80+ MPH in the Vyper
 

I took out my new 2002 Vyp today and with 23 hours on the new 496 HO's I got 80.5 mph (GPS speedo) with 3/4 full tank (approx. 135 gallons at 4900 RPM. The temp was 70 degrees, the seas had 1 ft chop, and there was a 10-15 mph southerly wind. I am still planning on Merc labbing the props (28P Bravo's) and have yet to install my K&N airfilters (if they will do anything at all...) to see if I can reach 83+ on standard engines.

My goal was to get to at least a "real" 80 mph (real amount of gas, supplies, and "not perfect conditions"). I feel cofortable that I got it and will keep looking for more!

Does anyone have similar experiences and what have you done to "up the ante" to get more speed from your set-up?

:D

I'd say that's pretty damn good for the setup. Just wait for the whipples :D

I plan on pulling mine out of storage this week and getting it ready. Have a couple of buyer lined up though. We want to move up to a 38 Avenger.

I would definetly like to see what the Whipples at 3-5 psi would add!

What set-up is in yours and what speeds do you get? Does your model year have the stepped hull?

Dave

That is real impressive :D. With that type of speed, the extra $$ for the 500's makes little sense for the extra 4-5 mph. As 96Vyper said, wait for the whipples ;)

I would like to know if PQ has tested the 380 with a pair of those 496's. I bet the 380 would see an honest 74-75.

Those numbers are great with those stock motors! I would think that the whipples would give you an honest 90-92 mph! That's smokin in a production boat ! By the way, that is one REAL nice looking boat! I love the colors and graffics. When I'm ready to get rid of my little 260, I'll have to look hard at a 340!

Guys, any guess's on what the new PQ 300 Revenge with twin 496's HO's will do?

Man with 80 in the 340, I wouldn't doubt the 300 is mid 80's and to think that they will put 500's in the 300 :cool:

Dave - not surprising! I consistently see 77-79 GPS with 1/2 tank 3 people in 75 degree @ 4800=4850. I have a new pair of labbed 28's to try. Just can't seem to get these engines over 5000.

How trimmed were you? Let me know about the K&N's I'll save my money until I hear.

ps. Was @ PQ last week, nice 38 w/500's, XR'sw/ITS and the biggest tabs I've seen (Arneson Rockers?) ps. Thanks Mandy.

Kentz -the boat was tabs 1 and engines at 3.5-4 to get the 80+. I didn't go any farther but honestly think if I would have left it there for a another minute or two I would have seen 81-82. That remains to be tested and I will let you know how it goes.

As far as the K&N's - BillR put them on his and he could answer up to what he found. Honestly, they won't hurt and my gut tells me they won't help, but more to follow. PS - I was waiting to install the K&N's so that I could find out what my true, non-modified engines could do. In the next weekend or two I will be making the modification. Oh yeah, for only a $100 it was a nice insurance policy to have the engines breath clean filtered air.

I also keep evoeryone updated on the Merc labbed props scenario.

I seem to remember anything above "4" on the drives and the props would cavitate a little and scrub off speed.
Mine tested @ 80.7 when it was first splashed in Holland last year. One person and 40 deg. I don't plan on trying to duplicate it. I assume you reading right off of the GPS speedo? mine are off my hand-held garmin.

If its true that salt h20 is good for 2-3 mph, you're there!

I understand the limiters are @ 5050 on these. Sounds like you'll be the first to find out:D :eek:

Whipples are still not out. I wouldn't hold my breath for 'em this summer either. Hmmmmmmm......the prochargers are and have been available for a year.

Prochargers are an option. I saw them at the Miami boat show and they looked impressive and do-able. In fact they had a 496 HO set-up to look at! I am going to at least wait until the Merc warrantty is expired until I go down that road.

My findings indicate that the rev limiter on the new 496's is at 5250 and my plan is to tweak it to the 5200 mark. I feel confident that I will see the 83-85 mark once we are labbed and getting 5200 rpm. Now if I throw out the cushions, all uncessary equipment, take out the microwave, A/C, and vacuflush I could see 100+ in 12 footers... Cool!:D

The next boat will have the new Merc 525 with 500 hp and fresh water cooling. Saw that one in Miami too, and that looks like a sweat set-up!

Cool,
One of the FASTEST boats in the HRPA is PowerQuest!!!!

Lets see now, PQ's have been called:
RV's
Family boats
Quest fer power
Unstable
Cheap
and I forget the rest.

But what ever they are, they're probabaly faster than the rest. (the ones runnin their mouths!!)

Nice run Dave. Now I guess it's my turn to take a run at 80!!

Vyper..

I don't have whipples on mine (trying to sell). I also have the old V hull. With 502's I can run 73-74mph. Just stock engines etc. Raypanic had 502's with whipples installed on his 38. His engines came off the dyno at @750hp (don't quote me). Putting that type of HP on a 34 Vyper (V or Step Hull) would make some impressive speed gains.

