Winter Upgrades

OK, the ProTec is on the list for the winter upgrade since it seems to be getting weak and is probably starting to cost a bit of increased fuel use. I'm getting a bit sluggish out of the hole and require more throttle to get the job done these days. While I'm at it I also need to to the manifold gaskets, and If anyone thinks it's a good idea I may do head gaskets as well while I'm there. The boat has 925 hrs and runs fine just a bit weaker than year past.

Here's the question. I'm thinking about adding a cam and intake while I do the ProTec. I don't need a motor rebuild and already have GT40 heads so I don't see a real reason th switch to the GT40P's. What intake and what should I look for in a cam?   We run very little ballast and usually keep it below 30, I ride between 24 and 26 and the boat turns less than 3000 RPM's the majority of the time even when we have a full load of people. I'm not trying to build some crazy motor like Joe right now, that may happen down the road though, just want to liven up what I've got a bit.   I'm also curious to know if an intake would be noticeable without the cam.   I think I can slip a cam in without pulling the motor, having to pull the motor would be the deal breaker on the cam.   Just eyeballing it, it looks like there is room if I pull the invertaflow I'll a few inches to spare.

No intake leak that I know of, might be a little bit of a leak on the exhaust risers. I need to clean it up real good and watch it next time out. I checked the timing, which was OK, and changed the plugs last weekend and got real improvement. Carb seems to be working as well as it ever has, starts first try and idles perfectly with no help every time even when cold.

Acme 328 (12.5X15 I think). I can't remember the RPM's she used to turn, but I've always been able to run a solid 48 everytime, and on occasion have gotten to 49.5. The last few tries have been 42 to 43. Due to an issue with the drive shaft and the rudder being very close there is only one prop available for the Excel.

The power upgrade is more to have it when I do need it I realize that I won't use it most of the time.   Occasionally someone asks for for more out of the hole, I could also use a bit more for the shows we do at the boat races. The course is very tight and every second we are wasting to get back to speed on the ends is not entertaining the crowd. We get a very limited number of tricks each pass being able to add 1 more would be a bonus, but I need to be able to either hold the speed on the very tight turn, or get it back quickly.   The first year we used aboat that had a 496 the speed in the turns was about the same, but once aimed straight it almost instantly returned to speed. The people that run the race prefer the Excel because the wake doesn't swamp the boats they are trying to load into the water while we do our thing. I know some torque is what I'm looking for and stroker motor will be in the plans when it comes time for a rebuild.

If there would be no benefit from a cam and intake upgrade when we need it then no use in doing it. I do realize that I don't need it the majority of the time.

No clearance issues, I think I have about 6 inches above the motor. I've eyeballed the space in the back and it looks like there is more than the length of the block between the block and the transom. It's really almost as easy to work on as a DD since the space was made for a BBC.

You may be right about the secondaries, speed runs are the only time I get into them, I don't think they open out of the hole.   They aren't real easy to check because of a kill switch on the hatch and I'm a bit worried to run those speeds with the hatch open acting like a sail. I will look at them before I begin tearing into the motor once the hatch is removed.    The holeshot and the extra throttle required is what I'm really noticing. We used to never need more than half throttle to get out, now we use 3/4 and with enough people we need the whole thing and more would be nice because that's still a bit slow. With plenty of power I can control when the newbies fly when learning to foil. I'm loosing that ability, as I have to move the throttle more its easier to over do it. Most people that know what there doing and are used to much bigger boats don't notice the Holeshot because I'm still as fast as the big boats.

That's what I was thinking, they don't open until RPM's are up so they aren't adding anything out of the hole.    I used to be able to hear them open, but I added a little sound insulation to the back wall behind the seat and now it's not so easy to hear. Good tricks though to check them without opening the hatch.

Most vdrives don't have the space, the Excel though is more like a DD without the pylon in the way.

If you have a spare Python to donate to the cause I'll give it a try!

TX Foilhead wrote: If there would be no benefit from a cam and intake upgrade when we need it then no use in doing it. I do realize that I don't need it the majority of the time.

No one have said that.

What Eric and I tried to say is that first you should check some basics on the engine tuneup and condition and then you can judge if you need/want more HP.

now, do you need it cause you want it? or you want it cause you need it?

OK, things are looking up a bit finance wise so I thought I would add this.

I know general consensus around here is to add the GT40p heads when upgrading the standard 240hp motor.   Is there enough of a benefit to justify changing my GT40 heads out for some GT40p's. The car guys seem to think not or are undecided, but they are benifiting more at RPM's I'll never see, and they seem to have issues with the new location of the plugs in the GT40p's.

TRBenj wrote: If doing both, Id go with a taller dual plane intake if you can fit it (like the Edelbrock Performer RPM or Weiand Stealth). Those will be 2.5" taller than stock. If you cant fit them, or only plan to do the intake, go with the regular Performer, which is ~1.5" taller than stock.

I understand why you say that if you cant fit an RPM or stealth to go with a regular performer but you also said "or if you only plan to do the intake" to just go with the performer. Why? They are the same price would there be a disadvantage or issue with putting a RPM or stealth on with a stock cam and gt40 heads?

The reason I am asking is I am doing some winter upgrades as well. I have a set of gt40p heads on the way and I am shopping around for intakes. I would like to do the cam but dont want to commit under I see how much I end up spending on floor/stringers (another project). If the floor turns out to not eat up all my extra money I may drop the cam in. I figure I might as well do the intake especially as I have seen a couple edelbrock performers on craigslist for around 100 and it will already be off.

well Im still optimistic but am planning for the worst. From what i have been able to inspect its in ok shape. Im hoping it doesnt dissentegrate when I get in there. All of my lag bolts are not stripped and when I removed the gas tank the wood around the exhaust and the back of the stringers where still solid and the fiberglass wasnt even cracked. I have a few soft spots in the floor and I am hoping if I head it off now it wont turn into completely rotted stringers and wet foam. The jury is still out. Im sure Ill have updates.