Re: The "Too Old's Sonic" Project !!
 

Wow, I gotta hand it to you, you have the patience of a saint. You sure have gone through a lot with that boat! Haven't seen you on the board in quite a while, best of luck with the motors the second time around! Steve

Re: The "Too Old's Sonic" Project !!
 

Yes, I have not been on the board lately. I retired from AT&T and really got busy. I am heavily involved in the community. I am on the board of "SAVE OUR WATER-Lake Eufaula" trying to get the Corps of Engineers & Soutwest Power Administration to stop wasting our lake water & draining it every summer below safe boating levels. We are working on State as well as Federal legislation to do this. We have over 7000 members so far. I am also President of our local Volunteer fire dept. I/we are in the middle of a complete rebuilding of our existing bldg as well as adding a:drink: 40x60 addition to the bldg. We also provide a Federal Seniors lunch program twice a month and we are currently serving three meals a day to the emergency workers, County workers, Contractors and other community members without essential services. We have had no power or water for 6 days. Oklahoma ice storm!! Over 300 meals a day!

Re: The "Too Old's Sonic" Project !!
 

I also boat, fish & work on my SONIC... (in between keeping the wife happy!).
I am thinking of naming the Sonic "WILDFIRE".... what do ya' think???

Just got my engines back from the dyno.... Why do you ask since the engines were new...??? Too many problems last summer... pulled one to dyno it & found several things... mainly the valve guides (3) had fallen out of the heads!! Ckecked engine #2 & found the same thing. Pulled the heads and found many problems there, so replaced the heads with BRODIX aluminum heads. WOW!!!

Here are the results-

#1- 588hp 514# torque @6000,
555hp 540# torque @5400

#2-579hp 507# torque @ 6000
552hp 532# torque @5400
Changed carbs & intakes also to 4150-850's from the Dominators...... I think I am happy now with the power from 468CI..... Now to get it all back together again for summer.
Wish me luck!!:drink: :drink: :drink:

nice tread, don't give up the best is still to come!

Nice #'s there. I hope you have better luck this year.

Thanks!! Since I hit 75 (GPS) last summer with all the problems.. (dyno'd then @485hp) & now there is 580hp on tap???? I can't wait!!

I forgot!!
 

My new seats came in last week.... McLeod bolsters. Really cool. Something else to install!!:drink:

Well, finally hit the water & started teswting. I ended up with a set of 23 pitch 3 blades as the 26" would not spin up. I know it sounds like a small pitch for my hp BUT... my 1st run netted 76 mph and the second 80 mph # 5100rpm. The engines will spin to over 6000 rpm so I have some tweeking to do with props. It appears my final drive ratio is closer to 1.36 instead of 1.50 as was planned..... who know what in the uppers & lowers for gears!! Anyway, the Mcleod look & feel great and I am happy at the boats performance so far. No steps, an '88 hull and 80mph smooth as silk!! What could be better????:drink:

Glad things are coming together nicely at long last, you certainly deserve it! Oh yeah, hurry up and dial it in as I am still waiting for completion of your next project......your book on boat electrical rerigging! :D

No kidding!

Man, he is good. I actually copied the pictures so if I ever have to do this I have a benchmark on how to do it correctly.

Simply an amazing project.

:cool: (cool) & slightly embarrassed!! Thanks for the kudo's my friends. I don't know that I deserve them. It has been rewarding & at the same time extremely frustrating!! Now the payoff starts. Last weekend in rough water & wind, my wife said it rides better than my 312 Formula!! Now that is a benchmark to be recognized I think..... I know just because of the engines the Sonic is more fun to drive!!:D It is also rewarding when people come up to me on the beach to talk about it...... the looks from them are great!! One thing is for sure.... there is not another one even similar anywhere. It would be impossible for anyone to steal & sell like many other pricey boats. Too recognizable.
Thanks again guys, I appreciate it. It has been a learning experience all around...... :drink:
& here is a picture of the McLeod bolsters in the Sonic.... NICE!! &&& comfy!

AWESOME PROJECT!!!! You did a great job on the whole thing!:Score-101010:

Thanks alot , MSTG72... I enjoy the boat more everytime we take her out...... now those critics (local to here) are eating their words about never getting it done. It is the most distinctive boat on the lake now..... no matter their price.
Thanks again, it's appreciated!!:party-smiley-020:

Excellent job! You may want to start your second career.:D I have to ask (not being synical or trying to start anything) why did you decide to buy a 31 Sonic when you already have a 31 Formula? Just curious, I really like both brands. I've been looking FOREVER and have vascilated between Sonic, Formula, and A.T. If I ever sell my old house I plan on buying a one of these brands in the 30-35 range. I love the Sonic toughness/ride (from what I hear) and cabin layout but I've been on a few Formulas and really love the interior and "solid" feel.

