Help... Looking for expert advice.
 

Good day all, I've been here before some years back, but I can't remember my old login info, but that doesn't really matter. I'm back because this was the best site to get tips, tricks and links to gear, equipment and contacts. This and Scream&Fly are some of the greatest communities of people with useful information one could ask for. Have I stroked you all's ego enough? Ok enough buttering you all up. I recently acquired a 1995 Baja 272 Shooter, and she needs love and is near enough a clean slate. So here I am. Let's start with the main ingredient... The engine. I know the usual choices are like 7.4, 454 and 8.0 around 500hp range but I'm looking for something a little more spicy liiiiiiiiiike 800hp, OK, OK a lot more spicy. Can you guys chime in and help me out here, firstly how much can the Bravo I drive safely handle without going BOOM? Next is where can I get one and not have to take out a mortgage to purchase it. I'm thinking of one of those supercharged EFI race motors, used of course but refreshed. I got some other questions like raising drive height for better performance but let's just start with this. Thank you all in advance and I look forward to your input. This should be good, maybe a few laughs also.

Bravo: about 500 hp. More if you add a DriveGuardian, strengthened parts, etc.

Where to find an engine: Look in the Classifieds and Swap Shop (or whatever it is called) here on OSO.

I'd recommend a big cubic inch NA motor. I have two 588s in a 340 Powerquest and love them. They're carbed and have 300 hours on them so far. They sound great, are 10:1 compression and they haul the mail. On a single engine application with the HP you're acquiring I'd run the SCX upper/SC lower for all around reliability and performance. I ran a single engine 800HP boat with that setup and the drive did very well. It's not cheap to go fast so pay a little more in the beginning for reliability and you won't have down time and an even larger bill in the long run.

800 is pretty steep for a single engine system. What does the 27ft Baja weigh? A single drive pushing more than 4000-5000lbs creates more load.

Check out the Mercury Racing 800SC. It's a 572cid BBC. 4.5 bore x 4.5 stroke. 420 Megablower. 240° cam.

Going NA to 800hp is very possible, but hard on valvetrain even with a large CID base and modern head designs.

A 540 with an 8/71 would be a good place to start. Carbed keeps things simple. Depends on your budget.

#5 or #6 drive would make iife easier on you. No free lunch to operate at that power.

Can the Baja safely handle the expected MPH?

As an example, Baja 232 hulls can't go any faster than 70mph without issues.

Are you doing your own wrenching? Paying a shop to do all this would be hazardous to your CC.

JonD,

Not sure what your budget is, but this....

Yes I have a NEW 496 8100 HP3 MOD 3 from Inv Marine - Page 4 - Offshoreonly.com

... and a matching Whipple kit and you're there. Yes, this puts you at $25K or more, but, as has been said, the price of admission for 800HP ain't cheap. Aaaaand you still need a drive that will handle it.

Thanks. Brad.

Thanks, and I think I'm going to take that advice about the drive and get your recommended setup.

Thanks.

Thanks for your feedback,
going to have to find out about the weight but she seems to be pretty light for a stock empty 27ft Baja.
About the being able to handle the extra power and speed, I'm pretty confident that the 27' can. I mean 27' is a fair amount of boat for a single engine operation.
I'm interested in something like that 800SC or SCI if I can get one at the right price. I may have to pick your brain about some of that other engine jargen you spit out as I'm not so fluent on these big motas.
Drives; #6 you mentioned, OUCH, no free lunch as you casualy put it. Take my left arm and while your at it go ahead and help yourself to my right arm, testies, blood and anything else you might want price. That previous mentioned drive setup may be more reasonable. I don't recall the #5 drive, I'll look into it.
Thanks again.

Thank you and OUCH Brad.

JonD,

A quick Google search shows the boat weighed 4350-4400lbs dry when new.

Thanks. Brad.

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...r-engines.html

$20k for a complete 572 8/71 blower engine. If the guy would separate the pair.

That is one issue you have...these types of engines are typically in pairs.

Baja 27s like to chine walk. You'll need external hydraulic steering to do what you want and have a margin of safety.

Did I miss where you stated speed goal on the Baja vs just HP? 27s are listed around 4250lbs. But that is pretty light for single engine 27. With the swim step, the hull only has 25.5ft wetted surface. Essentially a 25 Outlaw.

articfriends has(had?) a Baja 27. Maybe he could chime in and gove you some info on your goals etc.

His 272 with 750hp ran 85mph.

Cary with his Formula 233 and the new Mecruiser 520 power was getting 70mph. 233s can be heavy.

Speedmaster Drive info:

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...ter-drive.html

Whatever you think this project is going to cost you, double that amount

Looking at my brochure for that boat, it shows a dry weight of 4,250 with the biggest engine - a Hi Performance 490 hp/525 cid. 90 gallon fuel tank so add ~600 pounds for fuel. Add another 200 pounds for 'stuff'. So you're going to be just over 5,000 pounds in 'normal' trim.

