500EFI,525EFI and Vortec rules?
 

What is the latest on the rules with the differant power plants in Factory racing?Do they have a dead line on when they will tell us?Will it be subject to change during the season?Is this an exparament year for Factory?

I like new products but this realy tough to make rules to.How close are the 525EFI's to the Vortec? Are the dyno HP and tourque numbers the same?

Any word that Merc. might start a lease program?

Lots of questions with no answers.The first race seem's far away but it will be here before you have time to set up the boat before the season.Lots of big $$ dissions.
Randy

PS anyone want to buy my boat?I might sell it if someone buy's it quick so I have time to rebuild for next year

Randy... I HEAR ya MAN!...we built our F2 boat based on the 2003 rules...the weight is the largest factor/hold up in our testing right now...we leave next week for FL and still no added weight ruling for the Vortecs or Mercs. Vortec was not an option or a GO at the time we droped the engines in (friday prior to worlds)...from what I gather....both the Mercs and the Vortecs can be TOTALLY calibrated to have the EXACT curves. I wish we would have had the option in engines but....Oh-well....all things the same we would not have been testing for 2003 in November 2002, that's for sure.

I did not like the choice on changing engines again in the class...personally it was great for us...for the sport questionable (my .02)at that time.....BUT NOW that Vortec is in the same class as Merc.....Those companies WILL demand that both companies engines are as equal as possible. Were the 500 hp's?...NOT with out extensive investigation!..The 500 EFI's a little better with seals and other characteristics of a EFI engine ...the 525hp and being SFI? ....we have an on board computer that tells us what's up in a lot of areas...Now have a tech person plug in a lap top and they can tell how many mins you were at wot and what rpm...honestly, it removes the thoughts of..."humm, I wonder what he's done?"

Randy, would love to cya in F2 next year!

If they can controll the HP and tourque in the comp. why not lower it to the same as the 500EFI? Make it more durable.
Randy

Randy this is ONLY MY OPINION....

You have a GREAT point...but I (I) think that Merc is taking the known, proven, and reliable 500 EFI power plant; adding reliable horse power and compromising nothing with complimenting technology. The up-charge from the 500EFI to the 525 is no where near what the 575 is compared to the 500EFI.

Randy I know your question/thought is from a racers point of view...and I had the very same question as well, only my thought was to make #6 the drive to use in F2...WAY cheaper over a season than bravos. For the most part EVERYONE that starts the race will finish the race without mechanical complications....AND the added bonus would be all the teams that begin the year can complete the season with very low mechanical complications. Thus, preventing not finishing the season due to financial constraints.

Randy...you did a great job this year not only standing on the podium every race but your over all presence at the races!!! if your racing F1 next year, please let us know if we can help in anyway. if your coming to F2....be sure to always check that drain plug!!!:D

It`s for sale ???????

Randy,

You guys are already too fast. What the hell are you going to do with more horse power? See what I mean.

Ha.

Jim

http://www.f148.com/images/mk45shot11b.jpg

Is that like being shot out of a canon? Jim you have to much time.
Randy

What kind of kilo records with these new motors? Or will these be all new.
Randy

Hey Randy,Go to www.njsportpics.com,then Jersey Boyz Poster,hope you and Glen enjoy. Augie......See you Saturday!

Guys Seen a flyer sent out by mercury yesterday that said somthing to the effect that if you was to use the gm engine they wouldnt warranty the drive train.Might be worth checking out.

Merc. wont warranty any part if you race the boat so it doesnt matter.They are just despratly trying to save sales on there motors instead of doing the right thing and offer a lease package to match Vortecs program.I for one love my 500 EFI and have never had a problem with it.BUT I am tierd of paying these crazy prices for them and the parts.Come on Merc. you should help the race program a lot more.Now that you have compatition you may lose alot of customers if you dont step up.In the past you were the only game in town and could hold your ground and say thats just the way it is but not any more.
Randy:mad:

You know Randy we all love Merc. But if they play these ****'en games, another drive manufacturer will step up and they won't sell drives either. Times change and Merc needs to change with them. I would love to lease a Merc engine. They have a good product, good support and good people. I would like to support them, after all , the've been good to us. Hope they don't end up with stupid marketing. .02

Jim

Jim I agree,And dont tell me they cant afford to do it.In my humble opinion they cant afford not to do it.I take my hat off to Vortec for coming up with such a great plan to help the racers and get there product in the market place.Its smart buisness to take care of the racers to prove your product and THEN sell to the public.They even have a great contigincy program.Its so good i cant even spell it.
Randy:p

I agree with you all 100% and im sure not in you guys class.But I seen the flyer and thought id mention it.Never tried to get anything warr. on race boat but did plenty fighting for customers with their go fast boats over the years. Mel

until a company steps up with the drives, you will be stuck with Mercury. it is a shame that a company can hold a monopoly. and not let competition advance technology like it should be as in all other motor sports.

it's too bad volvo hasn't followed through more with their high performance engines and drives. they were off to a decent start.

o yeah...we MAY have to run a different lower to top it off!

