FormulaZR
New member
I've posted some about my boat over the years...but never really the progression in one place.
So...several years ago I had a '71 Horizon 18' v-hull jet boat with a 468 Olds. It was my first boat, it was cheap, and it was lake ready. That was all I needed to know. It was also relatively fast considering the power...but after a few years the Olds developed very milky oil and blew 2 freeze plugs. No cracks in the block, gaskets, etc could be found...but I didn't trust the Olds after that. It gained 2 qts in the pan after only running for 15 minutes. So I swapped it to an LS1. I had mixed results with this. The 435 hp 346 ci LS1 pushed the boat a little faster...but the combination of a bow tank plus very light aluminum engine didn't help.
With the BBO:
...and then the LS1 installed:
Well, the Horizon was a good running boat. But, with the Jacuzzi jet, bow tank, and some other issues...I knew it would take a fair amount of cash to make it into what I wanted. Plus...I learned that the little boat would be you to death on rough water. Like...I needed a kidney belt. The problem was, at the time I worked wind farm construction - so time off was limited, plus I was ALWAYS in a windy area. So...I set out to find a better riding jet boat.
At the time, there was a "For Sale" ad here from Dave @ Liberator for a new hull. I had always loved cats, and figured a 21' might be just the ticket. So I called him. At the time, I was about 5 hours from the Metroplex - so Dave invited me up to take a look at the boats, and to go for a ride in one. Then we talked price. He had a great price on the new 21' hull...but the cost to buy it and finish it was out of my budget. Then he said he had a used '95 for sale. It was a trade, and he thought I might be interested in it. He sent me a few pics - and it appeared to be a good looking boat. But, my GF and I decided to go look at them anyway. We showed up, shot the breeze, talked about the boats, and then I saw the used boat. The pictures had lied. It was actually a very good looking boat - and the price was right. A couple days later I bought it. Additionally - as mentioned earlier, I wanted a boat that would handle rough water better. Dave told me that the 21' Liberator was probably one of the best riding, best rough water boats under about 24'. I remember he told me it would ride like a Cadillac. Then he took me for a ride on one. I was sold almost immediately. I love being able to boat in water that sends many boats headed for coves and trailers. This boat has even been on Lake Erie - I launched in Toledo, OH and made it halfway to Detroit, MI before I turned around. How's that for a 21' jet?
Here is the boat with the 454 BBC:
At the time, it was powered by a "recently rebuilt" (by the guy who traded it) 454 BBC. It was a mostly stock type marine engine, and was rated at around 330 hp. The boat ran fine, but handled rough water very well. It would run about 62 mph @ 5000 rpm with an aluminum B impeller. It wasn't fast enough for me...but that quickly solved itself. With about 10 hours on the boat since I bought it, the BBC threw a rod through the pan. Not sure why...but it did. I called Dave, we talked, he made it "right" (this isn't relevant to the story...but I want to make it clear that Dave @ Liberator is a good guy and not someone you need to steer clear of). Anyway - back to the regularly scheduled programming...The BBC biting the dust just made it necessary to put more power in the boat - and need vs want is always easier to justify.
Less than a year before I bought the boat, my 9 second '99 Formula Firebird burned. That wasn't good...but the 383 LS1 survived the fire. Seemed like a perfect fit. I had already done an LS swap in a boat, so that helped. I thought about putting the 346 LS1 in the boat (when I sold the Horizon, I kept the LS1); but a fully forged 550 hp 383 seemed like a better plan than a stock short block 435 hp 346. So...into the boat the 383 went. The BBC blew in the middle of the boating season, so in the interest of time, I put the LS1 in as a carbed engine. That saved me the time of finding an ECU, harness, intake, throttle body, injectors, and fuel pump. Plus it saved me the time of getting a high pressure fuel system installed, all the wiring done, and tuning. It was almost a direct swap. I had to change the front motor plate, exhaust, cooling system, MSD 6010 LS controller, and PTO adapter. Easy stuff, huh?
