1981 Scarab Info
 

Trying to get some input on this 81 30' Scarab, it was last registered in Ct. 1999.(boat name was LET ER RIP) It looks like the HID number is WEL-4020680-300-1981. I was told it had 454's with TRS drives? I have been looking for a project boat that I can basically rebuild with some updated equipment but still love those old lines. I added a couple pictures of the boat. The price is seriously cheap. The guy has lost his storage space. I know it needs work and has no power but glutton or not a challenge would be cool. I've already done one boat so not afraid of some dirty hard work.

Sorry no info but i like your project. What are some of your plans for it?? Please keep us updated on progress & problems.

Well it looks like stupidity rules again,if all goes well I should have it at my shop in the next few weeks. I'll try and put up some pics when I get it there.
Still looking for any info you guys might have on these boats, options they came with etc.
What are my options as far as drives go, don't mind using TRS if thats the most logical way to go.

I have a 77 Scarab 30 with SBC's, it handles great it rough water! Should TRS drives, and I believe the electronic trans which isn't good for higher power. The boat looks in great shape! If you want really nice drives that should bolt up and are going to make some power, stick a set of Konrads on there, should pick up the boat a few mph over TRS's as well.

Let the madness begin
 

The boat is definitely getting big block power, what would be the best choice for transmissions (transmission ratio)? and drive and drive ratio etc. The engines should be somewhat modest, between 450 and 500 horsepower each. I know this seems early but just looking for some ideas to start shopping around. Are the 420 horse mercs a good choice? And of course there is the rotation choice for the drives or should I just stick with right hand rotation?

I have a 81 Type S with 454 and TRS drives should be very simialar. PM for specifics.

Cliff

Were able to pick up the Scarab yet?

Cliff

420's are a great option, but a hp500 clone can be built cheaper and I think a solid choice. Anything other than Korads (BIG $$$) will require a new transom, so if you don't want to do that, run the TRS drives with the Borg Warner trannies. The merc stuff doesn't seem to last especially under some power. The TRS drives are still plentiful and parts are available, plus they handle 500hp even on bigger boats fairly well. Just my $.02

scarab
 

Long story short I called the guy to pick it up and he told me it was sold, didn't think much about it after that(this was about 2 months ago). Well thanks to OSO the gentlemen that bought it ended up with a better deal on another boat and contacted me about the scarab, as long as there are no glitches it will be at my shop next weekend(now I'm getting excited again)Time to start shopping again

I saw this boat and thought holy chit that's a project. I agree the lines are cool. Run borg warner tranny's with 454mags and TRS drives. Since it already is mostly stripped, I'd check the transom and probably pull transom assemblies. New wiring harness too :angry-smiley-038:
Good luck

Transom assemblies all ready gone,way to loose and not rebuild-able any ways, I'll be looking for a set of good used transom assemblies and transmissions and drives, engines not to concerned with as I already have one built just need to find a second and match it up.

Carmine,

Congratulations on your project. My Scarab is a `81 30` Type “S”, basically all stock as for a engine and drives. Engines are 454 – 330HP, (Round Port Heads – Casting #) with “Log” style exhaust manifolds. Drives are standard TRS models with Merctrans. From reading you post you said that you were definitely going back “Big Blocks” so if you are deciding on TRS drives then the only decision to make is what transmissions to go with. I would recommend going with the Borg Warner 72 models made for the TRS drives over the Merctrans. The Merctrans is a decent transmission and has the benefits of being (1) Much lighter then the Borg Warner, (2) Approx 9 inches shorter than the Borg Warner – A big benefit with how cramp the engine bay is for twin big block motors, (3) The bell housing is made on to the transmission – also a big drawback because there is no provision for a top mount starter like the readily available and inexpensive bell housings available for the Borg Warner, (4) oil cooler built into the transmission – also a drawback because the cooler is of limited size and oil capacity, the Borg Warner accepts an external oil coiler that can be different sizes or even mounted in the bell housing. Additional drawbacks include not being able to use rear “off shore” motor mounts because off the material required to be removed from the bell housing mounting face/flange to the back of the engine for proper starter depth into the bell housing for engagement to the flywheel. The Borg Warner unit built for the TRS out drive has 2 mounting bolts, (one on each side or the rear of the transmission) that bolt directly to the inner transom plate like the bravo drives, making alignment very easy when installing/lowering the engine/transmission in place. Another problem with the Merctrans in my opinion is that because the oil cooler is built into the transmission requires a small separate water line that comes off of the discharge side of the raw water pump, (many of the current rebuild pump housing kits no longer have this port) and runs to the inlet of the cooler and another small water line that is attached to the outlet of the cooler and runs to a port located on the elbow of the exhaust manifold for discharge into the exhaust on the old style log manifolds. Using headers or conventional center rise manifolds would require fabricating something for the discharge of the water from the outlet side of the cooler either into the exhaust or dumped overboard thru a “thru hull” fitting. I am currently in the process of gathering all the parts to change from the Merctrans to the Borg Warner set up with the Top Mount Dual Cooler Bell Housings. I my opinion it is better to buy a complete set up at one time then piecing each piece one or two at time. You should be able to find someone who is updating to Bravos and wanting to sell the complete setup, (Dual cooler bell housings w/coolers, Borg Warner transmissions, starters, inner transom plate, gimbals, outdrives w/nosecones, and hydraulic trim cylinders) from engine back, I recently purchased one from someone for $3,700.00 including 4 blade stainless props. One modification I would recommend that it done to the transom plate is to weld up the thru hub exhaust port. This way it stops any water from entering the inside of the transom plate and eventually rotting out and allowing water to leak in the bilge. I currently have this problem on my port drive. And will soon be removing everything to replace it. I hope this helps some and if you have any more questions just email.

