Time to test the Whipple!!
 

OK, Not as early as I would have liked to started prop testing, but the weather has sucked..... Here's where we are starting, 525 w/stage 2 whipple (800hp??), Bravo 1 XR w/1" space (propshaft 3.5" below keel), and a 1.5 ratio gears. I have a labbed 28 B1 and a stock B1 32 in the shop. I'm sure the labbed 28 is out since I used it last year with a stock 525. Any and all input is helpful to get this thing right in the next few weeks. I will try the 32 first and post some numbers. What are the odds I'll have to go to a 1.36 drive?

Derek



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Did you have to move the seat forward and the hatch up?

Seat
 

I didn't have to cut the back seat at all, It clears by about an inch. I did have to cut the hatch. The bottom pad on the hatch had to be modified, which was a very easy deal. He cut the downturn in the fiberglass, cut out alot of the foam on the piece that is inset between the top cover and the back seat, installed a piece of a 2x4 or 2x6, notched it out to clear, then gel coated it back in. Upholstery guy did it all for $250, and you can't tell unless you're looking for it. I meant to take pics and forgot. I will post em soon.

Derek

Nice looking install. Looking forward to reading about your performance results!

Anyone have any thoughts on the XR Drive? Am I gonna shred this thing?? I am really pretty easy on the boat. All lake time, no wave jumping, and no idle to WOT instantly..... But, the initial cost offsets a few broken XR's ... I do know where a New Teague platinum shaft XR is at for way cheap, but what's the diff??

Derek

I really like the Merc Lab Bravo props...they are easy on the drive slip-wise...and they allow the rear of the boat to settle in nicely and handle well.

Don't be as concerned about slip...as you are about speed and boat handeling...and you will be on the right track.

I have done 104 with both 18 % slip with a Merc Lab Bravo...and 104 with about 10 % with a Hering six blade.

The Bravo handled better on the top end...the Hering felt unstable as it tried to pick up the rear of the boat...more blades equals more stern lift.

Both props (Hering 26 - six blade) and (Merc Lab Bravo 30) went 42 mph at 3000 rpm, and 63 mph at 4000 rpm (1.346 gears)

The only place the six blade did better than the bravo was coming on plane.

Chris

If indeed you're are at the 800hp mark, it's not going to live all that long if you enjoy the power. The upper gear will likely be what fails. I'd be looking at upgrading to the Imco SCX (they have an updated model coming out too), B-Max, or doing the Arneson conversion before you trash your XR... at least this way you can sell the XR to offset some of the upgrade cost while the XR is still good and has some value.

Hi Derek,
Nice looking installation. I would grab the 29"P5-X 05R1 had, if he still has it. That's my daily driver with approximately the same horsepower and gear ratio (1.5) you are running. It works well across the board, and is an easy 90+ even with a load in summer heat.
Eric Betty @ EBM just did a similar installation (525 + Whipple Stage 2) for a friend with a 29' Fountain. We tested a bunch of props and had the best results with my 30" P5-X, so we sourced another one for him through Chris.
Regarding drives, if you change the drive oil regularly (I change all my fluids @ 25hrs. or after a poker run), and keep a close eye on your magnets and oil (for shavings or worse chunks), I think you'll be OK with the XR.
No doubt the SCX is a beefier, better piece if you have an extra 10K laying around...........
Good luck with your testing and keep us posted :drink:.....
Best Regards,
Steve

I agree with Steve...

I would contact Ned (05R1) about getting his 29P5x as an all around good prop.

Great looking motor install and setup!...you are going to love the horsepower.

Chris

i still have it and fully agree :)

-Ned

Whipple
 

OK Guys, Here is the initial test results. The only prop I tested was a B1 32" that came with the 525 engine package when I bought it a year or so ago. It came off a 35 Fountain. It has some surface rust and 2 of the blades have some rash and nicks on the leading Edge. The boat did impress me out of the hole and in the midrange. It came up on plane VERY quick and was a rocket to 70!! The midrange torque was AWESOME!! It seemed like it went from cruising 30mph to 70mph in an instant!! Very pleased everywhere except the top...

RPM - MPH
3000 - 39
3500 - 49
4000 - 55
4500 - 65
5200 - 77

I figured prop slip at about 26-27%... What do you guys think? Where do we go now? The prop held the water Extemely well and didnt blow out anywhere. (which I was surprised about)

Ned, I would love to buy your p5x if it will work as an all around, haul the family-wakeboard-and cruise prop when it's 100 degrees outside and 5-6 people on board...

