500 caddy vs 350

[FloridaQuaker1027]

I am looking for a direct drive boat and was looking for some opions on what the better motor would be

 

[MikeP]

I think you gonna be opening a can of worms

 

[fatboy0054]

WHAT SIZE BOAT !

 

[crowhater]

This is a no brainer for me, go with the 500 Cadillac. You can take a stock 500 and bore it 30 over with 10/1 comprssion. Then pick a good cam, get an edlbrock intake with an edlbrock thunder carb. This cheap and easy build will out perform most small block chevy motors and will only weigh 60 more pounds. If you do not mind spending the money to put a set of worked aluninum heads on that 500 Caddy you will make more power from idle to 3000RPM then any pump gas small block could ever muster. 500 Cadillac motors are all over Ebay and they sell for next to nothing. Without buying the heads you can build the motor I am talking about for 1000.00 and that includes machine work. Make sure you polish the combustion chamber of your heads to get rid of hotspots, go with an HEI distributer, and find the stamped pulleys. The factory cast pully is a heavy turd that should be used for an anchor.

 

[dantheairboatman]

I love this motor the more i learn about it. I hear in stock form they have as much torque as a 540 per rpm.So that makes it the obvious choice.

 

[FloridaQuaker1027]

I am lookin to run a 13FT cotten mouth or similar hull

 

[Root Pass]

13' hull and a carbon fiber prop like a 72" power shift and you can run dry all day long.I don't think you could with a 350.
My DD Cadillac is on a 16' freedomcraft and I can run some dry but I ordered a 13' Diamondback(should be here this week) like a friend of mines' and he can go darn near anywhere he wants.
Your combo should make a good boat.
JMO

 

[bondsman]

if you are willing to live with the ups and downs of a caddy go caddy.but a 350 is much cheaper and more accessible for parts.i prefere a caddy.caddy's are not as cheap and performance parts are coming in to there own but with extra money can be made almost bullet proof.

 

[FloridaQuaker1027]

My budget at this piont is only about 3000 - 3500......But water down in my parts is getting less and less....I was thinking about running a dd just to get started then depending on the power and performance I am getting maybe throw a reduction unit on it once oney becomes more avaliable....I am kinda leaning towards the caddy but if a sbc comes around for the right price i might take it....if anyone knows anyone selling something in my range (in good condition) drop a pm