I would like to know how many HP500 EFI engines have been sold compared to the number of engines purchesed by racers, I bet they could supply the engines for free and It wouldn't hurt them a bit, all this advertising has to be worth something.

Eddie

joey, lower unit? if so which are they talking about?

same X dem. but u may have to use the SM low on the XR...2" additional skeg!

Randy,
Why would you want to spend the time and money to change out your 500EFI? If do go with the new Vortec you are going to just have to add wieght to the boat any way.Looks like sigle engine boats will be 250lbs and twin engine boats 400lbs.Whats the advantage of getting alittle more HP and when adding wieght?I dont think you will find a more reliable motor then the 500EFI,and you dont really know whay your getting into with the vortec.
Sorry maybe I'm missing something here doesnt seem to make any sence to me.
I guess what you need to do is put another 250lbs. in your boat now and see what your speed lose is,when figure if you put the Vortec if you will be back there you start.
I've done alot of testing with the 525's and the speed gain is 3-4 MPH.Then when you put the 250's back into the boat most days I only ran about 1 mph fast.Sounds like alot about nothing to me....

Frank

Frank if I could gain .5 mph I would have to do it.Its that close in Factory 1 at the top. 1 mph after 60 mile race means you finish 1 full mile behind the other boat if all things are equal.They have to have this right on or it will kill factory racing.I love my 500 EFI but I wont be left behind!
Randy

Randy,
I dont think you really believe that...
The fast boats will do there thing in the smoth and the rough water boats will do there will in the rough.I dont thinkthat .5mph is long to help the smoth water boat catch you in the rough water....

I do.

Well if you believe that when I guess you need to buy some new equipment....
Its still not going to make any of the F1 boats run 86mph.
If I can do that with a 500efi,maybe there is something to be said about setup.I think there is alot better ways to spend alot less money and still find .5mph if you think thats what you are going to need to win...
GOOD LUCK

Frank you are right!Dont change a thing on your Fountain for next year.I cant wait to race you.
Randy:eek:

Randy,
Be patiencent I'm sure we will get it on soon enough.
Working on a new project,dont think you'll get achance to run against the Fountain.You really dont want any part of the bad boy anyway.

The new one wont be as fast but I'm looking foward to having some fun this year.Thought about what you said and might build a P4 boat.

Frank

Frank, I think I just found a new person to talk trash with for next year.
Your going down buddy!
Randy

<Grabbing popcorn>
 

Here we GO!!

..and the gauntlet has been thrown down!

:hothead: :cool:

Bring it on we'll be ready,and have something special for you!

Bring it on!!!!!!!
You mine as well,its going to happen sooner or later.Just hope your not a soar looser...
Frank

Ok- here's a question.... Since the new 525 is possibly legal with a weight penalty, do I still have to carry the 100 lbs penalty for the 500 EFI by the old rules? I have searched and have not found my answer, hoping someone will know...

I don't think anyone will know the new weight rules until they publish them. So far there are no changes on the APBA site.

Jim

randy, you're going to be a handful this year now that you're world champ.
with BJ out of the running i wonder who will step up and try and shut your pie hole? best of luck to all challengers. this should be entertaining. ;) :D

Addiction,
From what I've be told all you will have to carry is a total of 250 pound extra.F2 boat will have to carry 400 pound extra total wieght.
So really all you will be adding is 150 pounds more,and i'm not sure if the 525 will make that big of a differance with the 150 lbs more.I know it will hurt excelleration,wieght will change that no matter what engine you have.Its a trade off you might see 1 mph on top end but what is more important while racing.It will definaltly slow you up coming out of the turns.

Frank

there maybe more than just weight added to the 525 boats....we just have to see what they put down on paper!! i'm not even going to think about it till it's on paper...

Joey,

I agree ...we cannot make any decisions until the assesments are posted formally!! I hope you and Adrea' are having a wonderful holiday! When the APBA releases the info we 'll get busy! Take care and be safe.

Julie
Throttle Up Propellers
877-842-6855

When you feel the need for speed...Throttle Up!

When is APBA going to post all the new rules?Is there a projected date for this to be done?
Randy

usually its about 10 days before st. cloud the rules get carved in stone!