Heres my dilemma. I have a choice between 3 motors for my 1987 230 scorpion ltd with fiberglass swim platform, bennet tabs and thru hulls. It originally came with a omc 260 and a cobra outdrive. My goal is to get as close to 60 mph as I can and still have some fuel economy.

Motor 1- Vortec 350/340-350hp. ported vortecs decked block to obtain .040 squish, lt4 hot cam, Heads set up to match cam, air gap intake, holley carb, Glm exh man. w/ thru hulls.

Motor 2- I have a fresh 454 330 hp (has peanut port heads)which I can put in with stock merc exh man., air gap intake, holley carb, and thru hulls

Motor 3- fresh 454 estimated 400-420 hp ported peanut port heads, cammed (not sure of specs at this moment) stock merc exh man., air gap intake, holley carb, and thru hulls

My concern with going with a bbc is weight and fuel. I know the bbc is going to add a couple hundred to the back end is the power to weight ratio going to overcome or will I be worse off ( especially with the fiberglass swim platform, I don't want it drag in the water like anchor). I have read of guys with these boats with merc 330 bbc and running 60 in stock trim. Is that truth or fiction.

the kid in me is leaning toward one of the 454's but the realist is wondering about the weight, fuel and getting up onto plane quickly. We use the boat quite a bit at least 2-3 times a week.

I have an 87 ltd originally had a 260 with cobra drive. I then went with a 406 sbc 10.5 to 1 ported sportsman heads. comp hyd roller keith Black hypereutectic. pistons, victor junior manifold 850 demon mech secondaries, stainless marine exhaust with semi dry pipes. with a 23 4-blade I was hitting upper 60's this time i built a 406 with 177 blower at 6 psi should be solid into the 70's just got seats recoverd haven't put it in water yet. will advise. issues you will have; exhuast holes in transom will not line up with a bbc. they offered the boat with bbc and bbfords most had the King Cobra drive which has a little bit larger internals also none of your brakets will line up. I believ the motor mounts may need to be changed(not sure on that) with merc manifolds on bbc weight difference will be more than 200 lbs also standard merc manifolds suck for performance plus with any serious cam, reversion may be a problem just my think about stroking that 350 to 383 just my 2cents

You should not have a problem installing a 454 BBC. Take a look at this one: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/da...534642390.html