Also - shortly after getting the boat running with the LS1, I decided to rebuild the pump. Wow! What a terrible looking impeller I had! I actually won an award for the worst impeller. To be honest, I know when I tore it up. It was THE day I got the LS1 running. I backed it into a pond to test all the water connections...and didn't know it had a gravel bottom. Oops. I took this as an opportunity to upgrade to an SS impeller as I was under the impression 6000 rpm and 550 hp was on the ragged edge of being safe with aluminum. It also got an Ultimate wear ring, new loader, new shoe, bowl with grease-able rear bearing, and revised ride plate at this point. The tighter pump drug my RPM down a little...but overall the boat was faster, so another success!
I put the boat together and used a Performer intake manifold. Speed went from 62 mph @ 5000 rpm with the BBC to 71 mph @ 5800 rpm with the LS1. Shortly after that, swapped from the Performer to a Super Victor intake. Another success! Speed rose to 73 mph @ 6000 rpm.
Here's the boat with the carbed 383 LS1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReayA7lM5gE
Everything was great...but I just couldn't leave well enough alone. Three "issues" I was having needed to be solved. The first, the boat wouldn't idle well until it was warm. Getting it to idle cold resulted in a poor idle when warm. That irritated me. Second, if you made a WOT pass and closed the throttle, it would die - which also irritated me. Third, I had a stumble when accelerating. I'm sure it something that going through the carb would've fixed...but I'm a carb idiot... Then inspiration struck. The boat probably wouldn't do that with EFI, right? I figured I'd lose some peak power...but that was ok to get a boat that drove a little better. Then, after some more thinking I realized I still had the tune from the Formula available. So...I set out to acquire EFI parts. Part of search included finding the same parts that my Formula had, so the tuning would be easier...so I bought a Fast 90 intake and throttle body, GM "0411" PCM, harness, and 46lb/hr injectors - plus a Magnafuel pump, filters, and miscellaneous fuel line and fittings. Then work on the swap began. I went so far as to put an SES (service engine soon) light on the dash of the boat and OBD2 port under the dash. I also got into contact with the guy who tuned by car so we could fine tune the boat. The tuner, Patrick Guerra, is a very accomplished and knowledgeable tuner in the LS world...which I need, considering I could tear up an anvil with a rubber mallet.
With the EFI swap completed, testing and tuning began. For the longest time, I was fighting an issue with the engine not revving past 4800 rpm. Quite disheartening since it was running 6000 rpm with the carb. I tried a couple tunes that didn't solve the problem before I started looking to the engine. Luckily, a burned plug wire on #7 cylinder wound up being the culprit, and the only issue. What a difference all 8 cylinders made! The last tune I tried before the winter had the boat up to 5750 rpm, but I still was going lean at WOT. Hopefully the new tune will solve that...but I haven't got to try it on the water yet. Never-the-less, with the 5750 rpm tune (and a pump rebuild, loader, shoe, and ride plate angle change) the boat is now running 81 mph. I also added Gibson mufflers...so I couldn't say how those have helped, hurt, or did nothing to the performance. The boat is a little harder to tune because I am not running O2 sensors. I also am not running a MAF sensor.
Success? Well...it's not the fastest boat out there - but an 82 mph boat that starts, idles, accelerates, and run WOT well definitely makes me happy!
Some pics with EFI (the rubber flappers have been replaced with stainless flappers from CP and look MUCH better):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvH9fXqKsm0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwiq91DSfZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7rrRZoels
The future: time will tell...but for the time being I'm "done" with my boat as far as performance goes. I feel like I have the best hardware setup now. I'd love a faster boat, but to go much faster I'd be looking at a lot more power. If I was shooting for higher speeds, I'd be looking to break the triple digit mark...which would require 950+ hp. That's possible with an LS, but to make it reliable would be pretty costly. I know lots of folks have 1000+ LSx engines in drag cars...but I don't know I'd want them in a boat I keep the throttle buried for several minutes at a time. I am very confident in the reliability of the current 383. I have been thinking about swapping a Bravo XR into my boat (well, actually having Dave do it). At that point I'd have the speed with my current engine. Also thought about selling my boat and getting a 21' Liberator with a 300xs. But I don't know if I'm an outboard guy...I typically like to keep 2 strokes limited to lawn trimming equipment. I've also been talking to Dave about an open bow 21' Liberator for a little more seating area. So...I guess the bottom line is the future is up in the air and I have no idea which direction to shoot now; but I'm confident it will include something built by Dave.
