Different engine combos and power

Good info guys.. When I get ready to buy one, I am looking for a more easy to transform over to another big block ford. Where I dont have to do a complete overhaul on everything. Keep it orginal for the better part, and keep it reliable. Just add more bone stock power, from like a 351 versus a 460.. Add maybe a few things here and there, but making the boat do 70 is not in my ballpark. But if as some of you say, I love the 351 Ford PCM. It is a really good and strong motor. If bumping up is too difficult and ingnorant, I will just stick with what I got.

79nautique wrote: horkn wrote: Good luck trying to find a set of manifolds for a FE though. Would you like the link to the web site to buy new polish header style manifolds, DA they have been available for over ten years and counting. damn Pete that's not even the site I was referring too you mean they have more than one option to source who would have known

Glen-L polished aluminum header style logs

Good, they are available then. He still would be better off building up his Windsor.

horkn wrote: Good luck trying to find a set of manifolds for a FE though.

Luck?? 352,390 and 427 manifolds

79nautique wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: horkn wrote: I don't think I have ever seen an FE that's been marinized. And you are the "self proclaimed" Ford expert!! Where were you in the 60's????? We even have CCfan members with FE engines! DA is what I recall, besides isn't the exhaust on the FE the exact same as the 460.

Chris,
I don't feel they use the same manifolds. The FE's were the 352,390 and the 427

8122pbrainard wrote: horkn wrote: I don't think I have ever seen an FE that's been marinized. And you are the "self proclaimed" Ford expert!! Where were you in the 60's????? We even have CCfan members with FE engines!

DA is what I recall, besides isn't the exhaust on the FE the exact same as the 460.

fwiw, you can build up a 351 to a stroked beast if you want.

It would be easier and cheaper to build up the W than put in a different motor.

skicat2001 wrote: I am saving my money for a 390 Ford.. I hope I can find one when I am ready...

I think the exhaust manifolds are different enough that a 302 351w exhaust manifolds won't fit onto a FE. Those FE series motors are a very wide motor. Even if you could find a set of manifolds that will work for a boat, they likely would not fit under the motorbox without a lot of work to modify the box to make it wider.

You would be better off with a 460. Those have been marinized before. I don't think I have ever seen an FE that's been marinized.

Tri state does
http://www.tristatecylinderhead.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=40&osCsid=fc3ca107a4bf0c9235575bbf216a7f47

GT40p's definitely give the boat a boost in power versus the stock 240 hp heads. I had good power with the acme prop with the stock motor, but it goes a lot better with the gt40ps and the different intake on it.

Depends on what you want your engine to do.Ask the rebuilder how much to redo yours. If you go with a quality job,new guides,new springs,maybe replace a few valves,surface them, you might be real close or more than the 598 for gt40p's

so if i am having a rebuild done on my 351W I should not have them rebuild the heads and purchase GT-40P heads to go on it?

Wish I could say it's mine Kap ;)

skyway2k wrote: So does the GT-40 have a different block than the 351W? I thought it was just different top end?

Nope, same block. Different heads, easy swap. GT40P heads are even better than the GT40 heads that came on the boat.

My boat had 240 hp previously, and I put on GT40p heads, and an edelbrock performer intake. It feels like it has more power to me, but I have yet to do a top speed run yet, oratempt a heavy pull of several skiers since the swap.

I put on an acme CNC prop shortly after I got it,and even with 240 hp, it pulled very well. Better than newer nautiques and moombas with over 300 hp.

There were no EFI options for 1990-1993. The TBI version of the 351w (both standard and HO) was available 94-95, the GT40 multiport EFI based on the HO 351w debuted in '95.

The Protec distributorless ignition was introduced in '91 and is known to be somewhat problematic, so be aware that most '91-93 boats (both standard and HO 351w's) will have that. Its about a $500 conversion to go back to a conventional distributor.

As far as the engines themselves go, there were basically 2 flavors- the 240/255hp "standard" version of the 351w, and the "High Output" ProBoss 351w, rated between 285-300hp, which was introduced in 1992. These hulls perform really well with the HO, and can run in the upper 40's (46-48mph) in stock form. Depending on how fast of a hull you have (I have a slow one- they all pop out of the mold slightly different), top speed with the standard motor will be in the low 40's (41-44, generally). The base motor is plenty sufficient for just about any use, save for high speed barefooting (multiple footers, one foots, etc).

Like 87bfn said, its not a hard or overly expensive job to upgrade the base 351w for more power. $1500 in proven parts will upgrade the top end of the motor and make it good for ~320hp, and outrun even the HO boats. I went just a tad beyond that with an exhaust and other upgrades, but now run a reliable 47mph on my slow hulled '90, and there arent many boats that will keep up with it out of the hole.

Like you, I grew up with a few 1990-1993 era boats (namely my dad's red/black '92) and absolutely love the look of the bold stripes, slanted back and pointed nose. I have a tough time picking a favorite CC, but Id have to say that this is the best looking.



I love the yellow/black- my uncle has a '90 in those colors. Post some pics once you pick it up!

No need to change the boat for more power. Plenty of upgrades to be done on the 351W to make more power.