Used to run around the big local lake in a skipro extreme barefoot boat that ran a lingenfelter 406 with a dart aluminum block coupled to a volvo duoprop. Looked just like the original malibu wakesetters. Used to wait at the cut through for the big guns to rumble through. Or picklefork jets with headers. Only blower motor flattys could take it. And they didnt come out on busy weekends . That boats holeshot used to make people come and look from across the lake to see what it was , it would top out at about 75. Would toss everybody and their coolers right out of the boat in anything more than 3 footers even going slow. You may take the regret to your grave it you dont go for it

Helped a cust get a one off 27' sleek with twin berk jet pumps and bbc motors get from mid 40s to low 60s where it was getting into the limits of safety with that combo. But man that thing came out of the hole like a supercharged jet skii. Definetly a fun sleeper. Just need someone that knows what they are doing to provide input in person . Lots of broken dreams out there. But get it right and you will have plenty of reliable fun.and you will burn alot of gas.

Thanks for all the advice and replies.

Project is well underway and I'm in good hands with Mark at MER Performance Marine. Outdrive and steering have been addressed. Longer trim tabs will be added as needed. Everyone involved with this build is very comfortable with the hull we are using.
I also know that the end results of reliability are in my hands and that black lever.
Confident that Mark can fine tune the Holley EFI system so it meets my needs.
CMI headers should work nicely to wake the condo up on Saturday mornings
The thump, thump, thump of the exhaust note, should be the only thing that gives "Chillin tha Most" away, as being more than just a mild mannered bowrider.

Thanks again board!

mark builds great motors

Im counting on that!

Oh. No CMI Headrers, Found nice set of Keith Eickards

Quick update on my sleeper project.

Drive is now upgraded. Bravo 1 Lower with 1.25" output shaft and XR carrier bearings and gears along with vertical shaft.

Mark has started machining the bran hammer new Merlin III block. Everything about this build is geared for reliability,durability, and drive ability. A 700HP, NA, 89 octane running, key shaker, is the goal.

Will post dyno numbers and final GPS numbers when complete, as well as final tally cost of build.

Have sold 454 engine ( no use letting it sit for 4 or 5 years) and then try to reuse it. Bravo 3 and props are for sale on internet. My logic to sell motor.

Chances are I will run this setup for 3 or 4 years, or until the speed bug bites me again. At that point, I find a 1997 to 2000 271 Formula Fastec with the stock 502 mag. Swap engines, and sell the 252 with a bone stock 502

Then I have an 80mph plus boat

When that gets to slow..............................who knows?

So you've done a lot of the work, new engine and drive almost complete, old stuff is nearly all gone, your pockets are a bit lighter and there's no turning back!

This thread just went from talking about something to actually doing something, good for you!

Hope it all comes together, look forward to hearing the results.

RR

Now when you say 2 to 3s... i hope youre talking meters... if so im in
If not get a rainbow flag for your barge

I attempted a similar project years ago and the results were less than what I hoped for. The best advice was given previously... move to a boat designed to go fast. Since you've decided to move forward, I will tell you details of my similar project and results.

Started with a 1990 Formula 242LS with tired 454 MAG (365HP) and original Bravo I drive. Had White Performance build a 620HP 496 using my block and kept original drive. Completely destroyed the Bravo I within 2-3 hours of use... vertical shaft broke driving the upper gears through the top cap. I then switched to a Bravo X upper and IMCO lower. With that setup I ran a best of 71 MPH on GPS. I thought the boat should be faster so took the hook out of the hull... the Formula's all have them. No speed increase whatsoever. At higher speeds the boat was squirrely and the steering was loose. It really needed hydraulic steering to be safe at 70 MPH. Long story short... these boats are made to go 55-60 MPH and there's not much you can safely do to make them go faster.

Since then I moved to a 35 Top Gun with big power and again big repair bills. The last two years I've piloted a DCB F26 with outboards. Best decision I've ever made related to boating. If I continue to want to go fast, my next boat will be a Doug Wright or MTI cat with 400R's on it. Otherwise, I'm moving to a CC.

Running with "the big boys" safely means $$$ and the faster you go, the faster you want to go.

Interesting............... 70 GPS is my goal...................as far as trashing drives...............its all in that little lever here on LKN. No 3 foot no backs to jump a drive out. Thanks for your input