So...several years ago I had a '71 Horizon 18' v-hull jet boat with a 468 Olds. It was my first boat, it was cheap, and it was lake ready. That was all I needed to know. It was also relatively fast considering the power...but after a few years the Olds developed very milky oil and blew 2 freeze plugs. No cracks in the block, gaskets, etc could be found...but I didn't trust the Olds after that. It gained 2 qts in the pan after only running for 15 minutes. So I swapped it to an LS1. I had mixed results with this. The 435 hp 346 ci LS1 pushed the boat a little faster...but the combination of a bow tank plus very light aluminum engine didn't help.
With the BBO:
...and then the LS1 installed:
Well, the Horizon was a good running boat. But, with the Jacuzzi jet, bow tank, and some other issues...I knew it would take a fair amount of cash to make it into what I wanted. Plus...I learned that the little boat would be you to death on rough water. Like...I needed a kidney belt. The problem was, at the time I worked wind farm construction - so time off was limited, plus I was ALWAYS in a windy area. So...I set out to find a better riding jet boat.
At the time, there was a "For Sale" ad here from Dave @ Liberator for a new hull. I had always loved cats, and figured a 21' might be just the ticket. So I called him. At the time, I was about 5 hours from the Metroplex - so Dave invited me up to take a look at the boats, and to go for a ride in one. Then we talked price. He had a great price on the new 21' hull...but the cost to buy it and finish it was out of my budget. Then he said he had a used '95 for sale. It was a trade, and he thought I might be interested in it. He sent me a few pics - and it appeared to be a good looking boat. But, my GF and I decided to go look at them anyway. We showed up, shot the breeze, talked about the boats, and then I saw the used boat. The pictures had lied. It was actually a very good looking boat - and the price was right. A couple days later I bought it. Additionally - as mentioned earlier, I wanted a boat that would handle rough water better. Dave told me that the 21' Liberator was probably one of the best riding, best rough water boats under about 24'. I remember he told me it would ride like a Cadillac. Then he took me for a ride on one. I was sold almost immediately. I love being able to boat in water that sends many boats headed for coves and trailers. This boat has even been on Lake Erie - I launched in Toledo, OH and made it halfway to Detroit, MI before I turned around. How's that for a 21' jet?
Here is the boat with the 454 BBC:
At the time, it was powered by a "recently rebuilt" (by the guy who traded it) 454 BBC. It was a mostly stock type marine engine, and was rated at around 330 hp. The boat ran fine, but handled rough water very well. It would run about 62 mph @ 5000 rpm with an aluminum B impeller. It wasn't fast enough for me...but that quickly solved itself. With about 10 hours on the boat since I bought it, the BBC threw a rod through the pan. Not sure why...but it did. I called Dave, we talked, he made it "right" (this isn't relevant to the story...but I want to make it clear that Dave @ Liberator is a good guy and not someone you need to steer clear of). Anyway - back to the regularly scheduled programming...The BBC biting the dust just made it necessary to put more power in the boat - and need vs want is always easier to justify.
Less than a year before I bought the boat, my 9 second '99 Formula Firebird burned. That wasn't good...but the 383 LS1 survived the fire. Seemed like a perfect fit. I had already done an LS swap in a boat, so that helped. I thought about putting the 346 LS1 in the boat (when I sold the Horizon, I kept the LS1); but a fully forged 550 hp 383 seemed like a better plan than a stock short block 435 hp 346. So...into the boat the 383 went. The BBC blew in the middle of the boating season, so in the interest of time, I put the LS1 in as a carbed engine. That saved me the time of finding an ECU, harness, intake, throttle body, injectors, and fuel pump. Plus it saved me the time of getting a high pressure fuel system installed, all the wiring done, and tuning. It was almost a direct swap. I had to change the front motor plate, exhaust, cooling system, MSD 6010 LS controller, and PTO adapter. Easy stuff, huh?
