New zz383

[Ralph Savarese]

Well the new GM Zz383 crate engine is incredible 450 hp 450 lbs feet of torque spinning a solas 23 to 5500 appears to be pushing 70 mph
midrange torque is in incredible
I am so glad I did the external hydraulic steering could not have powered this boat like this without it. I don't think there are any 66 triple hatch barrel back 18s out there doing this.
One thing I have to say is in 48 years I have owned this boat it never had a sea cock and I installed it when I put the engine in . This weekend after. 48 years I had to use it. The inlet pipe fitting on the sea water pump broke off and we were sinking after mike noticed an overheat from my back seat. I am grateful that we did not wreck the new motor and or sink the boat. What are the odds of installing a sea cock and then having to use it after 48 years!

[jl1962]

Wow!

Good timing!

Glad you didn't lose the boat or break anything.

[tamburello]

What intake manifold and carb did you use on your ZZ383? Did you have to make any changes to the engine?

Glad to hear that the newly installed petcock saved the day.

[johnnywhale]

Accelerating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGgBPm0peKM

Cruise - @ 1:15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqcw8MUeOAY

[gcarter]

Such a good idea to have a positive method to prevent sinking.

[joseph m. hahnl]

Accelerating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGgBPm0peKM

Cruise - @ 1:15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqcw8MUeOAY

LMAO! Cruise @ 3:31 your hat blew out

[Ralph Savarese]

What intake manifold and carb did you use on your ZZ383? Did you have to make any changes to the engine?

Glad to hear that the newly installed petcock saved the day.

I used a edelbrok performer for a vortec the only modification I had to do was D out the exhaust manifolds to match the heads easy to do on stainless marine manifolds.I also converted to fresh water cooling. I went with a half system other than that it is a beautiful engine

[Greg Guimond]

Well the new GM Zz383 crate engine is incredible - 450 hp 450 lbs feet of torque. One thing I have to say is in 48 years I have owned this boat ...........

You have owned your Donzi 18 for 48 consecutive years?

[Ralph Savarese]

You have owned your Donzi 18 for 48 consecutive years?

Yes my father bought it new in 66 I was a year old use to ride on his lap a a child . I have had this boat my whole life. My dad has since passed on people ask me what this boat is worth . I simply say it is priceless ! I hope my son who is now 19 can say the same.

[Greg Guimond]

Not only is that super cool, it's amazing and must be a Donzi record. Your family (and now you) must be #1 for years owned.

[Ralph Savarese]

Not only is that super cool, it's amazing and must be a Donzi record. Your family (and now you) must be #1 for years owned.

This is my connection with my Dad. I wish he was here to see how it performs now. He would be amazed. My whole mechanical career started with me working on this boat with him. Wow I could tell stories about things that we have done with this boat in 48 years. I still love either working on it or riding in it it could be the worst of times but things are always better when I am some how playing with my Donzi!