I have a friend that knows alot about outboards, but not large boats. I know a little about large boats, but nothing about outboards. We have a bet we are going to let OSO settle.

The boat is mine -- 30 foot Spectre, 4400#, 1.87:1 gears, and 14.5x30 3-blade cleavers running on pump gas.

Which would be faster on the top end, a pair of:
2.5efi 260s

or

300 Drag motors?

I'll tell you my opinion after I get enough results to say I won.

The 260's will only get that spectre to 105mph the 300 drags with the right props will get you somewhere in the 110-111.

The drag motors easy. But I bet you will not get many rides with those motors. 280 os or 300x would be the power of choice
Just my opinion

i say drag motors would be faster, bet i would also take a set of 300x's.... easy to maintain and shift....

the drag motor's ...love my x's

Stock vs. Stock, the drag motors have more HP so they will be faster! It's not rocket sience...or is it

Drag motors easy. If the race was more than 50 hrs , the 260's would win

Real cut to the chase question: can the 300 Drag make top end power on pump gas?

Probably not for long.

You can change the heads to run 93 octane. The real advantage the drag motor has is the SVS intake and spinning the motor 9500 to even 10k + in drag applications. The 280 ROS is by far a better motor for your boat if you want to stay with the 2.5 block. The 300x would be number 1 choice if you put a lot of hours on the boat.