Good Luck,
Cliff

Bravo Transom Assembly
 

The boat is at the shop and I'm finally home from a long business trip, now comes the million dollar question, do I continue on and go with the trs or swap to bravo's, see pics

Do you already have TRS's? Everyone keeps saying they are getting very hard to buy parts for but up to this point I haven't had any problems and you always see whole drives/parts drives being sold on the swap shop!

Looks like a fun project, that bilge looks like the condition that mine was in when I bought it, boy does that bring back memories! Would love to see other pics of the project!

Good luck!

Jim

Pics
 

Here are some more pics of the boat as it sits at my shop now, lots of work to do and parts to gather.

trs drives and gimbles
 

Greetings Gent,
Jim G here wishing you the best on your project, I had listed mine (30' scarab ) earlier this month in the swap section parts/project had no offers as a whole so I have begun to list parts, I have 2 nice clean redone trs drives, and 2 nice clean redone transom assys, that haven't been wet since 03, the drives are pictured on e bay right now (my seller name is 77 scarab) if you have any interest in these or any other scarab stuff let me know, my interior was like 2 years old when I began this project and is still nice (stored in house closets,) also have all the teak from inside and swim platform let me know Regards Jim 419433six nine eight three aft 6 pm.

Looks like a nice project!

My 85 21' scarab has bottom paint that looks identical to what you had... Whats with the angle thats on?

Also i see you removed the bottom paint from the sides and the lower of the transom. How did you go about doing it? Was it a major pain or not too bad? I dont mind putting some work into it. Just curious.

Good luck!

On we trudge
 

Well maybe a little luck, found a complete set of TRS from the transmissions back to and including the drives,trim pumps,rams,controls. so that cures one problem, next thing is:
Does anyone have any pics of the rear seat set up, I have the wrap around section and the bottom but I believe there is a storage area that belongs under the bottom part of the seat.

Mine was all rotted so I had to build a new one. I mounted my amps and my batteries under my back seat along with making a custom sub box in the middle section and spots for 6.5" speakers!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...b/6aea48b1.jpg

Rear Seat
 

Very nice, looks exactly like the one I had to build for my spyder. wish I had kept all of the templates I made.

Dash and Wiring
 

Well before I cover it for the winter, was able to get the dash and wiring out, not as bad as I thought it would be. Is there any where to get a schematic and something to help me out with all these switches that have no labels?

What do you plan to do with the dash & gauges? Any upgrades?

Look me up if you want to do something cool like a graphics wrap or something. This is the one I am doing for my scarab!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...b/new-dash.jpg

Dash panel
 

Plan is for new gauges(need to decide on a color,more than likely white Livorsi's) angle pods on the bottom part of the panel, have to decide on lit toggles like my spyder had or go with rocker switches. The boat is staying white for now but I would be interested in a wrap for the panel. The trim will be in the new throttles and I was more than likely going to switch over to K-Planes from the Bennett tabs that are there. Definately like the bottom part of the panel but maybe in a titanium color.