Thanks for the kind words..... The answer to your question are many & varied. My wife says I did it because I never "bonded with the 312 Formula like I did my Formula 252. What she means is I never "modified" it myself. I put a Procharged full roller 454 in the 252 & ran 75 mph (GPS) with it. Great boat, but she liked the ride of a bigger boat... so I bought my 312 in Arizona with Prochargers already on it (by Arizonz Speed & Marine). Therefore I never "bonded" with it. I do love the boat, the ride, the features, etc. But she was right.... It wasn't MINE!! Someone else did it...... so enter Fred's "Too Old Sonic" for sale.... a supposedly "finish it up" project. She liked the looks so I bought it. Unfortunately , it's condition was NOT as advertised. Everthing was trash on it, corroded beyond belief. Two different engines ( a forged 420hp-MK IV & a cast 300hp 454 Gen V!! So I had no choice but to strip it. It has only taken 5 years, but we really like the results. The ride really is great- some better than the Formula. And I incorporated some features of the Formula into the Sonic. McLeod seats. The Sonic does suffer greatly incomparison to the Formula 312 in the cockpit space, but the cuddy is much, much bigger. The walk around hull is nice also. Both have pluses, but the Sonic is every nut, bolt, screw, wire, gauge, etc. MINE!! It is now reliable, distinctive & will never be confused with another boat of any make..... I sort of think that is what all "avid" performance boater strive for.... not necessarily the fastest on the lake, just the best all around fit for each of us..... when someone sees or hears this boat on the lake... they say "there go's George & Pam!!! .... What more can we ask??? I am pleased.....
& the '97 Formula is for sale - 225 hours & $49K with trailer. Below loan value!! :party-smiley-020:

Thanks for the reply and happy boating to ya.

I've got a question for you since you ripped your whole boat apart. Where is the fresh water tank and how hard is it to get to? I think we have a leak in our tank and I'm trying to get an idea what we're looking at to get it fixed.

Interseting what you find when searching for something else.

You did a helluva job on that boat. In light of recent happenings I'm sure you didn't expect it to be as large a job as it turned out to be when you bought it.

I just found out about the bad deal with Fred, Trick Marine (Too Old),,, so I changed the name of the thread to The blown formula sonic project now... too much bad press on Fred. I do not wish to be associated in any way with him, even as a victim.
George

NOT BAD, NOT BAD !! But get RID OF THOSE MICKEY MOUSE FLUSH VALVES.Those are THE worst vavles for flushing. I have seen those valves lock up in the down postion and shut the raw water suply off and burn up the pumps

Actually, Sunchaser, those valves were never "really" installed with the engines but were remove for that very reason. Other things have changed also when the engines came out last time. A different fuel system with Aeromotive pumps and regulators & billet fuel filters, the tank transfer valves were removed, the shift assemblies were moved from the transom to the port & stb. sides, the fuses were removed from the transom & replaced with auto-reset breakers behind the rear seat, new McLeod bolsters were installed, the cockpit carpeting was changed from purple to gray (way too hot!!). The ignition systems were changed during the "engine reconstruction" along with the Brodix heads, new intakes & new 950cfm carbs.
I hope to start in Feb. redoing the cuddy upholstery & installing the new macerator head & electric water pump ( I've never used the head in my Formula) but hey, the Sonic came with one so it gets replaced along with everything else. There seems to be a problem with the GUEST battery charger, so I am replacing it with a dual Minn Kota charger. I also want to add a custom hatch/sun pad. That rear hatch is slick when wet!! Bust your ass real fast!! Also on the list is "shortie" lowers to get the props up higher & a cockpit covber ( I have a custom full cover already).
I just finished removing the Prochargers from my 312 Formula
and the NEW owner is supposed to be here this weekend with my check!! Now to buy my new lowers!!:D
Ain't life grand???? Oh yes, and today was my birthday!!

