

Oh I figured a complete rebuild on the bottom end was a given on a 99 motor....unless they've been re-done in the recent past.

Like t500hps stated, The drives will eventually go. How soon, depends on how rough the water is you boat in. Re-entry is tough on drives, especially one as heavy as the 382.

My experience suggests you will have to rebuild drives about every 100 hours if you take care of them. More often if not.

KJM how do you like the drives on your boat? Does it handle any worse or better around the docks or at high speeds. I don't see any 382's with surface drives around here and I am tired of breaking drives so I am curious.

Sorry not trying to hijack but we are talking about breaking stuff!!

Whipples on HP500EFI's in a 382 sounds like fun! :)

Freshen the the top end while you're at it, replace the head gasket (someone mentioned), and save up for drive upgrades. I have a 2001 and added Whipple 3300s at about 275 hours when freshening the top end. Lots to do......you need gauges so that means a new dash, electronic fuel pumps, and some grinding.

Ask Nort how many hours he has AFTER the "upgrade".

Oh snap! :D

I think 150ish hours? Zero in the last two years.

i am new at this forum stuff, but I see that you have arnesons and I would be curious to know how you like them and if you don't mind what they cost. I am also a Lake Erie boater and keep mine at Castaway Bay Marina, the old Harbour. Do you ever go to the Casino, I 'm usually there several times a summer.

Thanks for All the info, it looks like I have a lot to think about.

I see the new dash, but where did you put the gps?

In a cupboard in the garage. It always slowed the boat down. :)

ROFLMAO! :D

Been doing some research on drives and it seems that for reliability the choices are an Imco SCX or the Arneson conversion. Do the Imco's hold up or are the Arnesons the best answer.

The new Imco SCX4 looks interesting to me. I wonder how a surface drive (non Arneson) would do on a 382 or 353..

The Arneson's are probably the best answer if all you are looking for is speed. For me, I would not want something hanging that far off my transom. I'm liable to jump off the back and on to a prop.