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Thread: Buying ZX or ZR

  1. #1
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    Buying ZX or ZR

    Im selling my Sundancer... I miss going fast. Although the Sea Ray is a hell of a boat im bored to tears.
    Im looking at preowned 33 foot to 38 foot zx or zr
    Other boats I owned had 425hp HO 496 and ran great... Most importantly they were reliable.
    Is there any setups I should stay away from?
    I dont want to be turning wrenches everytime I get off the boat.
    Any help or info would be greatly appriciated
    The sting of poor quailty far outlasts the Joy of a cheap price...

  2. #2
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    Find a ZR with 525's.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cuda View Post
    Find a ZR with 525's.
    Yup, a sure cure for boredom.
    Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Oakland

  4. #4
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    I have a 35ZR with 525s, not bored

  5. #5
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    In 2002 Donzi Redesigned the running surface of there Z tech Hull and that was the birth of the ZR's .
    Basically it is a Bionic ZX. better, stronger, faster
    [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7zNY0I5JNI&feature=related[/media]
    machinist ,bore it deeper,ream it bigger, and lap it to a fine finish



    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...=2&theater

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    So the 525 is the way to go? What type of maintance is required during the season besides the usual fluid changes and such?
    And off season... Do I have to get involved in tareing motors down?hanks

    Sorry if im asking dumb questions... Just dont really have a clue when it comes to the reliability of the bigger high performance motors
    Thanks
    The sting of poor quailty far outlasts the Joy of a cheap price...

  7. #7
    mrfixxall Guest

    Fixx

    Quote Originally Posted by Buddyc View Post
    So the 525 is the way to go? What type of maintance is required during the season besides the usual fluid changes and such?
    And off season... Do I have to get involved in tareing motors down?hanks

    Sorry if im asking dumb questions... Just dont really have a clue when it comes to the reliability of the bigger high performance motors
    Thanks
    Around 250-300 hours the only thing that needs to be done would be the valve springs..
    Caution,if the headers on the 525's dont have the newer style headers i would be cautious,merc had a problem with them in the beginning and will leak sea water into the cylinders..the newer headers,,if you look where it mounts to the head the outer tube is welded to the inner tube about 1'' from the flange..If it dont and when you find the rite boat pay extra to have the headers taken off the engines for inspection,most of them leaked..

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Buddyc View Post
    So the 525 is the way to go? What type of maintance is required during the season besides the usual fluid changes and such?
    And off season... Do I have to get involved in tareing motors down?hanks

    Sorry if im asking dumb questions... Just dont really have a clue when it comes to the reliability of the bigger high performance motors
    Thanks
    One of the best engines made. I change the oil 3 times a season. In the off season you can back off the rocker arms or I just rotate the engine a little by wrench periodically. That's because the engine has a huge cam with a lot of lift. You don't want to leave a valve spring compressed for a long time. My off season is only 4 months. :P
    Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Oakland

  9. #9
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    Thats what im talking bout. Cant get that kinda insight anywhere but here.. Thanks
    Im on the lookout now.
    My Sundancer is burning like 25 to 30 gph cruising now... WOT over 45 gph... If im going to burn that much fuel on a weekend, I would rather get there faster
    The sting of poor quailty far outlasts the Joy of a cheap price...

  10. #10
    mrfixxall Guest

    Fixx

    the zr is a nice boat but dont over look a zx,they are slower but if your a big guy the zx has a bigger seating area and the cabin is taller..If your not stuck on donzi take a peek at formula boats,they also make a rock solid boat..

  11. #11
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    If you are looking for more mindless running, I'd stick with the 496 HO's. The Merc blue stuff, as others have already said, do need engine work after 200 or so hours. Even if it is only top end stuff, it still needs to be done, so you have to consider it.

    I'm not saying by any stretch they are bad engines. I'm just playing devils advocate that they are not like the regular merc engine line where you turn the key and run the heck out of them for 800-1000 hours while only doing basic maintenance like oil changes and spark plugs.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by VetteLT193 View Post
    If you are looking for more mindless running, I'd stick with the 496 HO's. The Merc blue stuff, as others have already said, do need engine work after 200 or so hours. Even if it is only top end stuff, it still needs to be done, so you have to consider it.

    I'm not saying by any stretch they are bad engines. I'm just playing devils advocate that they are not like the regular merc engine line where you turn the key and run the heck out of them for 800-1000 hours while only doing basic maintenance like oil changes and spark plugs.
    Thats what I was thinking about. Im thinking a 33 to 35 with twin 496HOs would run pretty well . Not too too bad on fuel and can probibally run the hell out of it
    The sting of poor quailty far outlasts the Joy of a cheap price...

  13. #13
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    Cant go wrong with the 496 HO's or the 525's. If I heard correctly, twin 496 HO's in a 35ZR will do like 78, and 525's in the same hull like around 10-12mph faster. I love our ZX, but I really love the lines of the 35 and 38ZR's! Good luck in your search.
    2002 28ZX

  14. #14
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    buy mine

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