Thinking about overhauling my 5.7

[270win]

I'm much more familiar with the Holley 4150 series carbs. The QJs are another story for me. I have heard that they are better for fuel efficiency in cars...not sure about boats. Sounds like that Formula increased fuel economy with the Holley. Cruisingat 3500 on the primaries would give me about a 35mph cruise as well. THAT would be really appealing. We cruise at 3000rpm to stay out of the secondaries on the current motor setup.

I can't wait to get the boat to the shop this winter!

 

[270win]

BTW-
A 390EC is the boat we're going to have eventually. I just sold my 92 Chaparral 28 Signature in July to buy this 90' 220cc. The kids wanted to go faster and tube or ski so it had to go. I've always liked the 390s...

 

[sprink56]

The 390 EC is a great boat. When you start looking seriously...set you sights on a diesel. Most of the 390s with diesels run the Cat 3208 which is bullet proof. These boats are HEAVY and when you get 9~10 tons moving through the water you need BIG TORQUE. Diesel is the only way to do it efficeintly. These boats are marginal with Big Block gassers and will suck your wallet down to the tune of 35~40 gallons an hour in a cruise. The only gasser that even comes close is the Mopar V-10 and even it is a distant second:thumbsup:

 

[270win]

The 390 EC is a great boat. When you start looking seriously...set you sights on a diesel. Most of the 390s with diesels run the Cat 3208 which is bullet proof. These boats are HEAVY and when you get 9~10 tons moving through the water you need BIG TORQUE. Diesel is the only way to do it efficeintly. These boats are marginal with Big Block gassers and will suck your wallet down to the tune of 35~40 gallons an hour in a cruise. The only gasser that even comes close is the Mopar V-10 and even it is a distant second:thumbsup:

35-40 gph? Wow! that's a lot of gas! how much better are the diesels?

 

[sprink56]

35-40 gph? Wow! that's a lot of gas! how much better are the diesels?

About 25GPH in a cruise...24~25 knts. they run taller gears and bigger props. a 3208 has a relatively flat TQ. curve...about 650~700 Ft. Lbs.:thumbsup:

Running on an inland lake for short distances you can justify the gassers because your not going very far very often. In a coastal enviroment or on a major river where you have long distance cruising opportunities...and let's face it, that's what these cruisers are built for.....you will be resistant to go places sometimes just because of the fuel cost with a gasser. Not too long ago we took our 390 (which has Marine Power MPFI 7.4s) from here to Miami round trip...about 200 miles. We went down on the outside and came back via the ICW. We spent $800 in fuel!!! Diesel would have been roughly half of that.

 

[270win]

I think you hit on a good point. Our lake is maybe 20-25 miles long, most of the bigger boats putt around off plane or spend the weekend on the hook in a private cove. When gas prices were bad last summer most of the people on our dock never even left the slip...lots of dock parties...

I'm not sure if diesels would make much sense on the lake.

 

[sprink56]

I think you hit on a good point. Our lake is maybe 20-25 miles long, most of the bigger boats putt around off plane or spend the weekend on the hook in a private cove. When gas prices were bad last summer most of the people on our dock never even left the slip...lots of dock parties...

I'm not sure if diesels would make much sense on the lake.

House Boat:thumbsup:...use as a base to relax and keep what you have to zip around in.

 

[270win]

House Boat:thumbsup:...use as a base to relax and keep what you have to zip around in.

I'm still WAY too young to have a houseboat...although those things have evolved into floating resorts...they just don't have the look of a cruiser.