29p bravo on a rage?
 

I don't see being able to spin this but I've been told by 2 very reputable people that that is where I should be, the background is, stock 496 HO, 1.5 bravo X, stock 26p bravo, 5k all summer and 5100-to rev limiter in fall and spring, gps speed is 73-74 range, currently at around 12% slip, elevation is around 500', last run of 13' in late sept I was into the rev limiter with totally stock setup, I did install some cmi etops since then and being realistic on the headers I'm not expecting any speed gains but I do anticipate to pick up 50-100 rpm on top, with that said a labbed 28 from mercury should spin the same as my stock 26, which is not gonna work if I do pick up some r's from the headers, I just cant see spinning that big of wheel with only a 496, has anyone ever tried this or should I go with my gut and get a 28

I have been thinking the same thing. I run all summer on the rev limiter 5100-5200 with a stock 26P at about 300ft 73-75GPS. Wondering if a label 28 would work, otherwise I am looking at the whipple stage two Upgrade to give me a couple hundred RPM. A few guys are running this with headers and a lab bed prop getting about 80 GPS. I just don't want to lose too much coming out of the hole or midrange.

I don'believe that Merc makes a 29 inch Bravo One.

Padraig

It would be a 28 turned up or a 30 turned down

I would second guess that Whipple reprogram, the 496 makes max power at 5-5100, turning it faster will only harm it long term, that's why I'm where I'm at, those other guys running close to 80 is why there's cmi's on it now, I want to see if it really is possible, I'm expecting 76-78 realistically

I have a labbed 28 Bravo and I seen a best of 78 mph a few times. My boat has a totally stock 496 425HP in it also. It happens with 1/4 tank of fuel in each tank, 2 people on board, 6" to 1' foot of chop, and usually in spring or fall when temps are around 70 degrees out. The 28 does take some hole shot away, I usually run a 26 most of the year.

What rpm are you turning? And who labbed it? I'd be cool with running 78 in ideal conditions

It runs right at 5100 Rpm's. I am not sure who labbed it, was on the boat when I bought it. I have been thinking about sending both props to Bblades, I nicked up both props getting in shallow water.

I have similar issues with my Heat. But my slip is way worse. According to the calculators online, I have about 16% slip on a 26P Bravo. I think I may try to address the notoriously high x-dimension. Time to do some measurements. BBlades also has a spacer rental program now. 100 rental fee and 500 deposit for 15 days. If you decide to purchase, the deposit and fee go to the cost. I think I will give them a call on Monday. I want more speed :(

my buddy has a heat with the 500 also, he did a 1" spacer which helped his slip #'s and he picked up some mph, he's turning his 26 around 5300 and runs in the 73-75 range, without it he was around 71

wow, ok, I guess worst case is I don't pick up and r's and should still be able to spin the labbed 29 around 4900, which is still in range, i'll post results once I figure out what I'm doing and get some testing in

Interested in seeing what you gain I am running a 28P Bravo 1 Labbed through my 07' Rage 500 EFI. I see high 70's in calm with two full tanks and mid 80's in light chop at 5150 RPM's.

Update

ALOT of testing and many props later ended up with the bravo 28 lab bed by cutting edge. Two thumbs up to auggie and cutting edge. I've been testing props and tweeking them since April, auggie went above and way beyond to get me setup right, I can't stress enough how great he is and all he wanted was to get it right, which he did, ran 77.5 yesterday with slight wind chop, 1/4 in both tanks, 2 people with bow cover on, still finding that sweet spot with trim so 78 is almost certain once air/water temp goes down, cmi's did actually pick me up just under 1mph, so I went from 73.2, pre exhaust, 74 with, to 77.5 now, with a little more there, all in all, I believe 80 is possible at sea level, I'm at 793', worth it? Absolutely in my eyes!

mercury does now offer 29 pitch props. Bravo XS and FS. They have adjustable vent holes. I have a 29 FS and it works well on my heat with a 525 but I think a 30 is in store for me.



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