I'm trying to decide what to do with the motor for this boat. I decided I am going to sell my Outlaw as a complete running boat. That leaves me with an HP500 that dropped a valve to rebuild. I am currently leaning toward doing a 509 with an 8-71 blower on it and shooting at 750-800hp. Who else has put a blower on one of these? What type of clearance do I need to create on the back of the rear seat and at the top of the engine hatch? Any pictures would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks

Irony that you ask this question. Just last night I was looking at my hatch also the see if this is possible. Looks like the seat / headrest will need to be reconfigured for a roots style blower. If one were to use a centrifugal type this would not be in issue.

8-71 is fairly tall..plus add carb and filter on top of that. You would pry have to go to a scoop on your hatch. I would build up a strong NA 540 and call it good.

Ohh come on now, sounds like the glass is half empty approach. Has anyone done a roots style blower on one of these before? I'm shooting for a solid 750hp. That should put me in the mid to upper 80's based on what i've seen searching.

not half empty...but with the way the hatch support is built you may have issues with blower pulley clearance in the front. I have only seen 1 with a procharger on it and that is a side entry 502 intake and one guy on here has a whipple if I remember correctly. The whipple is lower profile and the pulley doesn't stick out as far. I saw a 25 Tantrum with a roots blower..it was a B&M 250 and they had to reconstruct the hatch for it to clear.

750 hp might get you 85 tops. theres a guy on here with 815hp and 800 tq and hes running 87-88 i think in a 99 Savage.

I think OCDs 99 savage ran 87 with a pro charged hp500. I think it was about 700 hp.

Well I was definitly under the engine hatch tonight with it completely closed taking measurements. I need to talk to blower shop and see what kind of heights we are talking here. I see what your saying about the center support. It takes about 2 1/2" away from available height on the inside. Bilge is pretty roomy when your in there with it closed LOL

A procharger M4 will make it run real nice

I had a 8-71 on my tantrum. I'm not sure if its the same size as your savage. I had to cut a little bit of the top of the fire wall where the hatch sits. I also put a small access hole behind the rear seat where the upper pulley is. Then I made a Custom hatch scoop and had the cushion redone. It's a little bit of work but well worth it. If you need a 8-71 I have one available. Intake to air cleaner,with a chiller.I also have a tantrum for sale if you want one of those also. I will try to post some pics. I'm a little slow with technology.

I have 8-71's and intakes at the shop, could drop a mock up motor in with the blower to check.
But for your style of boating I highly reccommend building a n/a 540 out of your hp500. Remember that xr drive is not bulletproof. Stop by or call before you buy anything. Can save you some $$$ before you go crazy.