TUFFboat

What kind of drive enhancements is everyone using when your in that 800+ hp range? What kind of life cycle do they provide?

Mark

Steve Zuckerman

Eddie,
Our dyno test did enable us to find some extra horsepower, but as far as statistical data goes, it is useless.
I drove Nate and Jeff's boat with the TC motor. Nate was quite capable and familiar with it when it was stock, but it was proving to be a handful for him with the new motor. I guess the 496MagHO with CMIs could get low 70s under good conditions.
I drove it briefly (with the TC motor) for one hard pass, the throttle trim wasn't working, the tabs were a lttle FAST , and I was trimming with the dash buttons, so it was far from hung out. Anyway, the tach did read 5400 with their 32" Bravo 1 and 1:35 gears.
I flipped the GPS speedo recall on and the needle was falling off. Nate says that's how it works (mine will stay on peak speed until you turn it off or erase it, don't know if their's is hooked up correctly?). He also said it was reading 94, and that seems correct. Again there was plenty left. I never got on the trim or ran very far.
The boat handled just like mine, a little torque roll to the left on acelleration, and then smooth as silk. I think Nate was over trimming, because he was used to "milking" the old motor and setup for speed. I couldn't get it to chinewalk at all. It should handle great when you get the rigging straightened out. Keep us posted.
Regards,
Steve

Steve Zuckerman

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the review. I know you've built and dynoed several big motors for Heats. You have an excellent data base, as well as a dyno that actually works ...............
I do think the Imco a handles better than the stock XR housing, and the faster you go, the more it helps. There has to be some water deflection off that blunt nose, short torpedo at the speeds we're running. The Imco has that nice long radiused torpedo that I'm used to from racing Merc outboards.
BTW, we had Leading Edge nose cones added to one of my buddy's 42' Fountain with 575s/XRs. His speed picked up 2 MPH, and his RPMs fell (I think) 200. This was with 30" P5-Xs. The fellow who did them also built my racing housings. They look EXACTLY like an IMCO now. I measured the tip of the torpedo to the trailing edge, and it's exactly the same as my IMCO @ 22.5"s. I think we figured out where IMCO got their master plug for their mold ....................
There is also a signifigant savings by switching stock XR (or other Bravo) housings to IMCO style with the Leading Edge nose cone, and this guy does a great job welding/plumbing/blending/painting them. You can put my Imco next to my friend's XR/LE and they are exactly the same. The only thing you can't get from his setup, unlike IMCO, is a shorty. Of course on our boats, shortys aren't needed anyway.
Let me know if you need his contact #s and I'll hook you up.
Best Regards,
Steve

Nordicflame

iTrader: (4)

Steve,
How does the water pickup work our on this nose cone application. The transom mounts do not work very well on these hulls so a good LWP nose would be desireable.
Thx,
Dave

Steve Zuckerman

Mark,
I can only speak for my setup. So far, I am very pleased with my updates, but hey it's a Bravo, so next week could be different .
Eric Betty of EB Marine (615-714-2944) built my drive, as well as my motor. He has some new tweaks that seem to be working well for us. I don't think I should discuss his proprietary information here, as it is his profession. I would give Eric a call regarding upgrading your drive(s). He does a fantastic job keeping us running here in TN.
Regards,
Steve
PS, love your boats......they look great. how is the inboard coming?

bobl

Eddie, I think we are a different breed than most folks you'll deal with. We're very detail and numbers oriented. Numbers don't lie. We've spent a ton of time and money getting the data we have. I retired from a career working in a laboratory
doing applied R&D on telecommunications, electronics and computer equipment. The boat/engine business is my passion turned profession. Nordicflame is an engineer who got addicted to performance boating. Steve.....well, he's just passionate, and he likes his boating too! LOL.

Steve Zuckerman

Dave,
Using the LWP Leading Edge, it works just like an IMCO. The only problem I have had (with the IMCO) is excessive water pressure. Fixed with some intake manifold dumps recommended by Eddie Young, and a Mercury 30 PSI pop off valve (which didn't open until 40PSI, and Eric adjusted for me).
Regards,
Steve

Young Performance

Steve,
You said you drove the boat in the low 70's, so why did everyone have a hard time believing me when I said it ran 72? Is this an unusally high speed for a 28 with a 496HO?. Nate is going to need a little seat time before he stands on it. I believe this is their first performance boat. What better way to get into high performance boating than a 28 with 950 hp

Mark,
This boat has a Max Machine bravo. Don't know how well it will hold up, but I will keep you posted.

Bob,
Accurate numbers are exactly what I was looking for. Untrue and unrealistic numbers don't do me any good. I appreciate the time that you guys have spent helping me.
Thanks, Eddie.

Indy

I think he started with a 575, could be wrong though.

Young Performance

Steve started with a 575, but this one started with a 496 HO with CMI headers and ran 72 mph.