Another 7.4l 330 hp mod question
 

Hey guys new to the forum and loving it lots of great knowledge here. I have just picked up a 1994 Baja islander 208 with the 454 330hp version and want to do some up grades over the winter. I have done a whole bunch of reading on this subject including using the search. what I have planned so far is installing a msd 6al, pro billet dist, blaster coil, and wires (I already have these from another project) 496 ho exhaust manifolds, and rebuild the q jet. I also want to change the intake manifold what I am thinking is a edelbrock performer rpm air gap or whould I be better off with a performer only? any other recommendations? also will the 496 exhaust manifolds/risers work with my capt choice or will some mods need to be done? I have a extra 454 4 bolt main that I will redo for the boat..... one day......when I get time.......when I get the money................................

thanks guys

i have an opinion but i think il keep it to myself this time.

Plz share all opinions are welcome

Everyones opinion is that ,,,an opinion
I have personally beat the crap out of cast crank 3/8" rod bolt motors, making way more power than a lot of people say is safe, in past years ...Just don't turn them over 5000 or so.
Only my w.a.o.

i wonder why merc did not use a 330 engine for the 365-370 and the 420,i guess there engineers were just not smart enough to save money in doing so.like motor said,a cast crank will live if kept to a 5000 rpm limit.

There are allot of guys starting threads wanting to know how to upgrade their stock motors, and there are just as many ways to go about doing so. If you get more specific about your goal weather it be a top speed or a horsepower number and tell us about what kind of time and money you want to put into it you will get more specific and useful advice.

I want around the 400 hp mark. Money I am not sure i have a buget but don't know what it is lol. I was thinking about putting a set of vortec heads on it. I believe I can use the rockers and push rods in it as well? I believe I need to change out the lifters tho? I might do the cam as well. I am just collecting parts as of right now any thoughts on this?

all the engine builders around here agree the base block, when properly done, will live happily at 500 hp in a boat.

You really should look up "330 on roids". If I recall, he made 475hp, and it was still big money. I looked into this prior to deciding to go the 496 stroker route. You will need the conversion rocker studs for the L29 heads and aftermarket cam large enough to make 400hp. It is quite impressive how much abuse a 330 can really take. Several guys here have had good luck with upgrading the rod bolts to ARP's and sticking with everything else on the lower end. Good luck with your project!

Once again this is a good example of a 330 build-up with dyno results and a budget outlined.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...l-results.html

Max, Here's a build I did on my 330HP 1997 Baja 212. Boat is very similar to yours and it will have more speed and power than that haul should have. My 212 is my river boat here at home. Combo works excellent and I have over 350 HRS on it.

1st, it's a must you have to ditch the heads. I used Edelbrock Performer marine heads. Cam I used was a Hardin/Comp
grind they sell #295111008K (includes lifters) Duration @.50 224/224 lift w/ .566 lift & LC 112. You will need new pushrods with correct length (have your builder check). Comp magnum roller rockers, Intake Performer RPM air gap. Eddelbrock Performer marine carb. Also you are going to need more air so ditch the factory flame arrestor. I also used Harden for this. With the 208 Baja, you'll need to check your hatch clearance for the new arrestor. Lastly I use Stainless marine manifolds. They worked awesome on my Baja 212. I'm not sure on your 496 exhaust manifold ideas so I plead the 5th. For ignition I kept the stock electronic thunderbolt which works fine. I'm not sure what your 208 has. Hope this helps. FYI my dyno on this combo was 492 HP. So you can hammer it out of the hole because your drive will not handle it.

Sorry Maker's #46 bourbon is working on my brain: You CAN NOT HAMMER IT OUT OF THE HOLE!! You will break your drive

That's too bad because u speak facts!

thanks for all the great info guys

Save you're money and put into the 4 bolt block you have. The modifications that you listed in your first post will not do one thing for power, other than lighten your wallet.. You will not need to run anything other than the thunderbolt ignition system. You can change the curve buy swapping out the inanition module. What one you should use will be determined by your build.

You can certainly build a 400 Hp 330 but why if you have a better block. As you will read in the other 330 mod links that were posted, they were all completely overhauled. So if your going to overhaul an engine, do the 4 bolt block. Forged 454 cranks are a dime a dozen, as are the better rods. Do it right the first time.

I will suggest this- if you ever replace the heads is don't waste your money on edelbrock heads. They flow no better than stock heads. You can get Dart, AFR or Brodix for the same price and they will run circles around the edelbrock heads.

thanks endeavour32 that is what I was thinking as well. I am going to do some maintenance work on the boat (oil changes,plugs,wires,cap,rotor) and run it for the year. collect up some parts over the next 12 months and rebuild my 454 4 bolt main with all forged internals. going to go for the 500 hp mark with the fresh rebuild. after that all I will have to worry about is the drive. I don't think that the bravo 1 will like that hp if I start beating her up. thanks for the info guys this is one awsum fourm

I'm surprised that in all of the BBC build up threads on OSO I don't think I have ever seen anyone bring up Profiler when talking about cylinder heads. I have seen just enough dyno data to think they are worth serious consideration in the quest for a max horsepower combination. Here are some dyno results to back up this statement.

First is a 454, flat tappet hydraulic cam, Profiler 290cc heads.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e/viewall.html

Second, a 460ci, hydraulic roller cam, Profiler 290cc heads.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323718

I wouldn't worry about your drive at all, assuming it's a bravo. Your boat is light and I seriously don't think your going to stress it enough that your going to break anything, even at 500 HP. The worst thing you can do is get big air and not throttle right; however, a 208 Islander isn't designed for that kind of boating, and won't last long. At that point its best to just get another boat.

