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Thread: Will the 383 Scorpion fit in a 1993 Donzi?

  1. #1
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    Will the 383 Scorpion fit in a 1993 Donzi?

    Call me crazy, but I own a new Mercury 383 stroker scorpion, 400 HP, bravo configuration. I want to put it in a nice 18 Classic with a windshield. I am on the west coast and it is hard to even look at a Donzi way out here. I would prefer to find a newer 18 classic but there is a nice looking older one (1993) in Seattle (HINCCVBB122D393) that is available and I sea trialed it. Finding a real nice 18 out west is proving to be hard for me and I am getting antsy to get a boat for the summer. I am considering buying the old 1993 Classic 18 in Seattle if I could determine that the 383 might work in it. The Classic 18 in Seattle has a King Cobra outdrive and an OMC 351 HO. My approach would be to junk the tired 351 and try to use the King Cobra outdrive if reasonably possible.

    Do you guys think my 383 will fit in the 1993 classic and bolt up to the King Cobra outdrive? The exhaust setup on the OMC 531 is kind of wierd with 90-degree bends they put in it after the elbows for some reason, but I suppose I could cut new holes in the transom and have someone patch the old ones for a fee. Here is a link with photos of the Classic 18 I am considering for my 383 scorpion:

    http://www.parkplaceltd.com/all-cars...ctual_~Year_/1

    And by the way, if someone has a sweet 200? 18 Classic out there to sell, I am very interested. I missed the pretty 2006 in Thousand Islands that was posted a couple weeks ago unfortunately. I should have jumped all over it.....

    Blind Horse (Jeff)
    Bellingham, Washington
    383 Stroker Scorpion MPI 400 Bravo (no boat)

  2. #2
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    Much much easier if you start with a bravo boat and probably cheaper too since you are talking about a ford to gm conversion. If you start with a small block gm / king cobra boat then it would be easy too.
    Jay Z.
    '93 White/Teal Classic 22

  3. #3
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    just a few thoughts that may help.

    OMC used both Ford and Chevy power with the KC not sure if the adapter is the same but it can be sourced Volvo also makes an SX/cobra adapter for a Chevy that should work.

    The 383 Scorpion Stroker 400hp usually comes with merc spec'd CMI headers, I have seen the 350HP version with standard Merc type risers.

    The CMI headers made for Merc are not the best you will need to adapt from the back of the header to the current tips not sure if that is possible to re-use the existing holes.

    They fit a 377 scorp into an 18 , it may pay to visit the X-dim. as well , so a late model bump out hatch might help. I would Imagine the 351 sits pretty high in there now.

    Also make sure the Scorp is setup for an I/O not a v drive that will lead some head aches.

    the cut out for a KC and a merc boat should be the same

    http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...7&d=1256423142

    http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...1&d=1270990887

    http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachme...9&d=1271071703
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  4. #4
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    Lots off good advice from Matty.
    Definitely looks like a nice clean boat. May be the way to go for you especially seeing as you won't have any shipping costs, but check out the final costs of what you want to do first.

    I know what you're going through. Pickings are pretty thin out west. I had to ship mine from Chicago. If you do decide on that boat I'd work them hard on the price. OMC boats don't sell as easily as Bravo boats.

    Good luck....and keep us posted

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    I appreciate the good advice. I plan to hold out looking for a bravo configuration. If something doesn't come up in the next few weeks, I might end up in Seattle bringing the king cobra home. I am a motivated buyer, owned lots of boats, and have cash.

    Thanks again, there is a ton of great stuff on this forum. Hopefully I can return the favors.

    Blind Horse (Jeff)
    Bellingham, Washington

  6. #6
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    You need to find a GM/OMC bell housing that is an easy bolt together package, the King is actually a better drive than the Bravo it is also slightly faster due to its lower unit design. A 383 in a classic is a hoot, we have one around here very warmed over with dual quads it runs in the upper 80's.

    Phil
    No matter what your beliefs are "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

    Fully retired marine tech near 60 years in the biz.

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    Here ya go a page full of GM/OMC bell housings, GM uses a standard bolt pattern. All will fit but the 5.0 and up "may" be a bot better not sure.

    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...0440&_from=R40

    You want one that looks like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-8-5-0-4-3-...c244f9&vxp=mtr
    No matter what your beliefs are "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

    Fully retired marine tech near 60 years in the biz.

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    Instead of the 1993 classic 18 I was considering, I found a 2001 Donzi 18 and bought it. It has a 350 mag mpi with alpha drive, 35 hours apparently. I want to put my stroker 383 400HP in the boat but I need to order a new bravo 1 for it. Does anyone have advice on what gear ratio to purchase and what prop to start with?

    Additionally, I want to become a paid subscriber to this website and get listed on the registry but I don't know how. Do I simply use the donate button and give some money or am I supposed to register some other way with a set price?

    Blind Horse
    Bellingham, Washington
    2001 Donzi 18 Classic

  9. #9
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    The Alpha drive is faster (it's smaller) than a Bravo, and 400 HP isn't too much for it.
    Why not install your engine w/the Alpha, at least until (if ever) it fails.
    Before I sold my Minx, I upgraded everything inside the boat for a Bravo (inner transom plate, Bravo (large) coupler, Bravo flywheel cover. The idea was, if I found a deal on a Bravo, all I had to do was change the gimbal housing and drive.
    I think a 1.5:1 is the ideal ratio for good prop selection.
    George Carter
    Central Florida
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    http://kineticocentralfl.com/


    “If you have to argue your science by using fraud, your science is not valid"
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    I think you can just hit the donate button and follow the prompts. Not sure if any magic happens such that if you do all this while logged in, the donation is tied to your user account. Regardless, I'd think the Harbormaster would figure it out by matching at least the email address on the donation form to the one on your user account.

