Hi everyone! I have been searching the net for people who understand marine performance and I think I found it! If I posted a performance mod question on other forums I'd just get responses like, "uh, why?"

I'm an old line wrench (Imports). Been out of the biz for about 15 years. I know you guys are working with big blocks and such. I just have a small family powerboat that has a stout 89 4.3L 90 degree V6 in it. Well I got tied of the stock junk straining back there so I replace the intake with a nice Edelbrock and went from a 2 bbl to a 4 bbl (1409) Carb. Wow does that motor sound better! Before it sounded as if it was straining.

Now I've got the urge to cam it or add some RRs or something. From reading some of the posts you guys seem very experienced. I have some 1.6 roller tips I was going to add when I aquired some hardened pushrods. Question, anyone know what length stock are? Is Intake and exhaustr the same?

OR Why wouldn't I just go to comp cams and get a whole cam/lifter/spring/pushrod kit? Is it worth it HP wise? If I went cam I'd like a gurgle idle and power where I use it... 2500 and up.

Of course there is always getting a supercharger for a 305 and reworking the plumbing...

Any advice is appriciated and thanks for letting me ramble on your board.

Bill

I'd pull the 4.3 and drop in a 383, by the time you hop up the 4.3 I bet you would have as much into it as what a stock 383 stroker would run you.

Cam swap will be okay for 20hp or so, but those heads are really restricting any further mods.

The hot ticket is a set of '96+ Vortec 4.3L heads that will bolt right on other than intake. Can be found in E-bay for $300-$400 per pair from low mileage wrecks or such. You'll need to go thru them and install correct springs and such.

A Comp hydraulic roller ( $$$$) + the heads (more $$$) + a Vortec 4bbl intake (more $$$ - the older style won't bolt on) with 9.25:1 to 9.5:1 will make upper 200hp - near 300hp all day.

BTW: The 4.3's share many, many things with the 5.7's. Helps keep costs down and also presents a whole host of good parts like pushrods and such.

Lastly, never rule out a 5.7 . They can be found really cheap sometimes.

I am with the "go all the way to 5.7" crowd.

Might as well have a full sized smallblock.

Why stop there, put in a BIG BLOCK and letr rip...