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View Full Version : tunnel rams on sterndrives???



pleasantcat
03-15-2002, 09:17 AM
why does nobody run tunnel rams and dual quads on bravo drive boats? you see jet boats runnin them all the time. anyone know????

shockwaveharry
03-15-2002, 09:50 AM
I think it's probably because most stern drives have a hatch and you can't see it. In my case, I traded in my stock Mercruiser 496 MAG HO for a ProCharged 509. If I built the originally planned 540, I'd have run a tunnel ram and had the scoop peeking out the hatch. Maybe it's because I'm a "spoiled jet guy". I heard that term for the first time when I ordered my stern drive boat with the helm on the left side and a foot throttle. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

Infomaniac
03-15-2002, 08:06 PM
You see them on jets because you can see them. They are not the best thing for a jet boat unless it is really spinning the engine. Most do not. But they sure do look cool. They are for serious RPM's only! Most low RPM engines with a tunnel ram would work much better with a dual plane single carb intake.
Lack of big RPM's is the reason for not using them on stern drive boats

boatnam2
03-15-2002, 08:21 PM
exactly

pleasantcat
03-16-2002, 11:58 AM
at speeds over 40 im spinning in the 3500-4000 range so if i put one on ild loose bottom end right? at full out im pulling 6200 rpm at 90plus so i just thought about a little more top side power ya know...i guess sc is my next step.. thnks

Craig
03-16-2002, 02:03 PM
You ought to just concentrate on avoiding those killer shelves. That way you can use the correct hand and learn to drive that new boat faster http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
Craig

pleasantcat
03-16-2002, 02:45 PM
ouch craig that hurts...lol ok i'll go one season then go faster ok... i cant wait to go for a ride in your hotrod http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif i'ld also like a spin in donies daytona. i was wondering who you use for mechanical repair? i was puting my tire back on and noticed my lower unit leaking from deep inside http://free.***boat.net/ubb/frown.gif i read my mercury repair manual and, i dont feel comfortable messing with this..

Craig
03-17-2002, 03:57 AM
No problem with the rides! I should be done mocking everything up for the first tank tomorrow, I have to work today. Then it's the second tanks turn. Donnie uses Bergeron,but he's always busy and it's over in Mesa. He's good though. I've also used Randy at Performance Marine in Glendale. Conveniant and a good shop.
Craig

pleasantcat
03-17-2002, 02:41 PM
thanks craig. i'll give him a call monday.i might as well have that o ring replaced as well as the rest of the drive svcd.now on my jet boat svc was easy. on these do we just drain and fill,check all the bolt tightnes and thats it.. or is there more to it.i've got an oil filter coming monday from baldwin so the engine will be all ready. when i first got it they said it was ready to run but i still lubed all the zirk fittings on the gimbal and the driveshaft joints.the drive is the scary part for me. i'm doing some reading today and i'll probly answer my own questions... good luck on the tanks ( they turned out nice by the way ) talk to ya later...

Craig
03-18-2002, 06:26 AM
Once a year you should have the motor/drive checked for alignment as well. This requires pulling the drive off the transom adaptor. If not you'll end up eating up a coupler one day. Then you have to pull the engine to change it. I chnage my drive fluid about every 20 hours, same as the engine oil. Just look for any small metallic crap which could spell eventual death.
Craig

pleasantcat
03-18-2002, 05:42 PM
thanks craig. i wasnt sure what hour rate to do that stuff. i'm having the drive service done the end of this week so no lake for a couple of weeks http://free.***boat.net/ubb/frown.gif i talked to dan at jet and the guy at performance. dan can get me in faster so i'm going with him. the pricing was the same so it comes down to down time... thanks for the info though it helps...how did tank 1 come out?? hop its comin' along nicely. and the most important....... the cast is off and i'm lovin' it!

Craig
03-18-2002, 06:56 PM
Well, Saturday I hope to get the first tank bolted in for good. All the new wood and modified old wood is ready to glass back in. Before I do that though, I'll cut the other tank out Sunday. That way I can reference the one side when hacking out the other side without going through a sponson http://free.***boat.net/ubb/eek.gif Monday, glass the first one in for good, start prep'ing the other side. Soon.......
Congrat's on the free hand! Keep it that way so you can work that throttle when we meet on the lake http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
Craig
[This message has been edited by Craig (edited March 18, 2002).]

pleasantcat
03-19-2002, 10:32 AM
well craig, i couldn't agree more i should keep this thing out of a cast. lifes more fun with the use of all limbs http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif the pins come out wednesday so i'll be ready then. i hope to have the boat back by then as well. we'll see... sounds like you've got those tanks licked http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif i'll talk to ya later gettn' back to work... s