24 degree deadrise. 38" draft.

Response to Grff...
Yeah, I know (BIG sigh).

That boat will be a hand full with that kind of power and don’t forget it will need full hydraulic steering.

Thanks for the useful information. I'm absorbing as much as possible.

Responding to Tartilla...
I would be very satisfied with around 80mph.
I absolutely will be going with hydraulic steering.
Great advice and good notes.

You put all that money, good parts and effort into the boat, and afterwards, you will still have a Baja...

Well aware but thank you.

What's wrong with Baja? Ok it's not a Fountain, Cigarette, Donzi or even a Scarab, could be worse.

Nothing really wrong with a Baja, but if you are trying to go fast it is best to start with a hull that was designed to go fast. Just be aware that you are going to spend north of $50K on a boat that will never be worth over $10K. The only way out is to either part it out when you are done with it or take your drivetrain and put it another hull.

This is starting to sound like I should aim a lot lower for this boat.

Nothing wrong, but the market for go-fast Bajas is rather limited.

Even if projects like this are never rational, most people would not start with a Baja, as you will get even less of your money back than with some of the builders you listed, should you sell one day.

Ok, give it to me straight, should I be looking for something more like 500+hp and a good Bravo drive keeping cost lower and be happy it floats upright and still does a respectable speed maybe 70. I'd be ok with this if you all recommended it as I am well aware of the experience and expertise on this site.

Thanks Markus, I thought Bajas had a little more clout than they do.

Yep. Find a 502 Mag and a Bravo drive and go boating

Exactly what I was starting to think. I know what the 502 is but help me out, what's the Mag? Is it Magnum?

Markus pretty much suggested this right from the start. Sorry for not getting the hint. Actually, pretty much everyone was suggesting that in a roundabout way, this is why this site is so great. No BS just good information straight forward. Now to find this setup.

Mag is just Mercury branding.

Gotcha.

What gear ratio should I be looking for with the 502 and Bravo drive setup, 1.50:1?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7e6b26d492.png
I was looking at this.

Also this...
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4b408decca.png

There was also this 1.35:1
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...aa16d85f15.png

JonD,

Or.... :rolleyes:

Back to my earlier suggestion... The Innovation Marine 496HP3 clone, without the Whipple, and the XZ gear and cone clutch upgrade kit for your Bravo drive. It's a VERY stout, NEW engine, well built with all the right parts.

Thanks. Brad.

Let's put it into a Classic Car frame.

Bajas are decent boats, but at the low end of the price and quality spectrum, even when new. My 1999 Baja Boss 233...I'm astounded at the corners cut in the quality.

Bajas are maybe like the 70s Mustangs. Nice to have, but not the following or performance potential of a Corvette/Camaro/Chevelle etc.

Fortunately, the classic car pricong has not hit Performance boats the same way. That is changing for some Brands/models.

There's lots of hulls with no power that would be a better easel for your plans.

But if you like the Baja...go for it. 80mph is likely a relatively safe speed with the correct parts. But how mich time would you spend there? 3% of the engine run time?

70mph is still pretty quick, and maybe you setup for a 45mph cruise speed. Pretty sure the Bravo Drive would endorse this plan...

Tartilla,

This. It was common practice to simply drill holes and run lag screws into the stringers for the engine mounts. I also understand they simply cut the holes through the transom for the drive and exhaust and bolted everything together with silicone and a prayer. I just can't imagine.

JonD,

You would do very well for yourself to thoroughly inspect every attachment point that went through wood for water intrusion while you've got everything out. One dick's opinion.

Thanks. Brad.

Mercruiser made a mistake using the Magnum term often with no meaning.

Mag engines typically indicate a performance duty internal parts spec.

As an example: BBC 356 Mag is a 365hp 454 (at prop spec) with a forged 4" crank, forged domed pistons, and good forged rods w/ 7/16" rod bolts vs the 3/8".

Far more suitable for the sustained high rpm duty of perf marine engines.

All BBC blocks from 1991+ are 4 bolt main. Gen VI blocks have factory roller lifter provisions.

Would be best to find a 500-600 NA engine that just needs a re-fresh at most.

The engine is the easy part..it's all the marine accessories and exh manifolds etc that create the cost.

You will not be able to pull a 1.35 gearing with a 502 mag mpi, or probably anything less than 700 hp.........the 1.35 is used when the 1.50 runs out of prop and rpm ( limiter )

Yeah, I know you got me there but at the time I was howling at the moon and to me you may have been a used car salesman try to pitch your deal. (no offense)
However, in case you missed it I gave you due credit about being spot on from the start.
So that engine you selling will suit my current requirement and also a drive? PM me a price.