How is your handling at top speed? They dropped the weight from 8200 #'s on the V hull to 7500 #'s with step. I know the 34 with 500EFI's was tested in PB Mag at 85 or 86mph.

If you do something with procharger or whipple rest assured you will need a drive upgrade too. Even with XR or XZ's if you push that kind of HP you will soon break them. P.S. My whipple setup was 690Hp and 750 Ft Lbs of Tq.

Is the new Merc 525 based on the new 8.1 Block?, if not, is it a matter of time before all the HP lines are?

Oh yeah,
I forgot to mention that SOMEONE said PQ's need a 5 point racing harness too. :D

I guess Dave will see em all at the finish line. :eek: :D :D

Guys, best part about it this year (for you guys anyway) is NOW you can give those "other" guys a head start ;) and still kick their butts LOL.

Good luck with the new PQ's and for some, new motors :D. Have a safe year on the water.



Jeff

Kentz:
The new 525 is based on the 502 (8.2) block but has closed loop cooling. I believe it is standard to get the ITS and XR's with it.

96Vyp:
I visited the factory a number of times and I have to say that with the stepped hull they have added a LOT of extra glass and encapsulated wood to shore up the steps and transom that they told me did not exist on the straight hull. The original number of 7500 lbs was based on the original stepped hull and does not factor in the improvements (added glass) that have been incorpororated in the top and bottom hulls. I have to think that the new stepped hull is every bit as heavy as the older straight vee's at this point.

I guess the only way to truly find out is to have it weighed. Sadly, I do not have a trailer nor do I wish to. So, I guess I'll just have to guess that with all the options (A/C, Vacuflush "bidee", freshwater system, fridge, micro, etc.) that I am an easy 8500 lbs without fluids.

Raypanic:
You are 110% correct. I would definetly need to upgrade sterdrives when superchargers get added.

What did you use with the Whipple's?

Dave

Forgot to answer the handling question:

At 80+ she handled fine. When I started removing tab while trimmed at 3.5-4.0, I started to get a chine walk but, putting the tab back put it right into place. The benefit of the HP500's is that you can keep the tabs down and still get 86+ in the rough water. I won't be that lucky without adding more raw HP. I think that PQ could add two small strakes on the bottom V pad after the last step. That would eliminate any chine walking and keep it rock solid at top speed.

I would like to hear from someone who has HP500's and the stepped hull.... anyone out there?

500 hp efi
 

vyper 340 i have 380 with 500 hp efi and it does 82 on the gpsdash mount. I did have 502s when i got the boat in 99. The next year i put pro-chargers on it and it when 87 mph on the radar gun. but it chime walk all over the place. Felt unsafe above 85mph. had the bottom fix at the factory and the cut 3 feet of the outer strakes off. it settle the boat down a bit and give it a better ride when crusing at 70 mph . Pq need to make a true v bottom and get rid the pad. As long as they keep the pad you are always going to have chime walk above 80mph. the pad was intended for using stock hp and get the bottom on top of the water with less hp. Look at cig boat bottom they have true v no pad. Yes it takes more hp to push the boat thru the water but you will not get the chime walk. Pq boats you still get the best bang for your bucks, Cig boats you are just paying for the name. Blondes preffered.

Wildman - without a doubt, you have one of the best looking 38's to ever leave the factory!:D

just be careful dragging it around with that 1/2T truck:eek:

Wildman: post a pic of your ride

Wildman,

Is this what you are calling a Padded Hull? I am not sure what to call it but I thought a pad hull was flat on the bottom. I could be wrong but I just want to get my terminolgy correct.

1/2 truck
 

Kentz: I had all you guys fooled. The 98 was a 3/4 ton with 454 big block. I had the Z71 stickers put on it when i bought it. I took the 4x4 stickers off the days it left the dealer. They all laughed at me when we were pulling out of Jamestown. That 98 would pull that 38 down the road at 75-80mph and out pulled all the fordsthat came up along side of it. I now have an new 02 with 496 ,373gears and allison trans. It is one stump pulling truck.All fords and dodges get out of the way this summer.:) :) :) Wildman 1 aka Blondes Preffered.

Padded Bottom
 

raypanic: Yes that is padded bottom. We are going to figure out how to post a picture of the Blondes Preffered boat. It is one attention getter. redheads hate it. blondes love it.:) :) :)

Yup. That's a modified pad. If it were a 24 degree V it would walk less and cut the wave better when doing high speed runs and wave jumping.

Hey Ray,

Yank that pitot out!!!:D :D

Z71 Stickers???????:D No wonder!:D

Wildman - do you have any involvement with AMT? That was one sweet cat!

Thanks