382 Drive Height
 

Robert (or anyone else), any thoughts re: effects from raising the drive height with either the Imco or Merc Speedmaster 2'' shorter lowers?

Drive hight ????
 

I have a 1995 382 SR1 and added boxes and raised the x dimension 4.5 " the boat has HP500s with 1.5 ratio drives. When the boat was brand new it ran 70 mph on it's best day now with the changes it runs 71-72 I also replaced the motors with 540 ci dyno hp 560 the problem with this upgrade is that the boat tipped the scales at lake x over 13000lbs. Moving the drives is not the answer, a non step 382 needs big power to go fast :mad: :confused: :confused: :confused:

I think what has to be realized is that a 382(step or non-step) is a big,heavy boat.I prefer to call it a "Gentleman's Performance Boat". If someone wants a hotrod,go elsewhere.If you want a classy,roomy,air conditioned nice ride,the 382 fits perfectly.Takes a tremendos amount of horsepower to get it over 80 mph.But Formula never intended it to be superfast,just superclassy,and it does that quite well.Imagine my friend's 382 procharged motors in a 353 with boxes. Depends on what you are looking for,he wasn't looking for that.

Robert, I don't disagree with your characterization of the 382, but that doesn't mean that it's performance can't be improved . . . ala your customer's pro-chargers.

A Mercedes isn't the hotest car around, but once AMG gets done with one, it's a whole new level of performance, but still "classy."

Does anyone have expecience with raise X dimensions on 382s?