02 lightning X
 

Semi staggered 700HP 575SCi's. 20.5X dimension (with -1" Imco's) on the old XR's. No NXT or ext boxes. Full cabin. Anyone done it? What were the results? With what props? I'm still debating the -1" Imco's. I hate to spend the dough and not get a rise (in speed).
Thanks for input, Rob

It has been done. There was a half staggered 38 at Lake Texoma a whle back with that same exact setup, only with -2 shorties. I believe it ran in 98mph range.

Boat does 96MPH now on the rev limiters with the stock lowers and a 19.5 X dimension. $10K for 2MPH? Ouch!!There's gotta be someone out there doing better with the same setup I have and shorties. I wonder if the -2's were too short. Monstaa has some 105+ boats with similar power but with the NXT's. I don't want to change the drive system. It's starting to get depressing looking at the new Donzi's and Formula's that are faster with similar or less power. This is a Fountain. It should be faster!!! Anyone one with my setup, please chime in. Thanks, Rob

I hear ya, but you are comparing a 7 year old boat to new competition???????? New Fountain 38 with 525efi's runs 96gps easy 115gps with 700's. You are in the delima of keep putting big $$ into an older boat to keep up with new technology.

I have many customers in the same situation, my advise is enjoy what you have and save your money torwards a new boat. You are already at the edge where you will start breaking drives or blowing up those motors.

BTW if you are hitting 96 with your current set up you are pretty much maxed out, ALSO I HAVE SEEN GUYS SPEND $$$$ AND LOOSE PERFORMANCE.

WILL:ernaehrung004:

Are NXT's and a full stagger what give the added 20MPH or did Fountain change the hull too?

Well a few variables so lets compare an 2000 88mph top end model with a 2007 96mph topend.
2000 model had 500efi's thats 50 HP less righ off, new one has full stagger, diff stepp placement, drives are mounted much closer , also a lower center of gravity.


Now if you want to compare the 700's, well they didn't exist, neither did NXT, unless someone has dynoed their motors after you change stock who really knows what their HP is??

Also in the 700's Fountain is using NXT gimbals/and upper/ #6 lowers and props, that is adding mph also.

hope this helps

WILL:ernaehrung004:

Not to mention 37" Herrings and different gears in the drives. I think it is like 1.81:1 or something like that.

IMCO's or nose cones gotta be worth some MPH on this boat...I hope!
Is the 2002 semi stagger, large step hull the same as the
2007's?
I did dyno the engines. 704 HP and climbing at 5350 when the limiter kicked in. The stock fuel system kept up fine to that point. I'm on the limiter now when running at 96. I don't want to install someones "chip" to increase the limiter without running on the dyno to watch what happens to fuel at the higher RPM's. Plus, spinning these blowers faster is not the best idea, I've heard. However, I did rebuild them at 200 hours and the bearings were fine. Installed new bearings and seals and was able to add seals for more protection against leakage. Spent about $100 to do both.

Only one way to find out. Get a set of -3 lowers and add spacers until you find the sweet spot. You may also want to look into adding Bmax uppers or just go with NXT / #6 drives if you plan to keep it a while.

OK, so you did your rebuild correctly (very Good) the nose cones will help, I am sure you tried this but, what props are you running Bravo, Hydro, Stelling???? honestly you are at the max limit of what your equipment can handle right now, even XR drives are only suppose to have 600hp on them.

I just hate to see you start breaking drives/gimbals, motors, for just a few mph.

WILL:ernaehrung004: