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bigdawgchallenger
09-05-2009, 11:14 PM
Ok, I have the stock 454's in my 89 Z33, anyone with sugestions on upgrades for the engins? I was thinking Intake and possibly cam. Other ideas? Where would I get the most Bang for the buck?

Mike

mrfixxall
09-06-2009, 12:19 AM
Ok, I have the stock 454's in my 89 Z33, anyone with sugestions on upgrades for the engins? I was thinking Intake and possibly cam. Other ideas? Where would I get the most Bang for the buck?

Mike



Buy the 31 formula i posted in the other boats forsale section and pull the engines out of yours and swap them with the formulas engines then resell the formula for 18995.00...trust me you wont be sorry,those engines are almost new in the formula ,and they kick ass..

oledawg
09-06-2009, 06:36 AM
As a newbie to Donzi I have LOTS of questions, one of them being "what is definition of a stock engine?". I have a '88 Classic 22 2+3 with the 454 that supposedly is the magnum version ( although outdrive says 7.4L ) with Edelbrock manifold, 850 Holley doublepumper, 4 bolt main, etc. Engine looks VERY different than the PMC 454 that is in my Correct Craft ( Donzi has bigger heads with chrome covers, Accel electronics, dual gas lines, etc. ). Has a Mirage SS 27p prop. I have no idea about the current HP, etc. How can you tell what the heck you have? This is a new purchase and I really have no idea what I have. Runs good, idles like my Harley ( lopes ), sounds like NASCAR has come to the lake, draws LOTS of attention, driving at speed is sort of sketchy for me at this point, I am sure that I will learn if I don't sink the blooming thing first. Bottom line, any info would be welcome or direction to where I can figure this thing out. Best, :cool!:

MOP
09-06-2009, 08:31 AM
The previous owner should be able to tell you what you have, from what you say it sounds healthy and swings a 27"wheel it has some decent HP. Also if you post the old owner name there could very well be someone up here that knows the boat.

Phil

oledawg
09-06-2009, 10:05 AM
Interesting that you should say that about the previous owner. Heck of a nice guy, said that he used to work for Donzi, but I have no contact info other than a mailing address. He sold the boat to me through eBay and had someone else do all of the posting, negotiating, etc. for him. Dealing with this seller was not a good experience and I do not want to talk with him. Guess that I can try snail mail to see what the most recent owner can tell me. I assume that given all of the changes with Donzi over the years there is no such thing as factory records ( LOL ) to determine what the original build was. I know that this boat has had at least 4 owners including me. Heck, I might not even want to know the history! Might be scary! :cool!:

oledawg
09-07-2009, 09:59 PM
Also, apparently I am not "allowed" on this site to look for other members names, etc. I have no idea what this is all about. I am on CorrectCraftFan.com and can go anywhere that I want to. Since I am new to this site I guess that there must be "levels" of permission. Anyway, not a big deal, I don't need access to lots, just access to folks that know a little something about Donzi's!:wink:

Donzi_Dude
09-08-2009, 08:59 AM
Ok, I have the stock 454's in my 89 Z33, anyone with sugestions on upgrades for the engins? I was thinking Intake and possibly cam. Other ideas? Where would I get the most Bang for the buck?

Mike

i would say exhaust manifolds. depending on the head and cams you have now you may or may not see gains from intake/cam. depends on what your switching to also.

The Hedgehog
09-08-2009, 09:09 AM
That is tricky without knowing what you have. Let's just say that you have a 454 that makes 325hp. Well you could probably add 100+ hp pretty easy by doing some headwork, cam, exhaust, intake and carb. If you are already turning 425 - 450 hp, you are pretty much done without doing something serious.

What kind of speeds are you turning? I am sure that a number of folks here can tell you what kind of hp it takes to go 55, 65 and 70 mph on both the z-33 and a classic. As far as I know the z-33 hull has been taken to 90.

Donzigo
09-12-2009, 06:11 AM
The off the showroom speed was probably 55 to 60 MPH with the 454s with 23 pitch Mirage wheels.

I had that same set up then changed to 496s w new drives. I am very happy with the performance now.

Cuda
09-12-2009, 06:08 PM
It most likely came with 454/330's.
I couldn't imagine the power it would take to get a Z33 to 90. An extra 100 horses might get you 4 to 5 mph. Only you can decide if the cost is worth the mph.

The Hedgehog
09-12-2009, 06:42 PM
It most likely came with 454/330's.
I couldn't imagine the power it would take to get a Z33 to 90. An extra 100 horses might get you 4 to 5 mph. Only you can decide if the cost is worth the mph.

