358 sonic
 

I have a 2002 358 sonic with 496 in it, It does about 68 on gps, as usual I want to get a little more speed out of it. What do you recomend?? I have done nothing at all to it> Does labbing the props help? What pitch is recomended? I think it has 24 on it now. I really dont want to hurt the reliablity of it

Re: 358 sonic
 

I have a 97 35 with 502's. boat ran 68 with 24p bravos. i switched to 25p hydromotives, and it ran 69 to 70, and the cruise speed also gained 1 - 2 mph at the same rpm. The bravo's made the boat plane better, but the hydros gave better performance.

Re: 358 sonic
 

I'm going to be testing a set of 24p hydros as soon as summer hits. i think they may give me better numbers.

Re: 358 sonic
 

I think you may try CMI headers for 496 HO'S :rolleyes:

Re: 358 sonic
 

I'm hoping that a sonic owner with 496 engines puts those cmi headers specifically made for the 496 engines and gives us some real results!!

Re: 358 sonic
 

Me too, I am very curious, i just talked to lenny from sonic might be trading in for a 2006 38 so might not have to worry about this problem

Re: 358 sonic
 

madprops,
why are u going from your 358 to the 38? Just asking because I love the 358 and am researching buying one (not for 6-12 months). In my research it seems everyone either goes with a 38 or 42. Is the 35 an "odd" size (as in middle of the road size) for true offshore performance? Or is it simply the old bigger is better?

Re: 358 sonic
 

Sleek1,
I went from a 2001 358 with 500 efi's to a 2005 386sts with custom power. The reason was my wife wanted more space in the cockpit for entertaining,and I wanted more space in the engine room. Yes alot of people go up to the 42' but I couldn't fit it on my lift. that was the deciding factor with us.

Re: 358 sonic
 

Yes njsonic...same story almost...your lift , my garage...can just get the 386 in there...I also didn't want the side by side seating on the 42.

Re: 358 sonic
 

Is there decent room to work in the 358 engine compartment or is it miserable to try to do anything?