1987 242 ls
 

Well this is our new baby 87 242 LS with a Magnum 454 still as an Alpha drive which was replaced about 4 years ago. I have been looking for information on Pizzagalli racing engines they did some work to it back when it was fairly new not sure what they did? I haven't be able to find much about them I did find where they used to be located but no phone #. I suspect he has retired but I maybe wrong. I starts an runs great i got about 50 mph on gps at 4800 rpm it was a little rough and I had the bow trimmed down quite tight not sure if it should be turning more rpm? We have had it out a few times but not the last 2 weekends hopefully we will get out on it at least 1 more time before we park it for the winter.
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A Few more pics.

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Looks nice, the 87 454mag was actually the 330 horse engine, not the later 454 mag 365horse.
50-52 is a good number for that engine in stock form. Looks like it has an aftermarker intake on it but not sure what other mods it has. The heads were the limiting power factor.

my stock 330hp '89 runs 52-53 with a Mirage Plus 21p at 4700 rpm, 54 with a labbed Bravo 1 22p at 4500. i would think you have room for improvement with some prop tweaking; what is on it now? i'm guessing it's under propped if your trimmed down and still turning 4800rpm.

This is what on it.
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Thanks!! I am not looking to race it I just wanted a good reliable big water boat. I figured the intake wasn't stock I am guessing they might have changed the cam. I just want to make sure it is equipped for optimal cruising and reliability.

yeah i'd say you're under propped for sure... that looks like a Vengeance prop.

the Mirage and Mirage Plus are much better for our hull... i'd start with a Mirage 23p or a Mirage Plus 21p.

...guess i should also ask if you know what your drive ratio is on that alpha? but still, if you're turning those rpm's with no trim, i'd still be inclined to think you need more prop.

Where can I find what the drive ratio is? I was told the drive was replace by the original owner about 4 years ago I am now the 3rd owner.

So I found a sticker on the drive that says 130 R now would that make it a 1:30 drive ratio?

Are you sure its not 1.32? That was a common ratio for the 454.
The 1.47/1.5 ratio needs a prop with about 2 more inches of pitch to equal the 1.32. So your 19 pitch is like a 1.5:1 with a 21 pitch.

^that was what i was thinking, so if it is in fact a 1.32 or thereabouts and given the rpms he's turning with no trim, that engine must be making some pretty good power.... so, still under propped.

That's quick, mine with the same prop (vengaence 19p) runs only 43mph with the 7,4 330hp merc.
Is the mirage 21p so much better than?

I have a Quicksilver Mirage 48 13702 a41 21p from a boat I had in the 90s totally forgot about it how does this compare to what has been suggested? Thanks

Toss it on and try it. Never hurts. A mirage plus would be a better suit but run what you have and see.

Sure will looks like next year unless we get some warm weather on one of these next few weekends..

I hate that, just got the old bird and have to hibernate it for a few months. Maybe you'll get the weekend you need.

Well this weekend is a wash and I here you when I bought it I new there wasn't much time left in the season but it is still hard.

Her are a few more pictures I also got the little red book with it.
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Here is the Alpha 1 drive.
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Very cool! Wish nine had come with the red book. Maybe you'll get to use it again before storing it

where in maine are you? Fog burned off at noon here and was low 80s, no wind. Buddy with a 242 and me ran up the kennebec

Down in Saco fog was very thick down here finally started to bun off just after 1. So i started to replace some questionable wiring some one had done when they put in 2 cheap toggle switches. So I got that all straightened out still need to get the dash put back in and tie up some wiring. That got put on hold when the wife wanted to take a 5 mile walk on the beach and enjoy the nice afternoon weather.

I`ll second that the fog was bad we took my Dads boat out perkins cove ran up to wells harbor you couldn't see any thing but it was flat out there.