Re: Best bang for the buck
I had that same engine in my 19 ft 2001 Larson bowrider. If I had kept the boat, I would have put a 4 brl carb, trim tabs, and a higher pitch SS prop.
Stock, I could hit right at 50 MPH per GPS with a light load. If I did the mods, not only would that increase the top speed by a couple of MPH, (53 MPH compared to 50 MPH is a noticeable difference), it would have had more low end tq, and probably a slightly more efficient cruise.
The SS prop would have been for cruising days, then the lower pitch Al. prop for wakeboarding/tubing.
There are a lot of people who say "get a 900 hp race boat if you want to go fast". I don't know why there are so many people opposed to increasing the hp slightly with what you have. The 4.3 is a fantastic engine. As long as you understand that making these changes is going to cost quite a bit of money, and is only going to give you a few MPH top end. But if you need to cover some ground and cruise at 40 MPH, with the above mods, you will do so more efficiently.
I see nothing wrong with it at all. It's your boat, and your money. I personally modify everything I own. I'm getting ready to purchase a boat with a 260 hp Merc. I already know what I need to do to get 300 hp out of it.
Just my opinion,
Steve
