• If you log in, the ads disappear in the forum and gallery. If you need help logging in or getting registered, send request to: webmaster@southernairboat.com

Mast 550HP LS Engine....

B

Black Diamond Run

Well-known member
Hello - I've only recently contracted this fever called "Airboating". All indications are that it's a pretty bad case. In any case, it looks like I'm in good company - all the folks I've met so far have been solid gold.

I'm considering building (actually designing and having built) a 14' Deckover..... with what seems to be, according to my research, the wave of the future. (The Mast Motorsports 550HP EFI LS) Can anyone speak to the experience of this engine? Longevity - Reliability - Performance - Performance with my particular application?

I can see there is a lot of expert resource and experience on this Forum so I sure appreciate your points of view.

Thanks - BDR
 
Welcome to our merry club and you picked a great combo, even though my boat has another vendor's LS, I did drive the same GTO hull that I have with a MAST motor it ran very nice. Call GTO and talk with Keith (muffled500) I am sure he can tell you who bought the boat and more details. Have fun and happy hunting :D
 
Welcome to SA. Sounds like you are setting your sights pretty high. Have fun and go easy when you first get it, it will take a while to learn to stay out of trouble. Bud
 
Welcome to SA. I'm building a LS boat too(not mast, but Waterthunder powered). My advise is to talk with the engine builders themselves. Get a feel for them and their reputation. Be sure to take into consideration whether or not it is ready to run. The only things I'm going to need to buy to get my motor running are a fuel pump and plumbing, radiator and plumbing, and breather. All the small stuff can add up quick. Sounds like you have a decent budget to work with so you should be able to come out with a nice package.

Best of luck finding more info on the Mast motor. If you really have your heart set on a LS i highly recommend talking to Dave at Waterthunder. I don't think there is anyone that knows the LS for airboat applications better than him JMO. Like I said I don't know much about the MAST LS, Could be a great motor too. Be sure to let us know what you find out.
 
My friend has a Waterthunder motor and by the way that thing runs and the customer service he provides I wound have to recommend Dave if you are interested in the LS. He is currently in the process of taking it off his current hull and is going to put it on performance airboat 14 foot full deck after seeing one that Al built for another customer. In my opinion if I was looking for that combo those are the guys I would contact for sure. Once complete it would be a boat that would last a life time. Both good products by guys that stand behind there work. By no means the cheapest set up, but you get what you pay for.
 
HuntingBigun said:
Welcome to our merry club and you picked a great combo, even though my boat has another vendor's LS, I did drive the same GTO hull that I have with a MAST motor it ran very nice. Call GTO and talk with Keith (muffled500) I am sure he can tell you who bought the boat and more details. Have fun and happy hunting :D
Click to expand...
GTO handles MAS, not MAST. MAS engines come from Ellsworth Wisconsin. FYI... MAS engines rock :bounce:
 
Mast builds a great engine. Their engine management system is just great. They are at a premium price but well worth the money. If I could have any engine that would be it. And yes I have run two mast powered boats.
 
Gto handles all the engine lines mas mast Waterthunder etc how do you think I got my engine



540 mountain motor said:
HuntingBigun said:
Welcome to our merry club and you picked a great combo, even though my boat has another vendor's LS, I did drive the same GTO hull that I have with a MAST motor it ran very nice. Call GTO and talk with Keith (muffled500) I am sure he can tell you who bought the boat and more details. Have fun and happy hunting :D
Click to expand...
GTO handles MAS, not MAST. MAS engines come from Ellsworth Wisconsin. FYI... MAS engines rock :bounce:
Click to expand...
 
Great stuff! As I figured, you guys are all over this...

On performance: I'm more interested in ability to run dry and up the hill than blinding speed.

With that said, we're looking at the 2.52:1 C4 belt drive turning a 80" 4 blade R series prop. Based on y'alls experience, "will this thing run the hill"?!

Now, I'm working with guys that are obviously experts in thier craft, so I have every confidence that I'll end up with a top quality product. I just value input from you guys that are out there running these things every weekend as well.

On warranty: Have y'all heard of any experiences with these engine builders' support. What I seem to be hearing is that the damn things are so good that it's not something that's an issue real often. Just wondering if they stand behind em as it appears they do?

Again, Thanks for the input!
 
Black Diamond Run said:
Great stuff! As I figured, you guys are all over this...

On performance: I'm more interested in ability to run dry and up the hill than blinding speed.

With that said, we're looking at the 2.52:1 C4 belt drive turning a 80" 4 blade R series prop. Based on y'alls experience, "will this thing run the hill"?!

