Ok i have read the forums here and realize that I have the wrong pitch props

I have a 2001 370ss with 496HO motors. Right now it has aluminum 28 pitch dual three blade props.

I am looking at switching to 26 pitch and upgrading to stainless

According to posts here 26 pitch would be correct, can anyone weigh in on the rest

Stainless worth it?
If so 4 blade three blade setup? Four blade four blade setup??
If switching to stainless is 26 pitch still correct?

right now its hard to top 51

Any help is appreciated!

You may also want to post this question at formulaboatsforum.com under the SS series forum. I didn't know formula ever put aluminum props on B3 drives on the 370SS. My 350SS has 26P 4 blade stainless steal. My guess is the 37 is probably propped the same, but a call to formula or would confirm that.

What is the max RPM you are seeing now? That and not so much speed will determine the proper pitch. IMO stainless is worth it but they are quite a bit more $$$. If you do some searching you can find some threads about the 3x3 4x3 4x4 issue. I beleive that Merc uses the 4x3 currently, but don't quote me.

Mine has 4 blades on both props. Every 370 and 400SS I have seen with 496s have twin 4 blades, and there are a ton of them at LOTO. Plus every one has stainless steal props, never have seen one delivered with aluminum. Makes me wonder if the props were switched out or something happened to the original props. HO rev limiter is 5050 I think, mine run around 4900 rpm, 5000 on rare perfect conditions. I hit the rev limiter once on a cool fall day, trailing wind and 1 foot chop.

same boat and power, i have 28 pitch 3x3 stainless. last run on sunday 1/2 fuel 55.6 mph on my gps @5000. very happy with cruise 36 mph @3400, but i don't have anything to compare to, its the only props i have ever had, hope that helps

I have never seen aluminum Bravo III prop sets. Are you sure they are aluminum? I would love to see a pic. What is you RPM at WOT? That will determine if you need a change in pitch.

You have the standard 3 X 3 prop sets. 28" pitch. Merc had not yet come out with the 4 X 3 standard set with the exception of the XR prop set. 4 x 4 sets are aftermarket only from Hill Marine. Rev limiter on an HO is 5150 RPM.

http://bblades.com/product-category/...y/bravo-three/

Guess I should have looked closer.

You may have 26" pitch props instead of 28's. That I am not sure of. For some reason I was thinking 28's with the HO's.

I think you are right. The last B3s I had on the PQ had 26s on it.