Also - shortly after getting the boat running with the LS1, I decided to rebuild the pump. Wow! What a terrible looking impeller I had! I actually won an award for the worst impeller. To be honest, I know when I tore it up. It was THE day I got the LS1 running. I backed it into a pond to test all the water connections...and didn't know it had a gravel bottom. Oops. I took this as an opportunity to upgrade to an SS impeller as I was under the impression 6000 rpm and 550 hp was on the ragged edge of being safe with aluminum. It also got an Ultimate wear ring, new loader, new shoe, bowl with grease-able rear bearing, and revised ride plate at this point. The tighter pump drug my RPM down a little...but overall the boat was faster, so another success!
I put the boat together and used a Performer intake manifold. Speed went from 62 mph @ 5000 rpm with the BBC to 71 mph @ 5800 rpm with the LS1. Shortly after that, swapped from the Performer to a Super Victor intake. Another success! Speed rose to 73 mph @ 6000 rpm.
Here's the boat with the carbed 383 LS1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReayA7lM5gE
Everything was great...but I just couldn't leave well enough alone. Three "issues" I was having needed to be solved. The first, the boat wouldn't idle well until it was warm. Getting it to idle cold resulted in a poor idle when warm. That irritated me. Second, if you made a WOT pass and closed the throttle, it would die - which also irritated me. Third, I had a stumble when accelerating. I'm sure it something that going through the carb would've fixed...but I'm a carb idiot... Then inspiration struck. The boat probably wouldn't do that with EFI, right? I figured I'd lose some peak power...but that was ok to get a boat that drove a little better. Then, after some more thinking I realized I still had the tune from the Formula available. So...I set out to acquire EFI parts. Part of search included finding the same parts that my Formula had, so the tuning would be easier...so I bought a Fast 90 intake and throttle body, GM "0411" PCM, harness, and 46lb/hr injectors - plus a Magnafuel pump, filters, and miscellaneous fuel line and fittings. Then work on the swap began. I went so far as to put an SES (service engine soon) light on the dash of the boat and OBD2 port under the dash. I also got into contact with the guy who tuned by car so we could fine tune the boat. The tuner, Patrick Guerra, is a very accomplished and knowledgeable tuner in the LS world...which I need, considering I could tear up an anvil with a rubber mallet.
With the EFI swap completed, testing and tuning began. For the longest time, I was fighting an issue with the engine not revving past 4800 rpm. Quite disheartening since it was running 6000 rpm with the carb. I tried a couple tunes that didn't solve the problem before I started looking to the engine. Luckily, a burned plug wire on #7 cylinder wound up being the culprit, and the only issue. What a difference all 8 cylinders made! The last tune I tried before the winter had the boat up to 5750 rpm, but I still was going lean at WOT. Hopefully the new tune will solve that...but I haven't got to try it on the water yet. Never-the-less, with the 5750 rpm tune (and a pump rebuild, loader, shoe, and ride plate angle change) the boat is now running 81 mph. I also added Gibson mufflers...so I couldn't say how those have helped, hurt, or did nothing to the performance. The boat is a little harder to tune because I am not running O2 sensors. I also am not running a MAF sensor.
Success? Well...it's not the fastest boat out there - but an 82 mph boat that starts, idles, accelerates, and run WOT well definitely makes me happy!
Some pics with EFI (the rubber flappers have been replaced with stainless flappers from CP and look MUCH better):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvH9fXqKsm0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwiq91DSfZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7rrRZoels
The future: time will tell...but for the time being I'm "done" with my boat as far as performance goes. I feel like I have the best hardware setup now. I'd love a faster boat, but to go much faster I'd be looking at a lot more power. If I was shooting for higher speeds, I'd be looking to break the triple digit mark...which would require 950+ hp. That's possible with an LS, but to make it reliable would be pretty costly. I know lots of folks have 1000+ LSx engines in drag cars...but I don't know I'd want them in a boat I keep the throttle buried for several minutes at a time. I am very confident in the reliability of the current 383. I have been thinking about swapping a Bravo XR into my boat (well, actually having Dave do it). At that point I'd have the speed with my current engine. Also thought about selling my boat and getting a 21' Liberator with a 300xs. But I don't know if I'm an outboard guy...I typically like to keep 2 strokes limited to lawn trimming equipment. I've also been talking to Dave about an open bow 21' Liberator for a little more seating area. So...I guess the bottom line is the future is up in the air and I have no idea which direction to shoot now; but I'm confident it will include something built by Dave.
