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Engine builder

T

Trapper510

Active member
I am about to repower a 16x8 panther boat
Gonna change gearbox prop and all
I am in Alaska
What are your thoughts on Steve Schmidt vs Water Thunder engines
Thanks
 
I'm not a car motor guy, but if I were I think I would rather have a guy with proven success with air boat engines than a a guy with proven success with race engines.
 
Go with Dave / Waterthunder. Airboats are not race cars, and you never want to worry about water on your setup.
 
Steve Schmidt does warranty motors for airboats that he builds he has pictures on his website for who he has built for I would assume waterthunder also warranties motors Prestige Motorsports in North Carolina also builds motors for airboats they just built a 632 for some people in Louisiana not too long ago look them up on YouTube
 
"The best warranty is the one you never need to use.....SWAMP"

You cannot forget MAS either when talking car motor builders.

GTO has been aligned with MAS for years.

WaterThunder, Branch and MAS have been in the game a long time and have proven reputations for engines that stay together and make good power on airboats.

I met a guy 4-5 years ago up in a little spot around Levy County. He had a WaterThunder engine that was beyond bad ass. Talked with him a bit and learned he was affiliated with a NASCAR Cup Team. That should tell you something right their. I got with Dave and he verified it and if I recall the conversation there was some very special head work that was done to that engine.

Wish you the best in your search for a quality build, may you get years of trouble free rides!
 
we used shane lejeune down here in south la. alot of the seismograph contractors use him for their builds. we have 2 engines from him and they are reliable work horses. both BBC one 540 and one 468 (stockish but with upgrades to live in an airboat). haven't had any troubles other than normal maintenance and incidentals. both run 2-1 belt reductions on 3 blade composite props.

firm believer in you get what you pay for in the engine world especially marine engines. if interested, i can pm you his number (currently works in orange tx). great guy and stands by his work and has been building airboat engines for a good while. let me know.
 
Thanks for the info
I think I have decided to go with Steve Schmidt
One of his 423 SB engines
Gave me a good quote and delivery time
 
https://www.steveschmidtracing.com/racing-engines/airboat-engines/423-commando-elite

Trapper have you decided on a gearbox / prop combo for the new engine?
 
Big boat for a small block

If it ran decent with your prior set up then this will be a solid gain in performance.

A 2.55 ratio may work well with that prop too.

I have run a 4 blade(82) JX and it pushed very well.

You will find it sort of gives a snappy push when it spools up as compared to a steady gain. You will like it!
 
I had considered a bbc but have decided to stay with a sbc
Everything but dry running was acceptable with the low power set up.
Lots of depth fast water where we run
 
I am in Eagle River, AK and repowering my 18’ Alaska Airboat this winter myself. Currently running a NAPA crate 350. My guess running about 230 hp and replacing with MAS Performance 383 @ 500. Figure it still won’t run dry but should do fine on Big Su, Deshka and Yentna.
 
Over the years Trapper510 the experience learned on this site generally finds the 15ft boat length as a objective point to using the small block platform. Once you get to the 16ft and then add a lot of weight or in the ice boat community a cabin, the consensus has been a big block with gear and wide blades is the proven power combination.

This said there are some very successful LS power combinations but even the LS king (Dave) at "WaterThunder" had recommended going BB after the heavy 16ft mark.

If you have been fairly content with the current small block and your new engine offers more power and is properly matched to your prop and gear then you will clearly get more than what you had. The gain will not be proportional but, it will be a solid noticeable gain. That new 3 blade prop is going to work to your benefit and if you crunch the numbers on the gear ratio you will see a big boost in the boats ability. As long as you don't need to travel over ground for great distance and avoid traps like sticky green or dry mud your probably going to be very pleased.

The power combination is very capable it will just have to work harder in difficult environments.

Those JX blades push your going to have a big smile on your face when they are spinning up !
 
My previous engine was nowhere near the power of this new one. I am probably going to be increasing the power by 300hp. Plus going to 3blade JX.
We mainly run the rivers around here. Big Su, Talkeetna and Chulitna, and Deska.
Not looking for a bulldozer just better power and reliability.
 
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