Horsepower

[BigBoatinOkie]

Without doing any major engine work are there any little tricks to help squeeze out a little more power. I guess you'd call it bolt on horsepower. I have a '84 Merc 228hp Chevy 305 and alpha1 drive. The ol' gal runs pretty good and fires right up everytime and there aren't any problems with it. It's is all stock so I thought the ol' pros might have some suggestions for aftermarket products that might make it run a little better than stock. Carbs, intake manifolds, ignition, stuff like that. Gotta talk about somethin, it's wintertime.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Horsepower

Without doing any major engine work are there any little tricks to help squeeze out a little more power.

Ayuh,... If you've got the2bbl.Carb,...
A new manifold,+ 4bbl. Carb will give you about 20hp....

Other than that,... Nope...

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Horsepower

How about Vortec heads on a 305?.......same improvement as on a 350?

I know they are available..........

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Horsepower

The small bore of the 305 prevents any serous intake valve size.

The most reliable power improvement is to replace that 305 with a Marine 350 long block, from Jasper or any other reputable supplier. But that is a few $$$$$

Then you can try that 4 blade 18 pitch prop again.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Horsepower

forced induction!
i'm so unbelievable sold on turbos.
take a page from smokey yunick's hand book.
listen to everbody then do it your way.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Horsepower

Man I wish I had a 350ci. I'm pretty happy with what I have and she still runs pretty good. So do the vortec heads do well on 305s? I've had friends that used them on 350s in their trucks and were pleased. I do have a 4bbl on it curently. I had seen some carb/intake combos from edelbrock, but didn't know if they would do any good without any internal work. I know in the world of motorcycles, they come from the factory with restricted airflow and exhaust because of epa rules and regs, so it's easy to get more power with few mods. It sounds like boats are made pretty maxed out. Is that true?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Horsepower

Just leave it alone and you will be fine. 'nutcase

 

[lowkee]

Re: Horsepower

You can always go the other route.. lessen the weight of your boat.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Horsepower

Just leave it alone and you will be fine. 'nutcase

Ah come on man, I don't feel like a man unless I talk about how to get more power. Whether or not I actually do anything is a different story.

I do have some wet foam under the deck. Not sure how much is soaked until I tear up the deck. I'd bet there is quite a bit, and I'll lose a few pounds there. Also, when I get my hydrolic trim tabs fixed I'll be able to get out of the hole a little quicker. Plus, if I wasn't pulling a 250 lb skier with a 250 lb spotter and 250 lb driver, it might just feel a little more powerful eh.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Horsepower

Put a bolt on nitros oxide system on it,quick and easy horsepower as long as you don't blow the engine!!!

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Horsepower

Haha. Good call, but i'm not sure how the 25 year old engine would hold up to nitrous.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Horsepower

If it already has the 4 barrel then changing intakes and the carb you will not tell much of a difference if any at all.
I would run it till it dies then buy a new 350 long block...

 

[jtybt]

Re: Horsepower

There's really nothing you can bolt on that will give you enuff power so that you will even feel it.

305's already have small combustion chambers so the vortec won't be that much of a help.

Fiddling with the prop and gettin' your buddies on a diet is your best solution.