383 with Alpha 1

[MBAKER]

How well will an Alpha one Gen2 1.47 ratio, hold up behind a mild 383? Wont be anything special just basically stock rebuild 383, nothing high performance. HP wise and rpm wont be much different than a 350, but will have a decent amount more low end torque.

Im replacing a 305 with a 350 and considering a slightly lower compression 383. Thinking I could run slightly less compression for crappy fuel, but still get a decent amount of low end grunt out of it.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 383 with Alpha 1

All depends how much self-control you have over your right hand.
If you can resist the urge to drop the hammer when you're starting off, should last a while...

 

[MBAKER]

Re: 383 with Alpha 1

We do a lot of tubing and skiing, and do a fair amount of reasonably hard acceleration. Given that, maybe its better to stick with the 350 then, just to be safe.

I always see ratings for the A1 listed at 300HP, but its actualy torque that would kill it correct? A prop that has a good grip with 400# engine TQ off idle is gonna be harder on it than a slightly slipping prop, or less engine TQ.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 383 with Alpha 1

Alpha Gen II good up to 300 HP . . . if it were a heavy boat, would not be as good as a Bravo, and may have a shorter lifespan. It is not until you get up in the 454 engines that the torque might be too much.

I guess torque rating might be a corporate secret, because it does not seem to be listed anywhere.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: 383 with Alpha 1

We do a lot of tubing and skiing, and do a fair amount of reasonably hard acceleration. Given that, maybe its better to stick with the 350 then, just to be safe.

Seems to me that is your overall best option and you can always slightly tweak with prop pitch if you find a need to.

Though it MAY be ok, just think if you go to that expense and trouble just to find you break a drive or two for what may not amount to all that much difference where it counts.

Mark

 

[greg82255]

Re: 383 with Alpha 1

For what it's worth, I built a ~400 HP 383 (see my signature) last winter and used it for a full season in front of a 1986 gen-1 alpha without any problems. Towed skiers and tubes, and spun that drive up to 5200 rpm at 64 mph for miles at a time. I use a drive shower and run amsoil full synthetic gear lube just to keep it safe. With a newer gen II and less powerful 383 than mine, you should be fine, just don't hammer it out of the hole.