Am I crazy?

[BrendellaJet]

I've always wondered how people KNOW that the Berkeley is a better pump than the Jacuzzi 12WJ. I know all the dragboaters run the more popular berkeley derivatives, but I wonder if this was just the result of the way companies were managed back in the day, maerketing vs no marketing? I know it sounds funny, but with 800 hp my jacuzzi runs pretty hard. Has anyone ever tried both pumps in the same boat with nothing else changing to see what the difference in performance was?
Im entertaining the idea of doing just that. My berk has a shoe/rideplate and a new Heritage A impeller. I need to have the bowl flowed and the impeller detailed at which point both pumps will be in pretty similar condition. Im thinking Ill have that work done to the berk this winter, and then spend next summer getting the most out of the berk that I can.
Then, next winter Ill yank it and throw the jacuzzi in and spend the following summer tweaking the setup. Am I nuts? Im considering adding a little laughing gas too, so tests will be performed with 800-1000hp.

[ruggs]

You are probably right, its all in the marketing. I run a WJ with a bronze impeler and don't seem to have a problem beating up on a Berkley unless they totally out class my engine. keep the faith....ruggs

[GAWnCA]

Wasn't Jacuzzi the first with a jet for boats? I know they've been around doing some sort of water jetting for a LONG time.

[BrendellaJet]

well there are some inherent problems with the WJ, like the restrictive bowl, but thats been addressed on my WJ. I would just like to see some definitive results.

[BlueNun]

I backed out of a good deal on a boat because of what I was told about the Jacuzzi pump. That boat is almost in triple digits and outruns most Berks. anyday. I know back in the day Jacuzzi was a 100+mph pump if done right. I think the parts deal had alot to do with them. People have a hard time getting stuff but it is a good pump if done right if you ask me.

[Josh@JBP]

A lot did have to do with marketing, Jason at NAMJ told me once, that they built thier jets primarily for Ski Boats thats part of the reason for the 5 blade impeller design. The Jacuzzi would often get the Berk out of the hole but the Berk would often get the Jacuzzi on the top end. You can liken that to a two blade propeller compared to a three. At the end of the 70's when they had some really promissing performance prototypes they decided to get out of the small jet industry. They had designed a more aggressive impeller design called the PW that looked much like a Berkeley impeller(still had five blades) and at that time were modifying the current bowl for use with it. They also had a low production number jet called a Pirahna? i believe, that had a very similar front section(suction) as the Golden Eagle YJ, used the same shaft, seal pack, bearing, bearing cap... but used the PX impeller which was basically the PW with a different shaft bore, and a WJ bowl.
*the information above is to the best of my recollection and also from conversations with Jason at NAMJ
Part of the problem, which has already been addressed, with these jets is the lack of aftermarket parts/options available and the scarcity of performance (prototype) parts stilll out there, and not everyone has the tools or know how to make custom parts. A lot of the same principles can be applied, ie shoes, ride plates, custom loaders, adapters for droops....Some times it's just easier to go the alternative and throw rocks at the jacuzzi.
We used the PW Impeller and modified Bowl In one of our latest projects boats and have seen some promising results so far, unfortunatley we havent had any high speed runs yet.
Heres some pix iof the impeller and bowl
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r319/jetboatperformance/josh/DSCF0200.jpg http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r319/jetboatperformance/josh/DSCF0199.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r319/jetboatperformance/josh/DSCF0198.jpg http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r319/jetboatperformance/josh/DSCF0197.jpg

[BrendellaJet]

Josh, thanks for the pix and input.
Here is what I am working with. First pic is of my stainless impeller. It looks slightly different than my aluminum, but I haven't done a side by side as the aluminum is in the pump currently.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/Jacuzzi_Stainless_A.jpg
Aluminum impeller
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/WJ_Imp_fr_finished.jpg
Bowl discharge
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/pump_rear.jpg
Shoe
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/212WJ_intake_shoe_rear.jpg
Loader
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/212WJ_Loader_finished3.jpg
Bowl vanes
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/212WJ_Int_bowl_vanes.jpg

[W.O.T]

The Jacuzzi Pumps sure sound like they benefit with the Berkely conversion kits. Says something about Berk parts and pumps. I think a big part of it is the amount of Berk parts available and hop up options.

[BrendellaJet]

The Jacuzzi Pumps sure sound like they benefit with the Berkely conversion kits. Says something about Berk parts and pumps. I think a big part of it is the amount of Berk parts available and hop up options.
Reportedly the energizer kit is pretty good. Expensive though, and the parts are still stock as cast and need a blueprint for max performance. But those aren't berk parts...No berk parts bolt on. You can change the bolt pattern on the bowl to allow use of a droop, but show me a pump mfg'r who doesn't do that...
Im not trying to turn a jacuzzi into a berk, I want to see if a blueprinted WJ can hold its own against a berk. Jacuzzi's aren't perfect out of the box, Berks aren't either.

[W.O.T]

I know what you mean. I dont know too much about Jacuzzi pumps. But like you said I would like to see one modified as much as some of the other pumps are, and compared.

[BrendellaJet]

I know what you mean. I dont know too much about Jacuzzi pumps. But like you said I would like to see one modified as much as some of the other pumps are, and compared.
Thats what Im thinking.The mods are done, I just need to get the stones to pulla berk out of my boat and install a jacuzzi...:( Seems kinda backward but what if?

[ruggs]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/74Rfinney.jpg

[pw_Tony]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/74Rfinney.jpg
Hmmm Rebel with a Jacuzzi :idea:

[Josh@JBP]

Thats what Im thinking.The mods are done, I just need to get the stones to pulla berk out of my boat and install a jacuzzi...:( Seems kinda backward but what if?
Just leave the intake in and redrill the Berkeley intake for the Jacuzzi pattern, I dont think there would be enuf difference between the Jac intake you posted and a Berk intake (with the same type of loader and shoe) to hurt your test. The opening is aproximatly the same size, same attack angle. I've heared of people redrilling the Berkeley suction to fit on the jacuzzi intake. It would be really easy to swap back if the tests didn't favor the jacuzzi.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r319/jetboatperformance/josh/DSCF0139.jpg

[Cs19]

I see some possible interferences with bolt hole locations on that deal. Might want to mock everything up including the transom adapter before you start drilling holes in the intake and boat.

[BrendellaJet]

Wow, I never would have thought about that. Ill have to check it out. Good idea.

[Josh@JBP]

I see some possible interferences with bolt hole locations on that deal. Might want to mock everything up including the transom adapter before you start drilling holes in the intake and boat.
A couple of berkeley bolt holes may have to be sacrificed for the greater good, a bolt and nut combo will fix that:D

[Mike D..]

Just leave the intake in and redrill the Berkeley intake for the Jacuzzi pattern, I dont think there would be enuf difference between the Jac intake you posted and a Berk intake (with the same type of loader and shoe) to hurt your test. The opening is aproximatly the same size, same attack angle. I've heared of people redrilling the Berkeley suction to fit on the jacuzzi intake. It would be really easy to swap back if the tests didn't favor the jacuzzi.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r319/jetboatperformance/josh/DSCF0139.jpg
My dads boat had berk bolted to jacuzzi intake, dad did not know when he bought boat and he said it ran okay. Someone redrilled holes and it bolted right up. We climbed under and looked and it, it had few steps where they meet. Dad swears for a daycruiser it ran just fine with no ill handeling

[BrendellaJet]

Okay, after thinking about that, while it would save a lot of time and energy, I dont want to mix parts. I want solid reliable results from the comparison so if this happens Ill do the full swap including intake. I dont want people saying the Jacuzzi hauled the mail because it had a berk intake...