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View Full Version : Looking for an East Coast Performance Shop



mysharona
01-20-2003, 05:04 PM
Help, the more I read the more I want to find a good shop to help me bump up my Volvo/Penta 5.0. Any recommendations for an East coast shop willing to work with a small budget(1-2k). Closer to Raleigh NC is better, but I would haul it a couple hours for a good shop, thanks for any replies ( same post on Gear Heads)

sleekcraft76
01-20-2003, 06:39 PM
what lake bo you boat on ? :p

travis hathaway
01-20-2003, 06:53 PM
Sleekcraft76--I thought you would reply to this. Did you get your title signed? "Lake Anna, When will you get here."

mysharona
01-20-2003, 07:06 PM
I'm a R
aleigh ite, I've spent time on Jordan and a little at Falls, but most of the summer I'm at Kerr on Little Nutbush Creek

DaveA
01-20-2003, 09:25 PM
Mysharona,
(can't get that blasted tune outta my head now...)
What kind of 5.0 you got- Ford? GM? I'd guess Ford being a Volvo drive. What do you want to accomplish? What kind of hull and dry weight you dealing with?
There's a boat performance specialist here in the Lake Norman area. Stump's used him to assist in building his Mandella's BBC. Ed 'Bo' Wedge has a biz called Performance Engines in Cornelius NC just off Lake Norman. He's the supercharger/ProCharger/WhippleCharger installed on Baja etc. type of shop because it pays the bills, but he's old school boat performance. If Stump's on here, he can give you his take on the guy either here or via PM. He used to work for Dean Moon and other 'Golden Era of Hot Rodding and Boating' types out in the LA area.
BTW, welcome to the forum! We need all the NC types we can get. :D
DaveA

mysharona
01-21-2003, 04:23 AM
DaveA, Glad you got the name,I'm sure my kid will never quite understand
Yep It's a Ford 302 with 500cfm Holley 2bbl, rated at 190hp. It sits in a shallow V 20ft Regal Bowrider( 19-20dg rise at the stern, 1995).
Total wet weight is around 3200lbs, currently I can push 54mph(GPS) with full tank and me and a fat buddy, that turning 5400rpm with 19p prop(15"or 15 1/2, i forget?)and no I don't do that very often!!
Clearly I need to re-prop, and I would like to bump up the motor, It's been suggested my heads don't flow enought to bother with a 4bbl, so will new rockers help?, can I rework the carb, some folks say MSD will by me some power.......
I've got a couple of bucks and limited skills. I'm an old school bolt on bolt off kind of guy, when I saw all the caveats for installing bigger rockers, I decided to write a check instead.
My problem is finding some one that knows how and is willing to take the job, I'm looking to keep enough hole shot to pull my 200lbs onto the wake board, and break 60mph on the top end, I'd settle for 57+, and keep the RPM's in range

DansBlown73Nordic
01-21-2003, 05:56 AM
I would go with a new four barrel manifold,carb and a cam change. The other thing that will be a big problem is exhaust. Im not sure if anyone makes an after market exhaust.You could add thru hull that would flow a little better.
I have a 20 ft Century bowrider with a 302 Ford with a OMC electric shift. I had to rebuild the motor three years ago (sat in a garage for 18 years) I wish I had done a 351 instead of the 302.

blown daytona
01-21-2003, 10:28 AM
You will definetely need to do some headers or better flowing manifolds, if you go the way Dan recommends. I dont know who makes any :confused: , but you can check with Drew Marine (he advertises in hot boat) He is the man who knows fords. He helped me out when I built my 460 on a previous boat a few years back. :)

mysharona
01-21-2003, 03:26 PM
Thanks guys, I'm getting good idea's to think about, but what about some shops to take my money, DaveA, I will follow up on "Bo Wedge", any one have any other shops I should check out??

stump
01-21-2003, 04:14 PM
Bo is the man.Hands down if you want a engine and more HP he's the guy full machine shop, and a bad ass dyno in it's own building.His number is 704-892-6132.people from all over the east coast come to him.Heck of a nice guy and knows his stuff.Call and talk to him and ask his recomendations for what you are trying to achieve.

mysharona
01-21-2003, 04:36 PM
Thanks Folks, I emailed the fountain shop in Greenville, a week ago and got nothing back, I'm guessing if its less than 5 figures they don't play.
I will call call Bo this week, maybe this will give me and the family a good excuse to check out Lake Norman

DaveA
01-21-2003, 09:28 PM
mysharona:
DaveA, Glad you got the name,I'm sure my kid will never quite understand
Yep It's a Ford 302 with 500cfm Holley 2bbl, rated at 190hp. It sits in a shallow V 20ft Regal Bowrider( 19-20dg rise at the stern, 1995).
Total wet weight is around 3200lbs, currently I can push 54mph(GPS) with full tank and me and a fat buddy, that turning 5400rpm with 19p prop(15"or 15 1/2, i forget?)and no I don't do that very often!!
Clearly I need to re-prop, and I would like to bump up the motor, It's been suggested my heads don't flow enought to bother with a 4bbl, so will new rockers help?, can I rework the carb, some folks say MSD will by me some power.......
I've got a couple of bucks and limited skills. I'm an old school bolt on bolt off kind of guy, when I saw all the caveats for installing bigger rockers, I decided to write a check instead.
My problem is finding some one that knows how and is willing to take the job, I'm looking to keep enough hole shot to pull my 200lbs onto the wake board, and break 60mph on the top end, I'd settle for 57+, and keep the RPM's in range Man, for a boat that size with a 302, it flies! I've got a 19'6" Celebrity vee hull at about 3200# with a 350 ZZ3 that will barely run 50 with an alum 14x21 and stock exhaust. Guess I need to throw that combination out to the boards and see what suggestions I get back...
I agree w/Stump- get ahold of Bo and spend some quality phone time with him. You might mention that you 'talked' to Stump and remind Bo of the Mandella v-drive he's got.
I wuz wondering (and mind you, I'm not up on the small block Fords like I used to be) if you snooped around up there in Wake Co. and vicinity you'd find a 351 or two laying around for next to nothing. These things can be made into veritable stump-pullers (sorry Stump) by stroking them to 400+ cid. Don't know about the cost, but if you have the wherewithall to scrounge you'd be surprised what you could put together for a reasonable amount. There's alot of late model sportsman type stuff in this part of the country that may be compatible, too, like heads/cranks/manifolds etc, but again, it's been awhile since I messed with that brand of stuff.

