Thanks for the input everyone. Was hoping to hear from 242 owners that have been somewhat down this road.

Perhaps a stroker kit and good heads/cam will get me by. A 489/496 making 550 might very be reliable as well as get me close to 70. I'd be happy there.

Just planning stages at this point.

tpenfield, I can see about getting some pics. I'm not doing the work myself. Having a friend of a friend do it. I'm having the transom, engine stringers, outboard stringers, rear floors (battery and pump/anchor area), and fuel bulkhead done. I think she'll be ready in a week or two, then I'll be putting her back together.

I have a number of pics of a 223LS build that I got via OSO. If you can PM me your email addy, I'll forward.

Tom

I haven't finished my 242 build ups yet but I know one that is finished. A 242LS in MD with 550 HP saw 74 MPH in a fresh water river. That is some real data that is workable. Good speed, not to much stress on the engine or boat so as to have a long lasting stable ride. This is about what I am doing as well on my LS. I know of an 850 HP 242 in FL that hit 80's but got squirly and loose. The drive situation contributed due to not having external steering....which is another line to consider. At 70 MPH and up a boat needs external steering to stay stable at those speeds. Factory power steering is not enough after the 70 MPH mark is crossed.

I can live with 74-ish! A 550 HP-ish 496 is probably much more reasonable to build than the 540+ (when all things are considered).

Totally get the whole deal with hydraulic steering. My old Stinger was a perfect example of fast boat in need of good steering. A handful at speed.

Natural

I have a 1988 242 SS Bravo 1 bottom painted, 502 aprox 500 HP with a brvo1 24 pich prop

I spin out 4950 rpm which is aprox 500 - 600 less then it should, from what I have been told.

Speed 58 mph

I was sure that the bravo 1 24 pich prop should have been a good choice and I expected minimum 64 - 65 mph

What is wrong ?? Obvious the prop, yes but I find it strange that 500 hp not is capable to spin 5500 rpm
With my set up

I hope this is not hijacking the tread ;-)

Summer greetings from Oslo, Norway

Ps 3100 rpm 35 mph 4100 rpm 46 mph

Yeah, something is wrong there. My "not so in tune" 89 242 has run 56-57 on GPS with the 23P Mirage that the boat came with. 502 Mag (415 HP) equiped is supposed to run 62 per Formula.

I think the prop is wrong. The hull really likes a Mirage (not the Mirage Plus). Perhaps try a 22P Bravo 1?

Hi Tom

I do not know how many mph I have to blame the bottom paint ?
I have a SS model the drivers position is bit more in front of the boat then the LS, because the
Fact that the for deck is a shorter.

Why do the 242 hull not run well with a mirage plus ??

How high is your rpm at full throttle ?

Picture of boat and engine :-)

From what I've read the Mirage Plus is cupped versus the original Mirage which is not. The cup is like adding more pitch on the top end. I don't know the specifics, and I could possibly be way off, but this is what I've read and heard.