How do I get additional Cheap HP??

[MrDumb]

I have a 3.0 liter OMC with a cobra outdrive(1992 model). I have lots of free time till next year and I wanted to know if there are and upgrades that I could make to increase my boats preformance and still be a reliable boat? Keep in mind I really dont want to spend a whole lot of money, but really just like to piddle with my boat. Thanks

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

...stainless prop and electronic ignition (unless you already have that on your 1992...my 1986 doesn't)

 

[LubeDude]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

Air intake (filter) Coast guard issue???<br /><br />And if I may say it, "Synthetic oil" in the lower unit and the engine!<br /><br />LubeDude

 

[Spidybot]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

When you consider cost per HP you'll realize that nothing comes free. Plenty of wonder-gizmos around, but PROVEN effect lacks... and real power-up costs real money.<br /><br />I fyou are not going for a regular hop-up or repower, I'd suggest you help your motor doing it's rated work and be happy with that.<br /><br />Give it a good tune-up (plugs/oil/filters) and fit a hose to the air intake to allow it to run on 'cold' sea-air instead of the pre-heated air in the engine comparment.<br /><br />Be careful when you invest in your motor and outdrive. The overall value may not increase at the same rate you put money into it.

 

[intrepid]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

hmmm cheap<br /><br /> the boat runs better if it's lighter, so <br /><br /> 1. loose weight <br /> 2. Throw out weighty stuff <br /> 3. drill lightening holes **<br /><br /> ** beware that last one , wholes in the wrong place are not helpful

 

[mkast]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

To put it in the vernacular:<br />"Ain't gonna happen."

 

[mojokim]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

Not that it would be cheap, but has anybody ever experimented with extrude honing the manifilds and risers? I know you wouldn't want to remove much material but the smoothing of all the castings and bends might equal some hp gain.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

I can't speak to exhaust but "Back filing" a centrifugal pump will net you maybe 5% greater efficiency. I don't know if that is worth the time risk and effort.

 

[MrDumb]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

UU how would you go about making a air intake from the outside air? Mine is carburated and it seems like that would be diffcult to do, but if you have done it let me ask you this. Do you see dramatic increase in preformance?<br /><br />Also how much if any would you see by going to a Synthetic oil? Other than the fact it would hopefully protect you better.<br /><br />I guess on another note I could quit carrying all of the BEER!!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

Sytnthetics perform better all around! With certain brands you will get better off season protection also! You will get a small Horsepower improvement! Ive helped change several boats over to Synthetics and never had anyone change back! Do it before you do any prop changes as it can be enough of a performance gain to make a difference on the prop you choose!<br /><br />Go to my home page for more information! Ive got in trouble for mentioning brands on the forum, even though it is done all the time!!<br /><br />LubeDude

 

[loadnet]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

No Money Outa Pocket Performance Increase!<br /><br />Remove your windshield and drive close to shore.<br /><br />Between the extra abundance of wind in your face combined with watching the shore line you'll feel like your flying with that thing!<br /><br />Works for me!

 

[P.V.]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

Proper tune-up and a selection of various stainless props!!! OR.... get a boat with a more cubic inches!!!!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

hello<br /> change the decal on the valve cover

 

[rodbolt]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

hello<br /> change the decal on the valve cover

 

[Spidybot]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

Yep, I did make the intake cold on a Volvo 131 (4-cyl) w/ carb. The intake silencer easily fitted a standard ventilation hose (same type you'd use for ventilation in an RV). I fitted the other end to a thru hull fitting with a nice stainless outer part.<br /><br /> DRAMATIC increase? Well, dramatic is what you get by repowering. My hint was a mean to help it work as best it can.<br /><br />No easy tricks, no gizmos, no additives and no wonder-oil will increase performance dramatically.<br /><br />Still, my previous post is as close as you get without spending money on new gear.

 

[timothyl]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

Most automotive performance parts will not hold up to the marine environment. So, rather than risk a safety issue, simply cross-referencing a hotter plug such as "quad-fires" would increase power and fuel economy with no danger. I don't know if I would try running these in a two stroke motor, but can't think of any reason why you couldn't in an omc.<br /> In addition to everything else I drive, I popped a set of quad-fire plugs in my bike and there was a very noticable performance boost. They claim 10-20% hp increase. That can be a huge jump for a boat.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

So, Youre getting a little help! Its true, you are not going to get a huge gain from any one of these posts, But sence you like to tinker with your boat you just might get a 10-15% increase if you make sure everything is top notch and you have it tuned to perfection! You can even bump the timing a little but you will have to use a higher octaine fuel if you do! Keep a VERY close eye on things if you do this as it can cause some unwanted results! Melted pistons and the like! <br /><br />LubeDude

 

[Buttanic]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

Besides boats my other interest is racing stock cars. Believe me there are no easy or cheap ways to noticeably increase horsepower. Claims of 10% to 20% increase just by changing the type of sparkplug is hog wash. Performance increases are measured with dynomoters and stop watches not the seat of your pants. Just like the sugar pill will make a person feel better because the doctor told him it would the same goes for the claim made that putting a magnet around your fuel line will increase performance. The driver will feel it has because he believed it would.<br />Don't get me wrong, there are small things that can be done to increase performance but you will not feel it in the seat of your pants. It only shows up on the dynometer or stop watch<br /><br />Buttanic<br /><br />Buttanic

 

[richmatt]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

I recently rebuilt my 3.8V6 OMC and in the process got some of the pistons and rods missaligned - anyway to cut a long story short I took them to a machine shop to sort them out and he mentioned that putting the notch in the piston to the rear of the engine instead of the front can give as much as 20hp boost (on a V8) at high revs but at the expense of poorer low speed idling. No such thing a free HP but a tempting idea as I already had the engine in bits.

 

[KM2]

Re: How do I get additional Cheap HP??

I don't expect huge gains but would like a few more ponies. I have a VP 4.3 GL (190hp) that's carburated and would like to boost the power a bit. I boat with others who have the same engine with Fuel Injection rated for 220hp.<br />Do any or combination of the items mentioned in this forum going to give me 30 HP? <br />i.e. High performance air filter(arrestor), "hot" plugs, fresh air intake (I'd like to see how that is done) or advancing the timing. (I run 92 octance premium)<br />Does advancing the timing effect durability, idle etc... ?