Hey Guys:

I have a 2000 Fastech 271 with a 502 Mag MPI and Bravo 1 drive. Love the boat but want more speed. Looking to get in the 75+ MPH range. I am very familiar with getting serious power out of cars but not boats and am hoping someone in this forum has done this and has suggestions.

Of course I want speed and reliability, which I know is asking a lot. Would prefer to stay naturally aspirated but am not sure if that is possible to get that speed. Also would love to stay with the current engine if possible, but again, not sure if that is possible.

Would love to hear what others have done, what top speed you get, and if you don't mind a rough estimate of what it cost. I don't know if I have to spend $5K or $20K....or should I just get a faster boat.

I originally considered a Fountain but really love the Formula and the way it handles and looks. And although it is a 2000, the boat looks new so I'd really like to keep it and it would be a heck of a lot cheaper than upgrading to a newer, larger, twin-engine boat.

And one more thing - anyone know of a good high performance marine center in South Jersey.

Appreciate any feedback

What is it running now for speed? IMO the most cost effective way to upgrade is to pull what you have and replace with a blue engine. You can sell yours complete for a decent buck if it is clean and right, and the blue engine will be the only thing that raises the value of the boat come resale time. Modifying what you have may make the boat harder to sell, and few see more money with aftermarket builds....in fact most lose money. A 525efi would looks gorgeous in your boat, and effectively it is a 540hp engine.

There are some older side mount whipples that will bolt on and come off when it's time to sell, a single engine boat usually sees 10 mph on 4 lbs of boost.

Hydraulic steering? Factor that in your upgrade if you do not have it. Breaking a gimble pin or cable at 75 mph will surely kill you.

You may get away with stock bravo gears if you are nice to it, but I would consider upgrading your internals to at least an xz set up with big prop shaft and stronger internals.

A single twin stepped 29 fountain with 525 will run upper 70s, and trust me you won't miss the handling of what you have. That single fountain held all records in the svl class for quite some time. It's an amazing boat. They are out there, and would have steering, and xr, good k planes, and the proper gauges. Just a thought

get outta here with the fountain talk. Fountains are good for one thing and one thing only, going fast. Sounds like you have the same boat I have and what you have now will run you an honest 64 on GPS. The quickest way to get to the speeds you want is a little boost.

I have the HP500, has been rebuilt to 509 and is about 525hp. Rebuild was pretty much stock rebuild. I can get 65 all day long no matter what load. I have a drive shower which scrubbed a little speed, and carry a bunch "stuff" in the cuddy. Prior to the drive shower and all the clutter, I could get about 68 - 70 and it would start to chine walk.

Recommend steering first, then horsepower. My steering sucks compared to what I want. If I did not have to have the engine rebuilt again this summer ( lifter decided to disintegrate), HYD steering was next.

Keep it turn key for a while longer!!

That is the wise thing to do for sure, but.....

BTW - I saw chine walk listed in a few other forums and honestly have no idea what that is....

Chine walk is when a v-bottom becomes unstable at speed and begins to rock side to side, or, bounce from one chine of the hull to the other chine. Cable steering has play in it that will reduce your control in these situations.

Suggest you contact Tony at CMS Racing Engines in Maryland. (410) 335 -2226...He built us a 75MPH carb, turn key motor for our 26 Scarab this past winter. We Installed Hydro steering and big tabs....Best money I've spent on the boat since owning it....well besides the new interior, stereo, paint, gauges, controls, etc, etc, etc.....lol

Good Luck and enjoy the speed !!!

I built a 500 EFI with 9.6:1 JEs, 315 AFRs, Bob Madara cam, EMI exhaust. Ran mid 70s with 1.5 XR 26 Bravo 1 on 89 octane. Add on hydraulic steering stopped dancing. That was in 2008, boat's on lake Huron last 4 years still runs strong.

BTW, dynoed 572 HP @ 5400, 606 Tq, @ 4500

Listen to Rattlesnake Jake.......he's already done what you want in a 271. He started with a 500EFI but your not working with much less if you change everything he did. As stated, steering is a must as well.

Chine walk: Stand with your legs out to each side about 3 foot apart. Now hop, back and forth, from one foot to another. That is what your hull is doing when it "chine walks". If it doesn't make your azz grab a hole in your seat it's because your azz has already been thrown out of the boat!