More Power!!

[supertech1979]

Anyone have any ideas for how to get some added horsepower out of a 4.3 mercrusier carb engine?, maybe cold air intake?,throttle body spacers?. Don't know much about it and wanted some input.
Thanks,
Nathan

 

[Don S]

Re: More Power!!

More Money, More Cubic inches, More money. You could also try the more money route. More engine, different drive.
OR, live with what you got for now, and find the boat you want. BUY IT, sell the old one.

 

[fabrimacator21]

Re: More Power!!

Never heard of a cold air intake on a boat and as far as I know throttle body spacers are for throttle bodies (fuel injection).

Do you already have vortec heads?

 

[45Auto]

Re: More Power!!

How much are you hoping to gain from it? New Vortec heads, 4 barrel carb if you don't already have one, etc, will maybe gain you 30-40 HP. Figure it takes about 10 HP per MPH to make your boat faster. How much is 3 or 4 MPH worth to you?

As Don says, in most cases you will be way ahead to sell your boat and buy a boat that performs the way you want it to in the first place.

You CAN hotrod your boat for more performance, couple of people on this board have had some very impressive results. It isn't cheap and they put some serious time into it. But the tone of your post (cold air intake, throttle body spacers) doesn't imply a real strong background in engine modifications. You'd probably be WAY ahead getting the boat you want instead of trying to band-aid the one you have.

 

[mkast]

Re: More Power!!

You'd probably be WAY ahead getting the boat you want instead of trying to band-aid the one you have.

Normally I'd agree with you, but, this forum needs more individuals to go through this waste of time and money so they can tell their story (Richard Simmons) about how in the final analysis, it wasn't worth it.
Wait long enough, someone will tell you that you need a small block stroker and a new sterndrive, only $10.000 plus. "But, I love this boat!"

 

[ryendube]

Re: More Power!!

they are all right, bolt on stuff is waste of money. unless your motor is out the door leave it. when time comes to replace it then look into motor upgrade options.


oh and they do have spacers for carbs as well. waste of cash.

 

[gadget73]

Re: More Power!!

If you have a 2bbl carb, a 4bbl will help, but anything you do is going to be big money for possibly minimal results. I've had better luck playing with props to help performance than messing with the motor. Its usually cheaper and a whole lot easier.

 

[fabrimacator21]

Re: More Power!!

You know what... I'm not sure vortecs for the 4.3 are a good way to go. The vortec s10's only gained 5hp over the non vortecs. That could have been the cam choice gm went with but you might want to look into it.

I know that 4.3 vortecs can be had with very little mileage on them for 200 bucks of ebay.