Elevation 650
80 degrees
10-12" Chop

Gonna borrow a B1 30 from a friend to try on monday or tuesday.

Thanks, Derek :drink:

Derek,
Your boat doesn't like that prop. Too much pitch (your RPMs are low), and obviously way too much slip. The 29" P5-X should raise your RPMs and cut the slip in half. More boost comes with more RPM, and more HP comes with with more boost. I would try to turn your motor just under the limiter (I think 5600, set by Whipple in the ECU) with a light load, 5500 to 5550. Picking up 200/250 RPM could give you another pound
of boost.
If you think your boat is quick now with the 4 blade, wait till you run the 5. Just remember to (try anyway :grinser010:) go easy on your XR.
Regards,
Steve

Hey Steve, How much will the 29 p5x raise the rpm from the 32? Is it more like a 30" prop? or should I try a 30 p5x? I can't imagine the boat being any faster to 70!! I'm pumped!! Hope the XR Holds!! LOL

Derek

The p5x that Ned has ....has been balanced and labbed by Hering specificically for a Nordic Heat...the prop used to be mine...but is too small for my current horsepower.

It should spin aproximately 300- 400 rpm more than a standard 32 bravo...and should put you exactly where you want to be rpm wise.

Chris

Call Ned and all your dreams will come true...............
Steve

Steve, that may be a bit optimistic but I still have the prop. Haha

-Ned

Well, The prop should be on the way tomm..... THANKS NED!!

Derek :evilb:

Yep, its all boxed up and will go out tomorrow

So how did you like the new prop ???????????????????

Inquiring minds....want to know. :lolhit:

Chris

I have been swamped at work and haven't taken it out yet... ITS KILLING ME!! Gonna try to go wed. Waited way to long to start this..LOL

Derek

You are killing us !!!!!!!! We really need some info on this bad boy. I'm sure that you will like the P5x.

????

Boat ran 83 on GPS at 5500 RPM. The lake sucked on memorial day weekend, we had wind and waves like I have never seen before. Me and my wife took it out sunday morning early, It was humid as hell and about 85 degrees. We also had 2 - 100% full tanks of fuel that we put in before we put the boat in the water to stay on the lift.. (which I regret, cause it obviously slowed the boat down). Also left the bow cover off, which usually helps my boat 2-3 mph. We practically idled through 4 footers, under a railroad bridge, and opened it up on the back side of the RR dam. It was close to topped out before we ran out of room. I had to shut it down, but it maybe had one more mph in it?? IDK??

The weather has FINALLY straightened up here and this weekend is time to test and tune. (Relax and Drink Beer afterwards) Really excited to get some testing in!! It was the worst thing ever to set at our slip with friends, stare at the boat on the lift, and talk about how fast it was gonna be... LOL

How much gas do these things hold? How much does Gas weigh? I will get some good numbers this weekend!!!:drink:

Derek

Hi Derek,
Gas weighs 6 pounds per gallon. Regarding full tanks, on my boat when the gauge reads full, I can still get another another 5 or so gallons of gas in them. The factory may be calibrating the senders this way to keep gas from overflowing out of the
vents, which is a violation if it happens on the water.
The tanks on my boat (and probably yours) are 42 gallon IMCOs. If you are truly "full", that is 504 pounds of gas.
Not only does weight affect performance, by lowering your HP to weight ratio, placement of weight (fore and aft, port and starboard) in a hull makes a big difference too.
Weight carried in front of the step, or ahead of the C/G, slows most boats down by making them run with more wetted surface, which induces more surface friction. Weight carried behind the C/G does slow the boat down some (because you can't fool physics), but nearly as bad.
Sounds like you had some tough water conditions and a full load, but your numbers are a lot better. I think with a lighter load, better conditions, and some seat time, you'll be fine. Don't underestimate the seat time. The last 2-3 mph of most high performance boats are attained by careful attention to, and use of trim/throttle/steering/tabs. BTW Derek I hate to sound like a buzz kill, but it sounds like you boat with your family and friends a lot (as do most of us). Please wear your life jackets and kill switch while running at speed. This is a lot of fun, but you can get hurt doing it. We don't want that to happen to anybody, particularly a Nordic Brother.
Regards,
Steve

I agree Steve... I think it will get better with seat time and especially condition.. As, Far as the life jackets go, I only run the boat at that speed with me and three people. My wife or two friends... NO kids or Booze. It is purely a rush for me and a few. No buzz kill at all, I totally agree!! Really excited for friday, and I'm headin' South!! (the lake) LOL

Derek