OK - I've been reading this site all summer. I have finally joined at "Mac Daddy" membership!

I have a '01 Heat - we LOVE IT. I have 3 daughters and a wife and the ability to go below and have privacy is great. Now that the family's needs are met. Dad's turn.

We bought the boat new. Has a 502 MAG with B 1 outdrive. This winter, I am going to pull the engine and take it to my local builder. A referral from a Great Friend of mine who has been racing blown acohol flat bottom drag boats for about 20 years. Anyway - my friend tells me that this guy - Guy will build whatever you want. I contacted him and told him I want turn key 85 MPH in my 28 heat. Which by the way with a 24 pitch Bravo 1 prop @ about 4900 RPM going down river on the Columbia (sea level) gets 64.9 on GPS. Anyway. Builder says let's get the engine to the shop. Examine what we have....

Balance, refresh with bearings, rings, oil pump etc.

My plan is to spin the motor a bit higher than 5k, Add procharger M3 SC with intercooler etc. I want to add a bit to engine but still be able to pull the kids on tube.

What kind of stuff have you all done to acheive the 85 MPH mark and still have runability etc.

Like I said. I've been reading the forum for a while. I used to build street motors - small blocks. Haven't turned wrenches for a while and think all of you guys GOT IT GOIN' ON!.

I love my NORDIC and am tired of junk walking by!

Any help is appreciated. And as soon as I figure out how to put my boat picture up -- I will and I am thrilled to be a part of a great crowd!!

Brad
Portland, OR

Brad,

Get a hold of Bob Lloyd at Full Throttle Marine. Bob has hit the 85+ mark in his Heat. Also, Bob is instlling a ProCharger on my motor and should be done within the next couple of months. Bob will most likely see this post and give you some good ideas.

Brian

To get an honest 85 MPH will require 700+ HP. A PC on a stock 502 won't get you there. Several of us have Heats that run those speeds, all running well over 700 HP. You'll also need to upgrade your drive to at least an XR.

I'm running a 555 CI engine with Brodix aluminum heads & Whipple EFI supercharger system. Merc ITS/XR drive system. It runs upper 80's. Steve has a 575SC modified to around 750 HP and runs mid 80's. NordicFlame's old 28 is running over 900 HP with a 540 CI engine, procharger and supercooler. It runs well over 90. That should give you a good idea of the power required. You can get the power you need out of the 502, but it will need a good cam and heads along with the procharger.

The boats handle great at those speeds but I'd definitely add full hydraulic steering.

Thank you guys for the replies. Which hydraulic steering system do you prefer. That is also on the list. I've read a couple of posts out here about needing a custom part from a company to extend the connecting point to the outdrive. My boat did not come with the steering and I think the exhaust is in the way. I think the company was WPM.

Do you like the double ram or will single ram be adequate??

Thanks again.

Brad

Brad,
Welcome to the Nordic forum and congratulations on your Heat. I think you can get your 85, but as our resident expert Bob says, it takes 750ish HP to get there consistently. I say consistently because weather and loads affect the performance of our and all HP boats a lot. So you'll need to find another 325/350 horsepower in your upgrades.
Supercharging, definitley, intercooling definitely, good breathing (cam and heads) definitely. If you keep your Merc EFI system, it will need extensive reworking to feed enough fuel to make 750HP. You'll need larger (lbs. per hour) injectors, a higher PSI/GPH fuel pump and regualtor, and ECU reprogramming. Fuel injection is more complicated to modify than carburetion, but is more user friendly, and definitely the way to go IMHO. I'm sure Bob can be of help here.
Bob is also on target with upgrading your drive and steering. 750HP pounding a standard Bravo isn't going to last long. The valve I think you are referring to is called a Brazil valve, which does allow you to convert your standard cable/power steering to partial hydraulic. I would definitely go with full hydraulic to helm (I've run both, you'll like the full hydraulic much better), and dual ram with that kind of horsepower and speed. Mine has Imco, and there are other good units out there too.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Best Regards,
Steve

Just make sure your builder knows how to set up marine performance engines, not just drag race engines. It's a totally different ball game than automotive or drag racing.

As a former drag racer, what Bob says. Running 100 in a 1/4 mile, takes a totally different setup than running a 100 for 14 miles ...........
Steve