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Opinions on upgrades

O

Overspray

Active member
Fellas, I've enjoyed this summer running my boat a handful of times, but now she's finally hibernating for the winter.
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Which means I have to gather parts to address all of the maintenance issues in the spring. I know I need a new gimbal ring (or have mine welded and machined), as it's severely worn. But my new surprise is my prop shaft, it's quite twisted.

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Now, my first question is if it's worth the extra to upgrade while I'm replacing. 8 know it usually is, but I'm concerned that if I beef up the shaft, I'll learn what the next weak link is online to fail.

The next order of business is the motor. I love my big block, it sounds amazing and has gobs of torque and horsepower to move her around. BUT I'm really interested in an aluminum LS to save the weight. She's really ass heavy and I feel like that's a big issue with constant porpoising. Anyone want to throw thier opinions, feel free.
 
Well, everybody on here already knows my opinion on what motor you should go with. That being said, I'm just going to leave this here and let you ponder what a 540lbs, 600hp motor would do to that boat of yours....

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One must pull back throttle in proportion to the time the out drive is out of the water, multiplied by speed over power (Straight from the book of Jim). I wonder what the run out on that shaft is?
 
Corey, I know I want to go LS. Just seeing what the common concensus is. I plan on selling my 502 in the spring, I doubt I'll be using the boat at all next summer due to a newborn coming at the beginning of the season. I'm really looking at doing fairly stock swap for now.

Jim, I'm pretty sure it was the PO that did the propshaft in. I know they jumped it quite a bit, and I never have haha.
 
I'd replace the shaft with a 1.25" piece and go boating, especially if you are planning on upgrading power. Obviously check gears and replace if needed while apart.

You could also just buy a -2" shorty and swap lowers hehe.
 
If the gimble is worn,, You also need to replace steering shaft and top and bottom pin all at once. They all ware out together. Do not weld and patch this up,, use all new parts. Your life and your passengers life are at risk.. If your gimble breaks at speed your boat will make a sharp right hand turn and roll over..
 
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