    As for drive ratio, I would think a typical 1.5 ratio would be what you wanted. That said, I know of at least one HIGH HP supercharged 18 that runs a 1.65 ratio. (There's a debate to be had there about turning a steeper prop more slowly, among other things.) I'm thinking there will be folks with very similar setups to yours who can point you to more certainty and some likely props. One of which will hopefully be the Mirage Plus 25 I need to sell.

    Another question might be whether you should go Bravo1 or Bravo1x...
    "I don't have time to get into it, but he went through a lot." -Pulp Fiction

  11. #11
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    Great find on the low hour 18, when you mention 383 400hp is it the blue scorpion racing engine or the black scorpion? Either way 400 HP in front of a Alpha'd 18 I'd think would be a tick faster than the bigger Bravo case and if driven with respect and throttled properly would last a longtime, remember you can buy what 2-3 Alpha's for the cost of 1 Bravo. When I added HP to my 18 many told be I'd have to step up to a Bravo X or XR, I never did, mine is a stock Bravo boat, the 18 is a light boat and I honestly believe there are a few factors that have kept the drive alive, I change fluid often (25 hrs) even if it doesn't look like it needs it, NO fast holeshots, I've never pulled a skiier nor plan to, and albeit I'm not perfect on the throttle I don't zing the prop much when it leaves the water, and I am running 3 bladed props which tend to slip a little more than say a 4 or 5, ill hold back on the prop debate but I've found a 3 blade to work nicely for my set up. Ratio well I'm in the camp of running a higher ratio gear and larger prop more slowly than a smaller prop faster, true it may take longer to find the correct wheel but I've found it to be worth it in lower slip numbers and an awesome acceleration, my .02 worth, I'd drop that 383 in save your money that your spend on the bravo and conversation and apply that towards a good hydraulic steering system and start prop testing.
    Steve

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    I would listen very carefully to the advice given. It is a very knowledgeable and helpful group of people.

    Osur866 KNOWS of what he speaks. And in true classy fashion, his answer isn’t about him, or his remarkable boat.

    A little searching will reveal that he has a supercharged, high hp 18 that runs exceptionally well at speeds most lust after.

    Alpha with a drive shower, easy on the throttle during take offs and any air time, and hydraulic steering with the money not spent on the Bravo.
    “Oh right, because you walked into strippers discount warehouse and said ‘Help me showcase my intellect.’” - Archer

    Bill
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    1985 Donzi Criterion SS
    1967 Donzi 16 Ski Sporter, C16-409, Has a new home!
    38' Carver Aft Cabin
    1968 Sea Ray SRV 180 w/1975 70 hp Evinrude
    10" RIB w/15 hp 1984 Evinrude

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Just Say N20 View Post
    I would listen very carefully to the advice given. It is a very knowledgeable and helpful group of people.

    Osur866 KNOWS of what he speaks. And in true classy fashion, his answer isn’t about him, or his remarkable boat.

    A little searching will reveal that he has a supercharged, high hp 18 that runs exceptionally well at speeds most lust after.

    Alpha with a drive shower, easy on the throttle during take offs and any air time, and hydraulic steering with the money not spent on the Bravo.
    Thanks Bill, I forgot to mention the drive shower.
    2006 CLASSIC 18 WHIPPLED MX 6.2, BRAVO 1, STAINLESS MARINE EXHAUST, LATHAM STEERING, IMCO 2" SHORTY, LABBED MIRAGE PLUS

    TALK IS CHEAP, I'M FROM THE "SHOW ME STATE" SHOW ME

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    Most importantly, I made a donation to the website this morning and I hope to get my boat info on the registry tonight after work.

    Secondly, thanks for the good advice.

    My insurance company told me yesterday that they wouldn't insure my 2001 classic 18 with the 300 hp motor. The insurance company doesn't even know yet that I plan to increase it to 400 hp. I am a 39 year old civil engineer, married, own a house, own a company, with no driving record whatsoever. I wonder if this insurance issue is a problem for anyone else who runs Donzis?

    Blind Horse
    2001 Classic 18, 350 Mag MPI, Mirage Plus 25

  15. #15
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    Insurance is a whole other issue. I have a home, 3 cars, motorcycle, and a 38’ CARVER all with State Farm, good driving record, etc. They would insure my Donzi Ski-Sporter, but at $890/year.

    My agent told me SHE wouldn't use State Farm to insure my boat.

    Some searching on here will bring up discussions regarding the peculiarities associated with insuring Donzi classics, and what others have done.

    And I always put out this disclaimer. Be honest with the insurance company about what they are insuring. If you upgrade the engine/or replace it, tell them. If you ever have a reason to submit a claim, and they find out your engine is modified/replaced, they will not pay, saying what they were paid to insure, was NOT what you submitted the claim on.

    If you do end up with the Alpha drive and 400 hp under the hatch, I predict you will be dancing around 75 mph.
    “Oh right, because you walked into strippers discount warehouse and said ‘Help me showcase my intellect.’” - Archer

    Bill
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    1985 Donzi Criterion SS
    1967 Donzi 16 Ski Sporter, C16-409, Has a new home!
    38' Carver Aft Cabin
    1968 Sea Ray SRV 180 w/1975 70 hp Evinrude
    10" RIB w/15 hp 1984 Evinrude

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