What would the speed of a 24 be w/ an HP500 and / or a 525efi?
Or just w/ 500 hp?

Low - Mid 80's I would assume.

I know a guy that did just what you are thinking...
He had his 454mag rebuild for 500HP (dyno'd 498@5600).
This 1995 24' Superboat runs 84-85mph gps...
The previous owner of my 1997 24' Super had about 540HP and she ran the same 85 or so.
My 1989 24' Pantera was re-powered by the new owner with a 640+HP blower motor and he told me it runs in the mid 80s.
It does not seem like these hulls can handle much more than 500HP and 85mph...

Hey Pat - Happy New Year!!

I think the hulls can handle the HP, just not all the torque with the 7' beam, makes them a handful. Running my 650HP motor required me to drop tab and steer the hell out of it. A light chop helped.

Hey Pat:

We going to get together this summer? It would be nice if we could get some Panteras on the Sound this coming summer. Need to plan a date.

Ron

Kirk, you are probably right.
That is why I have been asking if anyone has tried a 5 blade on a 24' yet. The 5 blade really helps the handling of a lot of boats I have heard...

Absolutely We Should get Together Ron!
I had a couple of correspondences with Vitamin C this fall but we didn't seem to hook up. I thought maybe at the CT River Run.
The fellows on the Fountain and Superboat forums set up a great gathering at Claudio's last summer and are planning another that may end at the Saybrook Point Inn...
I am vary jealous of those of you that are running your boats down south too.
Thinking Spring, but for now we are skiing.
Happy New Year to All!

Hey storm, My boat has a true 585 hp in the boat. The best I ever got out of it was 84 in Tampa Bay last year. I can consistantly run in the low 80's, but I agree with Pantera 28 I have to drop the port tab and drive the hell out of it..I will be doing some prop testing and playing around with some weight in the bow in a few weeks with Jo in Miami I will let you know how it goes..

Rebuiling the engine now...
Only leaving the block, heads, rods and crank, everything else will be new.
Aiming for 475-525hp. I'm guessing i'll see 76-77mph.
Anthony, what prop are you running?

I'm also running short Kplanes(not 280s), i think they are 110s.
You think they'll be fine? I know the boat is sensitive to trim, especially the 280s.
These have been great so far.

Storm, Build as much torque into the engine as possible You may want to look at the Merc HP450 specs, it was basically a HP500 carb built on a 454 block, very reliable. They did not make it for long because it was easier for them to make the 502 mag that made almost the same hp at the prop. Be careful, it is easy to end up with too much cam and too little compression and the engine will look good on the dyno with dyno headers and perform poorly in the boat.

Ironman, thanks for the info.
But I am not doing it myself... it is in very good hands.