Hey guys! I have purchased my first airboat and I am really in need of some input and help from all you experts. I bought a 2002 17' x 8' utah style airboat with a 383 stroker engine. I have a 3 blade carbon fiber prop. I bought it knowing that the 383 stroker engine might not be enough engine. What engine do you guys recommend? What is the easiest to swap out? Will I need to swap out the prop too? I am kind of thinking along the lines of a Chevy 454. I have a gear reduction. Will I be able to use that or will I need a new one? thanks for your input.
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Al has got you headed in the right direction. I personally think the prop is too long for that engine to swing it fast enough unless the motor is pushing well in to the 400 HP range. You should try to max out your RPM's at a little over 5000 rpm in order to get the push you need at a varity of ranges. Dial your prop back a bit and try it again ...and let us know what happened.
R
I took it out the other day and the RMP's maxed out at 4800.
Ok .Your swinging a 80 inch prop. You have a 2.38 to 1 gear reduction. It is a stinger gear box. Your at about the 2 1/2 mark on your pitch marks. The big question now is what are your RPM's at full throttle. Everything is set up good for great push. If you are able to get the RPM's for the settings you have I would stay with the motor you have. Remember big blocks weight more than the small blocks. Run your boat and see what it does. You will likely be happy with what you have.
The prop is 40” from center of hub to tip. It is 3 blade
when I say new at this, I am very new. I think the brand of gear reduction is stinger but I will verify and I have no idea how to tell what reduction it is. The previous owner did not say at all. I think I know how to tell what pitch setting it is set to. I will get the brand and size of prop. Thanks
What brand gear reduction and what size prop do you have? What are the RPM's you are currently turning and what is the pitch setting on your prop now also what is the reduction ratio of your box?