Ask Z33 Black Widow. Herrings, shortys and around 600hp a side will get it. Cuda is right, 100 hp will net a few mph

BigGrizzly
09-13-2009, 09:12 AM
There is no cheap simple upgrads, you have a big boat so in order to realize any good difference you will need more then 50 real HP per engine maybe closer to 100 HP/engine.

Dr. David Fleming
09-19-2009, 12:00 PM
I have a collection of Mercruiser sales catalogues and a few Donzi cataloges that date back to the beginning of the company.

When I look these over it is really amazing the same engine options were manufactured and sold over the years with a few changes in technology.

The big block chevy was used by Merc for all the large engines and the horsepower was fairly standard. The biggest issue seems they were using them with the Alpha size drive and the failures were a real problem so they quit using the big engine for a year or so until the Bravo drive came out and solved the problem.

Merc also offered for a couple of years a series of racing engines that were fairly standard for the time.

All these motors were carburated usually with Holly, Rochester or Carter carbs. All used distributor igniton and cast iron manifolds with a rear riser. Compression was usually low as it is today but a few had high compression in the days of leaded fuel.

I could look up specifics and copy you the catalogues if that would help.

Dr. d

Donzi_Dude
09-19-2009, 01:41 PM
I have a collection of Mercruiser sales catalogues and a few Donzi cataloges that date back to the beginning of the company.

Dr. d


you wouldnt happen to have a 70'-71' Donzi catalog?


:)

BigGrizzly
09-21-2009, 11:33 AM
Actually Dr the Rochester and carter thing is not totally true. You are probably refering to the Bul Dog and hp500s which were both actually about 470 hp and race classed engines. Later they became fuel injected motors. As for waiting for the bravo,that was only some befor the alpha they used TRS which was trouble free, then the bravo was shunned because the alpha was a faster drive.

Dr. David Fleming
09-21-2009, 09:42 PM
1967 Donzi Catalogue -

white folder with color pics of Donzi 18-2=3 specs on reverse side, Donzi F-14 specs on reverse side, Donzi Seven Meter 23 with specs on reverse side, Donzi St. Tropez 19 with specs on reverse side. Blue 1968 Donzi price list, 5 page 1969 Donzi Price List with all options for boats.


???? Donzi Catalogue - (Donzi fleet brochure)

One page folded into a catalogue Blue cover with words "The Ultimate" - color pictures of boats - Donzi doral 24 - Donzi El Pescador 24 - Donzi GT 21 - Donzi 19 hornet - Donzi X 18 - Donzi 18-2+2 - Donzi 16 ski sporter/O B baby.

1970 Donzi Catalogue -

Four pages, white cover - color pictures of Donzi 21GT, Donzi Hornet 19, Donzi Corsican 18, Donzi 18-2+3, Donzi Ski Sporter 16, Donzi Seven Meter 23, Donzi Hornet 19, Donzi Corsican 18.

1988 Donzi Fleet Brochure - (One page sheet folds up into catalogue)

Donzi Classics - 18-2+3, MINX, 22 2+3,
Z Series - Z 21, ZB 21, Z 25, Z 29, Z 33, and "Donzi Mens Cologne, The sweet Smell of Success"
Ragazza by Donzi - R 17, R 19, R 21, R 23
Fishing Series - FC 23, F 25, F 33.

1989 Donzi Brochure -

Donzi 18(2+3), 22 (2+3), Z-22, Z-25, Z-33 Crossbow, F-23, EL PESCADOR 250, F-33 - Ragazza R-47DL, R-19, R-21 DL, R-21 Cuddy Cabin, R-23, R-25.

1973 Kiekhaefer aeromarine racing engines catalogue - rundown on the following engines KAM 74-454, KAM 74-468, KAM 74-482, KAM 74-496 This is not Mercury Marine

