C-500 horsepower rating

[boatguy222]

I would like to know how much horsepower you can put behind a c-500 and get it to live. I have a 20' Schiada, and am up grading to a 500ci whipple quad engine, it maybe as much as 1200hp if stepped on.
Anyone run this kinda of hp and keep the v-drive together? or should I go to a split case?
Thanks,
Marc

[schiada96]

BG222 my friend ran about 1000 thru one. He had problems with the thing trying to turn. we made braces to stop that. I say he used to run one until he broke an ear of a prop. It tore the whole bottom of the boat up.

[boatguy222]

96,
I plan on bracing mine to the stringers, like most split case braces are, I guess I'am more interested in if the v-drive it self, is going to be a problem? I have heard that the upper shaft well fail with any thing over about 800hp. ever heard of that happening? or any other problems with them at the hp level that I hope to run?
Thanks

[schiada96]

222 I'm like you are I don't know I wish I was more help. I know those things are expensive to change gears in. Do it a couple of times and you could have a split case.

[boatguy222]

96,
Thats a good point, I have a split case, and I am sure it will do the job, the c-500 is nice and quiet, and I believe I can pull a little taller gears in it (50%) without loosing the water jacket, but the question is will it hold the power, I really only want to do this re rig once if I have to, I was hoping that some one could tell me yes, it will work, or know it won't.
thanks, again for your insite

[schiada96]

I wish they would change the stupid sad smiley face thing

[boatguy222]

ya, it sucks

[VD CRUISER]

A friend of mine had a C-500 in a 21' Connelly with a blown 496 ci motor, don't know the HP but it ran 100 mph and he never had any problems. How about checking with Casale ?

[Dans76Schiada]

I have a C-500 in my Schiada. From expirence I would pull the box apart and check the bearings. Its no fun to be running wide open and have the two bearings on the input shaft lock up. It stopped my motor dead...
Unless you know for sure its in goood shape Id just pull it apart to make sure.

[V-Drive Tom]

BG222
If the gear box feels good and smooth now,Brace it,put good synthic oil in it,it should work fine. BE CERTAIN that the water jacket is clear and flows good.C500 v-drive needs good water flow. Hope you are picking up cold water for it.(not from engine or oil cooler) The split case will work fine but not without a top shaft change.(stock ones are SOFT) http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

[boatguy222]

Tom,
The box is apart now for new seals, bearings, and to do a gear change, I have not bought the gears yet, do you have any? I am looking for something in the 50% range. Also talk alittle about your harden shafts, do or will you make some for the c-500?
Thanks

[spectra75]

Jim Wilkes Marine, in Orange County should be able to get you any parts or advise you need for your project. Great guy!!!
spectra75

[burtandnancy]

222.
While you have the case split, consider installing a water coil under the lower gear and feed it with cold water once thru. It will add years to your v-drive...

[Jetboatguru]

I would just like to say that Jim Wilkes charged me $680 to just install my C500 gears. Seems like a real great guy. He knew we needed the gears put in for the weekend and leaned us!!!!!!!!!!

[boatguy222]

Originally posted by burtandnancy:
222.
While you have the case split, consider installing a water coil under the lower gear and feed it with cold water once thru. It will add years to your v-drive...
Burt,
I have seen the coils that you are talking about. Who makes them? I am also interested in your opinion on the C-500 with big horsepower, is it trouble or not?
Thanks,
Marc

[burtandnancy]

222,
I used to make the V-drive coolers, built about 25 and gave them all away. I don't know who makes them today.
I don't know the upper limit for the split case V-drive, but we ran 850 to 1,000+ for long periods. Even though we kept oil cool, we still did routine bearing replacement as needed...