My wippled 454 mag seems to be getting worse with starting and low speed/docking manners. Needs throttle to start and idle most of the time now, and it really puffs some black soot when it fires up, fuel consumption seems to be excessive and docking can be a nightmare as it cough's and dies when you least need it. It has always been sketchy on quick on off throttle adjustments when loading or docking but it seems to have spread to other idling and basic running operations. I need to get my fuel pressure gauge working to see what it has for pressure, but other then that I change plugs once or twice a year and only run good 91 octane. Also at WFO there is a spot where it hesitates at the last 10% of throttle then tends to clean out and run hard, water temps at idle are 110 or so and 120-125 after a long run. I have tried to contact Dustin Whipple 4-5 times now with no response. I really do not want to toss a bunch of money at this boat as I am looking at 25' Active Thunders and would just like to use this boat for another year. I have spoke with Eddie Young (awesome guy) but like I said I just do not want to spend the money to drag it down to him to tune. Any suggestions?

check vacuum line to fuel pressure regulator,may have fallen off or is cracked.then i would check fuel pressure.

I agree withthe other post start looking for vaccuum leaks my Baja had a whippled/502 and the last season i owned it i had the same problems. Guy i sold it to was a bit of a mechanic and he said he removed the whipple and just started checking vaccuum lines, he found four leaks. After he said it would idle down to 600rpm without stalling.

I looked at the regulator, everything looks ok. I will look to see if there is any leaks on other lines in the boat. I just ordered a sending unit for my SX regulator, I have a Gaffrig 0-60 gauge in the boat but previous owner never install the regulator, I also ordered a vacuum/boost gauge, I do not know how much boost this setup is making and would like to know.

If it does have leaks, would it effect the amount of boost the whipple will make?

I finally got in touch with Dustin Whipple, he told me to check a metal cone shaped filter on the throttle, it runs the idle air valve and is only there for noise suppression, he stated that they commonly get dirty and will choke out air at idle resulting in hard starting and stalling at the dock. Well, mine was pretty dirty, removed it, cleaned it with brake clean and compressed air and re-installed it. BAM, boat runs better then it ever has, idles perfectly, and no more black soot when getting on plane or starting.

Thanks for the help Dustin.