A set of AFR 265's would probably work quite well on a 454. You can get a set with the inconel exhaust valve upgrade for around $2100.

The more I think about this subject the more I would just leave your boat as it is. Your boat is going to be pretty quick with a 330 in it. It's a fairly small boat for that kind of power. Sure with a bigger engine your going to go faster but there is a limit as to how fast a 20 foot boat should go. IMO 500 hp is just to much for a boat that size. Things can happen fast and a boat that size can get dangerous in a hurry. Plus to get 500 hp your going to spend close to $10,000. Trust me I know, I've done it and I got a lot of good deals. Which I have to say have kind of dried up over the past few years. So if you take your boat and sell it when your ready for more speed, take that money and the money for the other engine you'll have $20,000. For that kind of money you could buy a much safer, faster boat. I know it's not what you want to hear but it really is the smarter route. If you take a $10,000 boat put a $10,000 engine in it your still have a $10,000 boat. You'll never get your money back when you decide to sell it. If you must have more speed, find a nice stock 502 to put in it, it will be easier to sell later and you'll have far less into it.

Oh no........here we go again.

Endeavor32 valid point all the way around but the more time you spend thinking about what direction is the best financially the closer you get to realizing boats and speed equals parasitic financial loss.....lmfao.....I agree it's a good idea to keep in mind the value of the boat when considering upgrades which brings us back to a few cost effective modifications that produce proven results. If a guy wants to drop a few grand to make more power or 10's of thousands to make lots more power that's up to him. But once again you have a very valid point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL5cyKdWnF0 Crazy ''Wette Vettes'' old 210 Baja with a 496 stroker making big power. This wasn't a little 9:1 deal that's for sure. :coolcowboy:

I agree to a point 500 hp might be to much for the boat. I cannot go to a bigger this is about the biggest I can buy reason being is that it is getting pulled behind a 38 foot 5th wheel witch is being bulled by a 3500 maga cab dually. yes I know I am way over the legal length only by about 10 feet lol. The truck is rated to tow this weight plus more, back to the boat... I don't think It is going to cost me 10g's for a 500 hp 454 done right. I just cant see where all the cost comes from but I could be wrong. The 454 I have as a spare has all forged internals witch is a good start. I was going to put a set of heads, intake and cam and freshen it up. drop that one in and let her rip. what kind of top end do you guys that this boat will have with the 330 55,60,65......110 mph.........................................

I agree the Edelbrock Marine heads aren't as good flowing as a Dart, Brodix, or AFR of comparable size, but they are much better than a stock 330 peanut port, and similar, but better, than a GM iron rectangle port.

Everyone I know who's used them, has been extremely happy with the quality as delivered with them, for an out of the box head. For 1700 bucks a pair shipped to your door with Inconel valves and marine coating, they are a great replacement for the heavy GM iron castings at a great price.

http://www.amazon.com/Edelbrock-6155.../dp/B000N8IOHK

Stock 330HP, 70mph. A 21Ft boat that runs 70, is plenty fun. Run like endeavor32 said, and enjoy it as is before you throw power at it.

ya I agree on that, the more I add it up the more sense it makes to just leave it alone do some maintenance items on it. Put some synthechic fluids in it, a tune up , a once over and let her rip. 70 mph is moving along pretty good

MT that video reminds me of my friend that has a 21 ft. Checkmate with a 598 in it....... Some people just like living on the edge.

Demax990 you could always build yourself a good running 454 and stick the 330 back in if you decide to sell the boat and keep the 454 you built for another project.

Oh.... and we definitely need to see pics of that double trailer setup going down the road!

I only have a pict of my 05 duramax with my old boat it is for 2012. when I get the new boat hooked up to the trailer I will take another one with the new set up but it will not be until next year

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...ps79sol00b.jpg


sorry it took so long but here it is

Oh look! A choo-choo train!

I would be scared $hitless trying to haul that around.

Bet that gets fun going down a steep grade at 75 on the interstate when the air stream from a Freightliner hits you.

It is the freightliner that is the one that has to worry about my airstream :D but the truck it really pulls that like nothing I did not think it wound tow as good as does but man that truck can haul some serous a$$. The worst thing I get is I call it the "snake affect" when the truck goes over a bump and the the trailer then the boat it makes the truck ossolate more than normal but other than that it unreal

backing that down the ramp will be a challenge...

That looks like a chine-walkin' sumb!tch! :boat: :)

Im collecting parts for a similiar build but im only shooting for 4-415hp. 330 bottom end, pocket ported 781s with larger valves, edelbrock airgap, undecided on cam but probably a piece from a hp420, and a vacuum seconday 750. Of course all the supportin peices also but thats the gist of it.

Onto installing 496 exhaust. People say you need to drill out the holes and everything but i did not find that to be the case. I used aluminum ones and the only thing i had to do was make a y because of my thermostat setup, get longer bolts. And block off the temp sensor port. They are louder and seem to have gained me one mph. Even though i havnt come across perfect conditions to best the boats highest speed. But based on load and most conditions from last year with stock exhaust i am 1-2 better now.

Beaver, sent you a PM - I'm in the same neck of the woods.

Hey guys so after all that and me fu*king around trying to get more power out of it I ended up spinning a rod. So now I got to do something should I go with the 454 again and do a build to say 500hp (fully forged) or just go to a 502. Does anyone have anything for sale for under 4k?

Going to have a 502 full roller gen 6 in that range here soon not sure if I'm close to okotoks ab though

There is always shipping