looking for engine advice

[goldhunter_2]

ok the boat I am building right now is a mudboat not airboat (basiclly the same hull expect the engine sets in the bottom with a surface drive unit)

what I need is :
HP
low cost
light weight (want a Aluminumblock and heads) can be stock motor??
fuel economey!!!! probally a two barrel carb for now that maybe I could change later when I can afford the gas

I know The caddys have aluminum block an dhave heard that the new chevy corvettes and a 98 transam had alum 350 block do you have any suggestions or comments for a reasonable engine, I don't have a lot to put into a motor but I need something to get me through duck season

 

[Croc1]

goldhunter I would pm waterthunder he is an active member and a friend who builds awsome LS-1's light as aircraft with up to twice the horsepower and very knowledgable applying them to boats and airboats

 

[Waterthunder]

It sounds like you have a budget that is not with in an aluminum motor. The only aluminum car motor to run is the Chevy LS1 which is exactly what I Specialize in. I build a 450HP, 475HP, 500HP, 550HP and a 625HP version. You can buy a Bran new Chevy Vortec 330HP for what I pay for a core LS1. I have bought over 50 LS1's cores this year alone so I get a deal on them and I still pay more for a core LS1 than I pay for a new 330HP Vortec. So I would recommend the iron head Vortec if you’re on a budget they are a reliable motor at a reasonable price. Then when you want to spend more money go with an LS1 Chevy they are extremely reliable when done right.

 

[Capt Jeff]

Call Len Schwenniker (in-coming DU state chair) @ 407-9575804 or 158*69*8064.

His Louisianna Mudboat is a 18x60 Go-Devil hull powered by a 68hp 2bl Subaru.

Picked up the hull from GD then transported to a place out in LA for the engine.

Boat runs like a "raped ape" in the mid (30) thirties


CJ

 

[Waterthunder]

Mid 30's, thats it I'm raising my prices!

 

[marshmaster pat]

Gold - We used mudboats over in LA and some here in Texas to keep ditches in the marshes open or open them back up after a dry summer causes the vegetation to cover them up.

Chop up the vegetation and wash it out of the ditch so outboards can run all winter.

Are you looking at a Keel Cooler or just a radiator. If you are using the boat to cut and clean ditches, go with the largest radiator you can put in. Think about an electric fan with a thermostat switch as well.

Also depends what style transmission are you putting in.

When (IF) you are cutting you will often be running slow speeds with Higher RPMs (low gear). Just seems that they don't get the air flowing through them and lots of them tend to run hotter than most airboats do. All the mudboats and Mississippi Mudslingers had iron heads and midrange horsepower. Lots of them were turning only about 310 to 330 HP max. I don't claim to know anything about the motor department, but I know one mudboat locally just had a total rebuild and had it built to produce max torque at upper ends of 3000 range.