mysharona
01-22-2003, 04:54 AM
Ya, I've been a little hesitant to mess with the motor,cus It just feels like more than the spec'd 190hp. I can pull 49+ with 4 in the boat, and I've never had trouble pulling skiers with a full boat. I know the stainless prop makes a huge impact
IF I spend more than 2k including prop, it means my wife will make me live on it and I can't fit a porta potty anywhere I like.
??? will the 302 accessories fit the 351; alternator, water pump, starter...
Thanks

DaveA
01-22-2003, 08:40 AM
mysharona:
Ya, I've been a little hesitant to mess with the motor,cus It just feels like more than the spec'd 190hp. I can pull 49+ with 4 in the boat, and I've never had trouble pulling skiers with a full boat. I know the stainless prop makes a huge impact
Yea this is what I was wondering about. The ZZ3 350 Chev I've got typically dynos at 342hp, and with the Quadrajet and factory exhaust, I'm sure there's room for improvement. Esp. installing a stainless prop in place of the aluminum one that's not been bent and straightened a dozen times- I'm sure that would help too!
IF I spend more than 2k including prop, it means my wife will make me live on it and I can't fit a porta potty anywhere I like.
I've got the same problem- ever seen a Raysoncraft flatbottom?? That's my long-term project. Tough to get out of the weather, and the pup tent out on the deck tends to get unstable when it gets windy at night. And that's just sitting on the trailer out in the woods! At least I can go potty out there...
??? will the 302 accessories fit the 351; alternator, water pump, starter...
Thanks
I think so- the 351 Windsor block I think takes the same accessories- just the firing order is different- so that may affect rotating assemblies being swappable.
This would be a good question for the Ford Windsor Small Block forum-you'll be surprised at what you'll find out about that engine family- lots of flexibility!
That blasted song is back in my head again...
Ford Small Block Forum (http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/119417?it=14)

mysharona
01-22-2003, 02:55 PM
So i talked to a well respected local engine builder who's says he does marine, and wants me to work over the heads and go 4bbl and single plane intake,,,
I call Bo who says leave that poor little 302 alone.. He says cutting the heads will kill the bottom end torque, he likes the 351W, Ford SVO offers a 360hp/350ftlb motor for 5.4k.
arrrgggggg, I think I'm coming to grips with saving for another year and shooting for the 351W
But I gotta ask if 190hp and the right prop gets me 54+ mph, what the heck will I do with 350hp???

DaveA
01-22-2003, 04:09 PM
mysharona:
<SNIP> arrrgggggg, I think I'm coming to grips with saving for another year and shooting for the 351W
But I gotta ask if 190hp and the right prop gets me 54+ mph, what the heck will I do with 350hp???
You'll freakin' fly. And surprise all those 100 mph Bajas out there.

stump
01-22-2003, 04:11 PM
Might not make much differance,if the hull design wont allow it you arnt gonna go that much faster,also can the outdrive you have now handle the extra torque?190 to 350 is a big jump ,stuff starts breaking the more ya stress it.Just something to consider.Knowing Bo personally i highly recommend his advice he's one of those guy's thats forgotten more than most will ever know about making horsepower.The guy knows his shit ,so to speak. Anything can be done ,but is it worth it.

mysharona
01-22-2003, 05:03 PM
Stump; Bo was very patient and I understnd why he is suggeting the 351, and to your point i don't think I can use that much power.
I believe my Cobra SX drive is good to approx 290hp, I would be happy with 230.
My Regal hull is pretty stable and lifted nice at 54+mph.
I'd giggle like a fiend if I could hit 60.
I'm struggling to find a solution inside this little 302
DaveA, I just hit the Windsor site you sent, maybe I'll hit something that makes sense.

turboz28
02-05-2003, 09:38 AM
i think the 302 would be a great motor for your boat, so why change it. i think that you should just rebuild with slightly above stock specs. you can easily get 250-300 horsies from a 302.and head porting doesnt ruin the power down low. it just increases the ability for the head to flow better. and that equals more power (as long as its done the right way). its too bad that i am in mass or i could help you out a little cause i have a few 302's and 351's in my brothers shop for sale. if you want to, give him a call.
zigouras speed & marine
508-583-5133
866-773-7654 (toll free)
:D

RiverGirl
02-05-2003, 09:58 AM
Jones Marine Inc. in Salsbury NC.
704.639.1298

Barry1784
02-16-2003, 01:42 PM
JMI 704-639-1298 he did me right!!! http://ourworld.cs.com/Barry1784/myhomepage/auto.html