Now, I'm working with guys that are obviously experts in thier craft, so I have every confidence that I'll end up with a top quality product. I just value input from you guys that are out there running these things every weekend as well.

On warranty: Have y'all heard of any experiences with these engine builders' support. What I seem to be hearing is that the damn things are so good that it's not something that's an issue real often. Just wondering if they stand behind em as it appears they do?

Again, Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...
call pather airboats and ask for sam we sell an ls3 450 hp and a lsa supercharged 550hp two bullet proof engines they come with warranties. the lsa is one of the most amazing enginge i have ever come across. ls3 is another one. tell them danny told u to call 321-632-1722
 
I have a buddy in Ohio that has a MAST motor on his Search & Rescue boat and he loves it
I have a WaterThunder motor on my Rescue boat and I have had Zero truble except for finding the time to run it if you live inFlorida, I would look at the WaterThunder motor real close because Dave is in Florida as well and his customer service is second to none and the care and thought that goes into his motors is the best but either way these LS motors are in a class of there own to any other car motor and you will be very happy with the performance you gety out of it
 
well here is my opinion. i have ridden with lots of thunders motors and plenty of mas. they are both fine engines.either one would be nice to own. now for my thinking points. 1- never heard a bad word about either motors except petty squabbles of dislike for the builder or manufacturer. 2- both companies now how to set up a boat to compliment the engine. both companies have great customer service but have actually have heard from owners that waterthunder will bring a part to you even at the worst hours.now for me what i find interesting is waterthunder can build the same amount of power with less cubic inches. that tells me he has put a lot of r&d in his motor not that mas hasnt. but like i said they are both nice. i am not a cheerleader for waterthunder just what i have seen and heard.but Keith is a jam up guy as well.
 
Black Diamond Run said:
Great stuff! As I figured, you guys are all over this...

On performance: I'm more interested in ability to run dry and up the hill than blinding speed.

With that said, we're looking at the 2.52:1 C4 belt drive turning a 80" 4 blade R series prop. Based on y'alls experience, "will this thing run the hill"?!

Now, I'm working with guys that are obviously experts in thier craft, so I have every confidence that I'll end up with a top quality product. I just value input from you guys that are out there running these things every weekend as well.

On warranty: Have y'all heard of any experiences with these engine builders' support. What I seem to be hearing is that the damn things are so good that it's not something that's an issue real often. Just wondering if they stand behind em as it appears they do?

Again, Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...

I like to keep the weight down so why run the heavy belt drive which can put a lot of pressure on the crank, the LS has a different thrust bearing so gearbox is lighter and easier on the crank. I can tell you Waterthunder stands beside his product 110% I am sure so will MAST, so many choices that Supercharged engine that Panther has is pur bad to the bone give them a call. The best thing I can tell you is talk to everyone of the LS engine dealers and you will find small things that will help you pick the one YOU want. when I first got my LS from Waterthunder in 2008 he was the main guy now you have lots of choice. My own personal thoughts are Waterthunder Dave has been great.
 
Fuel injected ls go with the Thunder or call GTO and get the 427 MAS older style SBC.
My choice with my money MAS 427. Can't beat the power and torque of them. JMO

The most important thing is your spending the money out front either way. Instead of buy three or more junk motors and dealing with the head ache of changing them.
 
Don't go with the belt drive way to heavy and takes up too much room call Dan at stinger and get a 2.68 soft drive lighter, smaller, and will last longer.
 
red_neck191218 said:
Don't go with the belt drive way to heavy and takes up too much room call Dan at stinger and get a 2.68 soft drive lighter, smaller, and will last longer.
Click to expand...

X2

The weight isn't the issue for me, it's the reliability of a stinger vs a belt drive. Plus if anything happen Dan will stand behind his product 110%. Good company and a good guy. You used to have to worry about more noise with gear drives, but with the introduction of soft drives it's not even a talked about issue anymore. In my eyes a gearbox is better than a belt in so many ways and a stinger is the best box you can buy hands down.
 
BigJakesrq said:
red_neck191218 said:
Don't go with the belt drive way to heavy and takes up too much room call Dan at stinger and get a 2.68 soft drive lighter, smaller, and will last longer.
Click to expand...

X2

The weight isn't the issue for me, it's the reliability of a stinger vs a belt drive. Plus if anything happen Dan will stand behind his product 110%. Good company and a good guy. You used to have to worry about more noise with gear drives, but with the introduction of soft drives it's not even a talked about issue anymore. In my eyes a gearbox is better than a belt in so many ways and a stinger is the best box you can buy hands down.
Click to expand...
I would recomend a rotator from panther they are rated for 1000hp and cant beat the reliability quality!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top