My brother has a 1997 ZT280 with a 385hp, carb 454. He was running a 22 pitch stainless steel prop. At 5100 rpm, he could only get 51 mph speedo with 5 adults and 4 kids or about 1500 lbs of people and gear. Is this all the boat will do? Also, what is a good prop for this boat. He trashed his last prop and does not know what pitch / type to get, and he is more concerned about top end than the holeshot. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
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Slow ZT280 Checkmate
- Thread starter Hoodlum
- Start date
My brother has a 1997 ZT280 with a 385hp, carb 454. He was running a 22 pitch stainless steel prop. At 5100 rpm, he could only get 51 mph speedo with 5 adults and 4 kids or about 1500 lbs of people and gear. Is this all the boat will do? Also, what is a good prop for this boat. He trashed his last prop and does not know what pitch / type to get, and he is more concerned about top end than the holeshot. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
over board
Member
First off the 454 mag carb motor is 350 hp while the 454 mag efi is 385 hp. Just wanted to get that straight.
when my 253 was stock it had a 454 mag efi, I could do about 65 mph with my wife and son on board, I ran a 24 pitch hydromotive quad 4 @ 4800 rpms. Load makes a huge difference in my boat. If your brother runs it alone he will get a much better out come. I do around 75 with 4 people on board now but can get over 80 alone.
If your brother normally runs with that many people then I would suggest a 4 blade prop, this gives better hole shot and higher cruise spd. You lose around 100 to 200 rpms going from a 3 blade to a 4 blade of the same pitch. If top spd is the main concern then I would stick with a 22 mirage. by the way the 4 blade I would suggest is a 20 bravo 1
when my 253 was stock it had a 454 mag efi, I could do about 65 mph with my wife and son on board, I ran a 24 pitch hydromotive quad 4 @ 4800 rpms. Load makes a huge difference in my boat. If your brother runs it alone he will get a much better out come. I do around 75 with 4 people on board now but can get over 80 alone.
If your brother normally runs with that many people then I would suggest a 4 blade prop, this gives better hole shot and higher cruise spd. You lose around 100 to 200 rpms going from a 3 blade to a 4 blade of the same pitch. If top spd is the main concern then I would stick with a 22 mirage. by the way the 4 blade I would suggest is a 20 bravo 1
