Good day all, I've been here before some years back, but I can't remember my old login info, but that doesn't really matter. I'm back because this was the best site to get tips, tricks and links to gear, equipment and contacts. This and Scream&Fly are some of the greatest communities of people with useful information one could ask for. Have I stroked you all's ego enough? Ok enough buttering you all up. I recently acquired a 1995 Baja 272 Shooter, and she needs love and is near enough a clean slate. So here I am. Let's start with the main ingredient... The engine. I know the usual choices are like 7.4, 454 and 8.0 around 500hp range but I'm looking for something a little more spicy liiiiiiiiiike 800hp, OK, OK a lot more spicy. Can you guys chime in and help me out here, firstly how much can the Bravo I drive safely handle without going BOOM? Next is where can I get one and not have to take out a mortgage to purchase it. I'm thinking of one of those supercharged EFI race motors, used of course but refreshed. I got some other questions like raising drive height for better performance but let's just start with this. Thank you all in advance and I look forward to your input. This should be good, maybe a few laughs also.

Bravo: about 500 hp. More if you add a DriveGuardian, strengthened parts, etc.

Where to find an engine: Look in the Classifieds and Swap Shop (or whatever it is called) here on OSO.

I'd recommend a big cubic inch NA motor. I have two 588s in a 340 Powerquest and love them. They're carbed and have 300 hours on them so far. They sound great, are 10:1 compression and they haul the mail. On a single engine application with the HP you're acquiring I'd run the SCX upper/SC lower for all around reliability and performance. I ran a single engine 800HP boat with that setup and the drive did very well. It's not cheap to go fast so pay a little more in the beginning for reliability and you won't have down time and an even larger bill in the long run.

800 is pretty steep for a single engine system. What does the 27ft Baja weigh? A single drive pushing more than 4000-5000lbs creates more load.

Check out the Mercury Racing 800SC. It's a 572cid BBC. 4.5 bore x 4.5 stroke. 420 Megablower. 240° cam.

Going NA to 800hp is very possible, but hard on valvetrain even with a large CID base and modern head designs.

A 540 with an 8/71 would be a good place to start. Carbed keeps things simple. Depends on your budget.

#5 or #6 drive would make iife easier on you. No free lunch to operate at that power.

Can the Baja safely handle the expected MPH?

As an example, Baja 232 hulls can't go any faster than 70mph without issues.

Are you doing your own wrenching? Paying a shop to do all this would be hazardous to your CC.

JonD,

Not sure what your budget is, but this....

Yes I have a NEW 496 8100 HP3 MOD 3 from Inv Marine - Page 4 - Offshoreonly.com

... and a matching Whipple kit and you're there. Yes, this puts you at $25K or more, but, as has been said, the price of admission for 800HP ain't cheap. Aaaaand you still need a drive that will handle it.

Thanks. Brad.

Thanks, and I think I'm going to take that advice about the drive and get your recommended setup.

Thanks.

Thanks for your feedback,
going to have to find out about the weight but she seems to be pretty light for a stock empty 27ft Baja.
About the being able to handle the extra power and speed, I'm pretty confident that the 27' can. I mean 27' is a fair amount of boat for a single engine operation.
I'm interested in something like that 800SC or SCI if I can get one at the right price. I may have to pick your brain about some of that other engine jargen you spit out as I'm not so fluent on these big motas.
Drives; #6 you mentioned, OUCH, no free lunch as you casualy put it. Take my left arm and while your at it go ahead and help yourself to my right arm, testies, blood and anything else you might want price. That previous mentioned drive setup may be more reasonable. I don't recall the #5 drive, I'll look into it.
Thanks again.

Thank you and OUCH Brad.

JonD,

A quick Google search shows the boat weighed 4350-4400lbs dry when new.

Thanks. Brad.