This is it on the Donzi Catalogues,

Dr. d

Dr. David Fleming
09-21-2009, 10:30 PM
1971- inboard Model 324, 325hp, 427cubi inch - 4bbl carb -8.8:1 comp.
inboard Model 390, 390hp, 482cubi inch - 4bbl carb - 10:1 comp.
1973- inboard Model 325, 325hp, 427cubi inch - 4bbl carb -8.8:1 comp.
inboard Model 350, 350hp, 454cubi inch - 4bbl carb -8.5:1 comp.
1974- inboard Model 350, 350hp, 454cubi inch - 4bbl carb -8.5:1 comp.
1975- inboard Model 350, 350hp, 454cubi inch - 4bbl carb -8.5:1 comp.
1976- inboard Model 350, 350hp, 454cubi inch - 4bbl carb -8.5:1 comp.
1977- Alpha drive, 330TRS/TR, 330hp, 454 cu.in- 4bbl carb- 8.2:1comp.
1978- Alpha drive, 330TRS/TR, 330hp, 454 cu.in- 4bbl carb- 8.2:1comp.
1980- Alpha drive, 330TRS/TR, 330hp, 454 cu.in- 4bbl carb- 8.7:1comp
1984- Alpha drive, 330TRS/TR, 330hp, 454 cu.in- 4bbl carb- 8.8:1comp
Alpha drive, 370TRS, 370hp, 454 cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 8.8:1comp.
1985- Alpha drive, 330TRS/TR, 330hp, 454 cu.in- 4bbl carb- 8.5:1comp
Racing eng, 370TRS, 370hp, 454 cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 8.6:1comp.
Racing eng, 400TRS, 400hp, 454 cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 8.6:1comp.
Racing eng, 440TRS, 440hp, 454 cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 8.6:1comp.
1988- Bravo drive, 7.4Bravo, 330hp, 454cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 9.3:1comp
Bravo drive, 454MAG, 365hp, 454cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 8.8:1comp.
Racing eng, HP 420, 420hp, 454 cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 8.8:1comp.
1989- Bravo drive, 7.4Bravo, 330hp, 454cu. in.- 4bbl carb- 8.5:1comp.
Bravo drive, 454MAG, 365hp, 454cu. in. - 4bbl carb- 8.8:1comp.
1999- Bravo drive, 7.4MPI, 310hp, 454cu. in. fuel injection- 9.3:1comp.
Bravo drive, 454MAG/MPI, 385hp, 454cu.in fuel inject-8.6:1comp
Bravo drive, 502MAG/MPI, 415hp, 502cu.in fuel inject-8.75:1com

Here is 30 years of engine specs - all run about the same compression ratio, have about the same horsepower and are all chevy 454 big block motors - low performance chevy big block is always around 310/330 horsepower, high power engines are always around 400/440 horsepower - compression varys little because of the marine gasoline. The one racing engine at 10:1 was for leaded premium gasoline - You bet the older engines are a lot easier to tune and troubleshoot!

Dr. d

joseph m. hahnl
09-22-2009, 04:56 PM
As a newbie to Donzi I have LOTS of questions, one of them being "what is definition of a stock engine?". I have a '88 Classic 22 2+3 with the 454 that supposedly is the magnum version ( although outdrive says 7.4L ) with Edelbrock manifold, 850 Holley doublepumper, 4 bolt main, etc. Engine looks VERY different than the PMC 454 that is in my Correct Craft ( Donzi has bigger heads with chrome covers, Accel electronics, dual gas lines, etc. ). Has a Mirage SS 27p prop. I have no idea about the current HP, etc. How can you tell what the heck you have? This is a new purchase and I really have no idea what I have. Runs good, idles like my Harley ( lopes ), sounds like NASCAR has come to the lake, draws LOTS of attention, driving at speed is sort of sketchy for me at this point, I am sure that I will learn if I don't sink the blooming thing first. Bottom line, any info would be welcome or direction to where I can figure this thing out. Best, :cool!:


Magnums in general have all GM performance parts from the factory, where as a standard 454 would have no performance upgrades what so ever.

If you look at the chart posted, a carb'd Mag has 365 ponies right out of the box. as apposed to the standard "non Mag" @ 330 hp

and wow:eek: look at the Mag with MPI a whopping 385HP


Edelbrock is not stock Merc and I don't believe Mercs came stock with Hollys either, Accel ignition. All this leads to a modified engine with aftermarket parts

oledawg
09-22-2009, 06:08 PM
OK, since it runs so nice, sounds so good, and is obviously modified, any downside? Guess there is no way to know what the HP is, just will have to enjoy! :cool!:

BUIZILLA
09-22-2009, 06:46 PM
330-370-400 all came with Qjets

420-440-460 all came with Holley's

Greg Guimond
09-23-2009, 08:01 AM
So it sounds like if you found a bone stock 1999/2000 Magnum MPI like the attached that it is the best bang for the buck at 385hp AND the most efficient?

Greg Guimond
03-10-2010, 07:28 PM
Is there any upgrade path for a 2000 454 Mag MPI with Bravo 3 without going crazy? Anyway to grab another bump off the stock engines 385HP ?

mrfixxall
03-10-2010, 07:32 PM
Is there any upgrade path for a 2000 454 Mag MPI with Bravo 3 without going crazy? Anyway to grab another bump off the stock engines 385HP ?

Procharge it! if tuned rite its good for 10+ mph..

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1598161981.html

Greg Guimond
03-11-2010, 07:09 AM
Would the Bravo 3 drive hold up? What kind of HP bump would a Procharger provide to a factory stock 454 Mag MPI 385HP ?