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The first ever real thrust comparison of a 2.38 vs a 2.68.

Waterthunder

Waterthunder

Well-known member
When Mike finishes his thrust testing sled which is aimed to accurately measure thrust without losing any downward energy! And trust me I know Mike and he will do this better then it has been done before! I will try and talk him into letting me test a 2.38 gearbox with a Power Shift and a Sensenich and then the same test with a 2.68 this way we can compare thrust with both gearboxes and props at the same engine RPM. I think this could put some theories to the test and to rest! I know without a doubt which one works best in a boat but that can be because of snap or torque at the prop so it will be interesting to see which combo produces the most thrust at the same exact engine RPM's! I just drove a 18ft boat with one of my 500HP LS2's and it run’s like a beast with 4 people and full of gear I know the same combo will not run good with a 2.38 or 2to1! Finally somebody is trying to calculate prop efficiency and thrust. I haven’t spoke to Mike about this but I would love to put one of my dynoed motors on there so we will know how much thrust can be developed per ft pound of torque from each gearbox ratio and each prop!
 
I feel like a kid about to be turned loose in the candy store. How much other info can be obtained from the test sled? Will it be able to also measure gallons/hour used. What I am trying to get the answer to is somewhat of a power to weight calculation. Is a mild V8 that might not have to be reved up so high a better set up than a pumped up V6 as far power, thrust, snap, etc. as well as fuel consumption? I know there is no clearly defined winner in all categories combined and boat size has to be considered. But, in a controlled test, I wonder which combo is better overall.
 
Well the heads-up on the thrust tester is that I'm building it as well as one of my 1000HP Turbocharged LS2s for an overseas company. The purpose is to use hard proven dyno numbers and torque curves against thrust curves produced by varying gearboxes, and prop combinations. We will be working hand in hand with Waterthunder as well as Classic testing different combinations and eliminating a lot of the hype/BS.

There are many forms of feedback we will be able to get. Varying from net thrust to gyroscopic forces, and just about anything else, and certainly fuel consumption. We will also do static testing as well as map thrust at different airspeeds.

The current plan is to install the machine at Waterthunders and he can use it to his hearts content with his combinations, while I'm gathering hard dyno numbers on my turbo engine. The main reson for the turbo engine is that I can make it deliver just about any power level I want at any given RPM, and it's sole purpose is to be capable of delivering the torque needed to handle just about any prop/gearbox configuration. I think we're gonna prove why particular combinations work so much better than ones you normally think would be on top, and once the torque curves and thrust curves are overlayed in controlled testing a lot of BS will be eliminated.

To be continued....
Felber
 
That sounds like a great idea. I would love to be there/lend a hand with anything I can do. I love true working tests. The "seat of the pants" dyno has never done anything for me. Real world comparasons are useful for making adjustments and conclusions on what you want to do.
Good Luck
Tim
 
Good stuff!!A good service to the industry.For people to be able to match the right box an prop for what they want to do the first time. Based on hard data. cool 8)
 
sounds like things are fixin to get interesting around here , any idea when these test will be conducted and if they might be open to forum members i for one believe that would keep the bs to a minimum will there be reps from the prop &reduction manufactures present ? people that take the time &effort to improve airboating deserve a hats off & a open mind. thanks felber and thunder.
 
I'm so interested in this project because I know what works on the boats I run and how on some boats it takes different combination's. However I don't know the real numbers or needs for the 16ft and up boats. But to have hard facts and being able to compare dyno proven numbers to proven thrust test number will really open new windows. Also I'm sure these efficiency numbers will change from Mikes extreme HP turbo motors to the average efficiency motor I believe Mikes turbo motors will develop more power then any existing airboat prop can utilize. I think we will find the performance of different props and gearboxs will vary from engine to engine. On the fuel injected motors and Mikes turbo motors we will be able state the fuel consumption per hour at any specific RPM. Mike is the most fact based person I know and I can't wait to work with him on this project. I also know Bud's main concern is harmonics and long term durability. RnD like this is when things are the funnest!
 
Well that can be a tricky situation. I think posting comparisons of one prop manufacturer to another will cause a giant sh!tstorm, similar if not moreso than comparing performance of different engines. I invites a conflict of interest to say the least. So to be perfectly honest, my involvement and stance is to provide the machine to the customer, and use what 411 we gather to better our products. And at this time, that includes Myself (Felber Racing Engines) as well as Waterthunder Performance and Classic airboats, since they have been a great help to me on this project.

The initial machine will be used as much as posible for our own knowledge before it gets shipped out. The customer owns that machine and what data it gathers once it's in their posession. The grand plan is to build another one after and install it at Waterthunders and provide the service of it to people who want to gather their own data, just like a dyno cell (Which will also be on premises) But that will be up to Dave's disgression since at that time, he will be the owner of the machine. I hope I worded that correctly and didn't talk myself into a circle LOL
 
speaking of hats on second thought yall probaly should keep this imfomation under them till well documented besides as a old drag racer and a bussiness man it could be worth a lot
 
I spoke with jay at classic, he gave me the impression that this 1000hp LS-2 motor was going to be his demo boat....
 
Well I don't know what they have in their own skunks works/Engine program. But I can say it's not this engine. I'd be more than happy to work with them for obvious reasons, but I think they already have their own plans.

Felber
 
good stuff......info likes this keeps the industry moving in the right direction. If any of you guys need my flux capacitor, just let me know.
 
Once again Mike your logic prevails. I can see some people stating the information is worthless especially if their favorite brand prop doesn't perform the best. Plus It isn't worth all the hassle to debate everything a hundred times!
 
Thunder, Felber-

Keep up the good work. Too bad other BS can't be put to the thrust test...............

This reminds me of a brown bag item at a wine tasting................
 
Gator I just realized I can run a DB gage with every prop and can compare thrust to sound signature I will post them results!
 
Gonna test them all, and Warp Drives stacked and unstacked the Warp drive does have some good qualities that merit testing!
 
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