305 sbc
 

I have a 230hp 305 in a 20' br.Has anyone tried different cam, intake or anything else for a little more power?Or is it just not worth messing with.

Re: 305 sbc
 

I have an Edelbrock aluminum intake, 1 inch spacer and Holley in my center console and it gives it a little more umph....a little bigger cam would be much better I believe

Re: 305 sbc
 

I got the same,I figured it was near useless, so I am repowering with a decent 355 inch

Re: 305 sbc
 

problem with re camming is the heads still need to breath better

Re: 305 sbc
 

So unless you change the heads your just wasting time with cam?

Re: 305 sbc
 

how many hours on the motor? I was nearing 1000 and it was pointless to try and do any kind of work to it.

Re: 305 sbc
 

I wouldnt put any time or money into a 305 motor. You have to start off with a better base engine like a 350.

Re: 305 sbc
 

Woody,7-800hrs still runs like sewing machine uses no oil and pushes boat mid 50s just would like a little more power and of couse speed.

Re: 305 sbc
 

Checkmate, I never thought much of 305s either.I do have a nice 383 short block that only needs $1500 to finish, but worry about relyability.I use boat quite a bite 250-300hrs a season.And then there is the alpha factor

Re: 305 sbc
 

Mine ran ok, but my biggest issue is the fact I am out cruising a bit far from civilization and it's bad enough it's a single engine boat, but a single engine boat with 1000 hours on it. All I need is to lose a rod bearing or something ridiculous.

After speaking with no less than 2 dozen people with small blocks and alphas, the consensus was an alpha will live with common sense driving. No holeshots and keep the prop in the water and roll into the throttle. Im doing a nice 355 inch aluminum head motor and hope to have some fun in a few months. I plan on picking up one of those new knockoff alphas for 1300 new for a spare.
:D

Re: 305 sbc
 

Well, Alphas are a problem, but so are Bravos. How many hours on that Alpha? How much power will that 383 make? My last boat was small block powered, Alpha drive. I built a 354 for it. Made about 400 hp. I stayed on top of drive maintenance, never had a problem with it. I water skiied alot with that boat also. Took it easy getting up on plane, yes, even skiing. If you drive it right, the drive will be ok.
Funny thing, I never broke a drive until I got my Imco SC. But, in fairness to the drive, I have 680 hp now. In my opinion, it still should not have broken.

Re: 305 sbc
 

hey Cap you running on the illinois river? I just noticed your in seneca

Re: 305 sbc
 

My alpha has some time on it but just had marina freind re seal and give it the once over.My boat weighs about 2600lbs.My son, all 85lbs of him,spends most of his time on a tube,wake boad or skis.He pops right out of water,but I do have a freind the is like pulling a log.I still think if I didn't mash the gas it would be okay.Most of my runingis 25-30 mph on IL river.or shelbyville. Ky lake is the roughest water I see, and my boat is to small to go fast in those conditions.I guess I'll keep kicking this around,I still have a few months.

Re: 305 sbc
 

Woody,I'm on the river 4-5 times a week.We go out most days after work and take a few rides on weekends.I'm usually between Seneca and Morris chances are you probably have past me a time or to if you ever been down here.

Re: 305 sbc
 

Ya I bet I have, just do the 383, you won't regret it. I use to drop in at Stratton State Park
:drink:

Re: 305 sbc
 

I keep leaning toword the 383 I have a hard time deciding.60-80 gal of fuel a week with the 305 was a little pricey.I asume a 383 would have to use more.I drop in on privite ramp by springbrook.My white truck is usually on the ramp when I'm out.

Re: 305 sbc
 

It's only money and you can't take it with you
:drink: I am done with Stratton and the idiots that blow by there under the bridge, looking at some of the other really slow, no traffic launches way down river

Re: 305 sbc
 

Seneca has nice public ramp now.Marseilles is nice to but a little busy.I like going to Peru or Springvalley and running all the way to Peoria.NICE day trip 50 odd miles one way.

Re: 305 sbc
 

Will check into it, thanks

Re: 305 sbc
 

I went from a 260/350 to at ???/406 with Brodix, Ultradyne, etc... and changed props to a 27" on my old boat. At crusing speed 30 to 45 mph, fuel consumption dropped due to being able to drive the larger prop. WOT economy was cut in half however.

Re: 305 sbc
 

I went from a 5.7 to a 406 full roller and I cannot tell that it hurt the consumption any. I am putting it through an Alpha 1 so I'm a little scared to prop it up much. I am running a 14 1/4 x 20 at 5400 wot.