Going 75

[ralph crocker]

Putting together a plan. Although I understand there are numerous factors involved besides the powerplant. Roughly what horsepower is needed to push a classic 18 75 MPH with a Volvo drive. It will be run easy I just want that 75 MPH in my pocket for occasional speed run.

Thanks in advance.

[roadtrip se]

400-ish hp stroker 383 should do it. I have never done it with a Volvo, my experiences were with a 383 TRS and Scorpion Bravo-driven 18. Both broke 75. Plenty of guys here that have made Volvos run good, but that will be your challenge from my view.

[maddad]

Ralph, roadtrip se has it right. The 400+ hp is only the start. As you get faster with an AQ drive, the steering and control gets worse. The steering in my boat now is as tight as possible, but still uses the tiller arm inside the boat. I'm slowly working on an external system so I can see how fast an old AQ drive can go.

[ralph crocker]

What is an AQ drive???

[kraftee]

AQ stands for "Aquamatic" - it's what Volvo calls their sterndrives.

[maddad]

Ralph, like kraftee said. The AQ's are the early white Volvo drives. I just assumed that's what kind of drive you had. If you have one of the later Volvo drives, your goal of 75 should be a lot easier. They don't have the steering fork/helmet flex that make the AQ's a bit unpredictable at speed.