30 to 60 days out from buying an 18 Classic or X18...looking for Ford Power almost exclusively.
Will probably tear down almost immediately depending on when I finally get it and what the weather in Va is like then...
Hull and interior is getting finished first...get the cosmetics out of the way, $3K-$4K allotted for that as I am doing all the work except the upholstery...
Then the Engine/Drive...If I were building an outboard I'd be dropping $16-$18K on a new engine plus another $2.5K or so on rigging so I'm trying to stay in that range...I know I'll never get the $$$ back out of it but I tend to keep things for a long time so my motto is do'em right the first time...
Motor will most probably be a moderate compression 351W stroked to 406-427CI, keeping the compression down to reduce loads and hopefully add a measure of reliability by doing so...high compression strokers seem to have a tendency to self destruct more often than others...
I have a recipe for a 351W to 427 already and its a pretty tried and true conversion and fairly straight forward...not on the exotic side of things...
Forged pistons and rods, big high volume oil/fuel pumps, Edelbrock alum. High Flow heads and an MSD Ignition coupled with a moderately lobbed camshaft blowing thru a nice free flowing SS exhaust rounds out the basic mill.
The induction seems to have me stumped...
Option 1. NA with a Edlebrock Alum Intake, an appropriate carb running a NO2 system...most people it seems simply run around and enjoy their boats fairly conservatively, as long as the wife was in the boat with me I'd be forced to... but when you really want to get sick with it a spray button putting a fairly nice shot of NO2 is a great way to get a lot of ponies from a motor in a hurry and as long as the valve train and lower end are up to the task really doesnt hurt reliability in the long run too bad...
Option 2. Run a Pro-Charger with 9-14lbs of boost...this opens up the Pandora's Box of FUEL INJECTION, processors and lots of tuning to get it right...
What drive would a prudent person run on a set up like these? I'm thinking Volvo SX or DP, maybe a Blackhawk drive...
Pretty sure I can get 350-400HP out of this set up NA and 475-500HP when dead into it spraying or full boosting...
What say you? Experiences? Problems with the set up? What would be the weak link?
Pics of similar set ups? Especially a Pro-Charged boat...
I am planning on running this boat in fresh water lakes and rivers but live on the Chesapeake Bay...would I have problems cooling this setup running a heat exchanger and antifreeze system if I run in the salt?
As an aside...whats the consensus on MOPAR are there any MOPAR Donzi setups?