Well since we missed it

HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY

thanks!! sryy fot thr no caps, but i just got out of the hospital toda @ noon after shoulder surgery and i can only use my left hand for now. it sucks big time!! thanks again.
george

:mad: Well, nothing but problems this summer.... the shorties worked great (easy turn up of 26 & 28" props) but one engine just would not rev up past 4500 under load for anything!! Pulled it & found up to 85% leakdown on my new engine with aluminum heads!! Cheaked the 2nd engine & found similar problems...... back to the shop for a serious diagnosis!! I guarantee the same builder will not touch these engines again!!:mad:
Oh, & I just had a knee replacement 3 weeks ago!! Which went very well. I'm getting ALL my bad parts replaced it seems!!:ernaehrung004:

Very nice looking boat.

Thanks... it's also the smoothest riding boat I have ever been in.... including Formulas & Fountains....:ernaehrung004:

Those bolsters Rock.... :ernaehrung004:

Thanks alot!! I'm now waiting for the 3rd set of engines to go in it for next summer. I have not had the best of luck with engines or my prior builders.... so I changed shops for a better and much longer reputation & more money of course!! Maybe these will stay together..... crossing my fingers!!:food-smiley-007:

Blown Formula if you dont mind how much did you pay for the boat? I was trying to buy that 94 31SS that was in the project section for $8000 with no trailer, no motors. It had been sunk. I was talking to a friend who has redone boats and he told me I shouldnt go over 6 but I did. It didnt matter because he sold it anyways. Does anyone know who bought that Sonic?

I overpaid for what I got, but the marine survey told a story of a near perfect boat with new engines in it and a perfect interior!! So don't believe everything you are told or even see in pictures & surveys. Your eyes only...... 27k..... I guess I was Fred's first victim (prior to Trick Marine)

The only saving grace is I now have a distinctive boat like non other that rides & drives extremely well and has given me "alot to do" over the years. As my wife says''' I needed to "bond" with my boat to really appreciate it, so I guess I have!!

What year is your boat?

1988 / 2007

Blown Formula
 

You Mentioned That The Shorties Worked Great. What Did You Put On The Sonic, And What Were The Results? Thanks ,John M.

Before the shorties, the engines would not spin any prop to get the boat on plane larger than a 23" Bravo 3 blade. I knew it should be doing better and the explanation could only be the x-dimension was too deep. I put on the 2" shorties and even with my current engine problems I could turn 26 & 28" 4 blades. I really cannot give top end figures as I was having one engine that would not turn over 4500 while the other would spin a 26" up to 6000 rpm. My speed at that point was like 76.4 mph on the gps. When both engines are working, I expect well over 80 mph and maybe 30" props....??? That's just a guess based on the way the boat felt coming up even with the weak engine. Next summer will be the tell all.
George

Blown Formula
 

Thanks For The Info On The Shorties. I Have A 1995 31 With Home Built 500's. Best Top End So Far Is 81.6 On Gps With 1.50 Gears 28 Bravo 4 Blades Turning 5400 Rpms. The Boat Is 8000 Lbs. On A Cat Scale. I Was Wondering If The Shorties Carried The Bow At Cruising Speeds. My Boat Will Go About 50 Mph At 3200 Rpms And It Carries The Bow Good Without Much Trim Maybe 2 To 3 On The Indicator. Did You Ever Check The Bottom To See If There Is A Hook Or Rocker. Mine Has A Slight Hook, Thinking About Taking It Out. Thanks For The Quick Feedback Its Nice To Talk To Someone Who Has Tried Stuff Thank You John M.

Yes & Yes
Yes- there was a slight hook in the bottom.... but I had it straightened 3 years ago.... the 1st thing I had done & re-gelcoated on the bottom as I was going to paint the sides & deck. Take out the hook, it's worth it!! This 30SS rides very well

Yes- the shorties carry the bow very well with no trim.... if I trim out I get a great rooster tail & start to porpoise!! On mine a 3-4 is almost flat with the hull, any less is negative trim, more is nose down..... it's alot on how the cables & indicator are adjusted. All the way up is "0" for me.
With your speed & rpm with 28" I feel confident of maybe 30" on mine or repith my 28 to a 29".... we will just have to wait and see.....

Just read the whole thread. Very cool project!! Awesome Job!!!

I grew up boating on Lake Eufaula!! What area are you from down there? I lived over at Shady Grove, east of Checotah.

nice job! read the whole thread. its nice to see something from start to almost finish in one go!

WOW,,,thats a nice SONIC !!!!!! NEED to see it in person ?!:ernaehrung004: