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Thunderbolt.......any upgrades?

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Old 03-23-2012 | 01:28 PM
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Default Thunderbolt.......any upgrades?

I've got a 1990 (91?) fairly stock 454 mag. The only upgrade is a slightly larger carb than stock (I think it's Holley dp 750 or so?). It is possible there could have been a mild cam upgrade in the past, but not sure of this (ie. timing cover and intake had been removed at some point and a super nice lopey idle.)

Anyway, boat runs great.........I've never touched the ignition system. I know the thunderbolt is a very good and reliable system. Are there any minor changes to the ignition system that might be recommended (for reliability and/or performance)? What about the coil?

Fuel: 87, 91, 93 octane? Sure get a lot different info on this one.

Thanks!

Last edited by bigbang; 03-23-2012 at 01:39 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old 03-23-2012 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by bigbang
I've got a 1990 (91?) fairly stock 454 mag. The only upgrade is a slightly larger carb than stock (I think it's Holley dp 750 or so?). It is possible there could have been a mild cam upgrade in the past, but not sure of this (ie. timing cover and intake had been removed at some point and a super nice lopey idle.)

Anyway, boat runs great.........I've never touched the ignition system. I know the thunderbolt is a very good and reliable system. Are there any minor changes to the ignition system that might be recommended (for reliability and/or performance)? What about the coil?

Fuel: 87, 91, 93 octane? Sure get a lot different info on this one.

Thanks!
A set of moroso spiral core plug wires.
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Old 03-23-2012 | 02:26 PM
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Yeah, I've got some high end plug wires on it already.......and I'm running ac r43ts plugs. Didn't know if a different coil would be any better, or if there's anything under the cap that could be improved.

Thanks.
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Old 03-23-2012 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bigbang
Anyway, boat runs great.........
If aint broke dont fix it .....if there has not much modifications I would think 91 would be fine ...original Merc specs say you can run 87 .....m

http://www.mercurymarine.com/service...?category=fuel

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Old 03-23-2012 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by offthefront
If aint broke dont fix it .....if there has not much modifications I would think 91 would be fine ...original Merc specs say you can run 87 .....m

http://www.mercurymarine.com/service...?category=fuel
Exactly, you're boat must have been broken when you put pro-charges on it.

Yeah, I think 87 gas can be a bit dicey, since the quality and true octane content from the refinery can vary considerably. At $5 a gallon, what's another 10 cents for better gas.
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Old 03-23-2012 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by bigbang
Anyway, boat runs great.........I've never touched the ignition system. I know the thunderbolt is a very good and reliable system. Are there any minor changes to the ignition system that might be recommended (for reliability and/or performance)? What about the coil?

Thanks!
If it is stock I would not change anything with the ignition. If you were spinning 6000RPM then I would consider something else. The thunderbolt is more than adequate and efficient for you setup. Also if you start bumping up the octane in your mag you might have a problem with black soot building up on your transom.
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Old 03-23-2012 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by bigbang
exactly, you're boat must have been broken when you put pro-charges on it.

Yeah, i think 87 gas can be a bit dicey, since the quality and true octane content from the refinery can vary considerably. At $5 a gallon, what's another 10 cents for better gas.
the boat had the procharger's on it when he bought it,,he just wanted to go faster then 92 mph!
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Old 03-23-2012 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Rookie
If it is stock I would not change anything with the ignition. If you were spinning 6000RPM then I would consider something else. The thunderbolt is more than adequate and efficient for you setup. Also if you start bumping up the octane in your mag you might have a problem with black soot building up on your transom.
You can go to the v6 ignition module. Better timing curve a little better performance.
Also, gas doesn't very. That is just myth. It is actually always higher octane than stated. Don't want to start in that topic but it's established.
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Old 03-24-2012 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by bigbang
I've got a 1990 (91?) fairly stock 454 mag. The only upgrade is a slightly larger carb than stock (I think it's Holley dp 750 or so?). It is possible there could have been a mild cam upgrade in the past, but not sure of this (ie. timing cover and intake had been removed at some point and a super nice lopey idle.)

Anyway, boat runs great.........I've never touched the ignition system. I know the thunderbolt is a very good and reliable system. Are there any minor changes to the ignition system that might be recommended (for reliability and/or performance)? What about the coil?

Fuel: 87, 91, 93 octane? Sure get a lot different info on this one.

Thanks!
Yes, keep the distributor. Buy a Daytona Sensor CD-1 box from Marine Kinetics, I distribute to him. They work with the hall effect system and the box is marine certified comes with a coil and you can program your own curve, set the rev limiter , buy the usb interface kit. Mark
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