Waterthunder LS2

[hdsadey]

I'm reluctant to do this but........

So I just acquired a 13' Hamant for my father with what's supposed to be a Waterthunder LS2. Of course the guy couldn't produce paperwork but insured me that it was. Said it dynoed at 518 hp. Skeptical I called Dave at Waterthunder to try and identify the engine. Dave told me they stamp a WTnumber on the driver's side deck at the back of the block. I believe he also stated that some of their early engines might not have this number stamped in. So I checked, no number. Text Dave with my findings which he responded asking for pictures. I sent 6 pics in total. Radio silence since then. Text him a few times even giving the name of the original owner. Still nothing. Tried calling this a.m. no answer voicemail full. Now I don't give 2 shits if it's a Waterthunder engine or not, but I would like to know in case we eventually go to sell the rig, I don't want to mislead a potential buyer with false information. We all know Waterthunder is the leader in LS power plants in the airboat world and there have been reports of people buying a "Waterthunder" engine and getting screwed. Dave even posted years ago about 3 individuals being mislead into buying a Waterthunder coming to find out they were not. Dave also offered anyone to call to verify a potential purchase as one of his. This is what I'm trying to accomplish.

That being said, we bought this particular boat not running. It has been sitting outside for 3+ years. A few cylinders have low compression, I assume I have some stuck rings. The engine at this point has to come apart. Most of you know from here that I work at Venice Auto Marine and have access to all the machine tools at will. Now understand I'm not looking for anything other than info, I was well aware of the condition of the boat and not looking for anyone to assume any responsibility for this non running engine. Here shortly I'm gonna know exactly what's inside this thing. I have my suspicions it's not what I was told. Not familiar with Waterthunder engines other than seeing a few, not paying that much attention. This thing has stock GM head bolts which I thought was odd. Anybody that has a Waterthunder LS2 is there stock head bolts or ARP hardware? We gonna dyno it when I'm done on our Stuska Dyno. Feel free to comment or pm me please. Dave chime in please if you see this, I know your probably busy like we are but a yes or no would suffice.

Thanks Daniel

 

[John Fenner]

Well, all of Dave's units I have seen have ARP studs, the man does not cut corners, only uses brand new blocks, cranks, high performance rods, forged pistons, the list goes on,,,
He is a very busy man so don't feel hurt if you were ghosted.
I was dealing with a repair on Gerald Motes' "new old glory" boat called the screaming eagle, many tried to wrench on it, wrong sensors installed, it would not run correctly,,,, hard start,,, no start,,,, I contacted Dave and he replied with the proper GM part #s for the sensors, took a couple days "busy man!" It lit right off,, back in service.

Sitting for 3 years,, do your magic, tear it down, inspect all and a true overhaul with top quality parts, especially the oil pump, the Achilles heel of these engines.

 

[hdsadey]

Oh yeah it's getting the full Monty! Like I stated I had my suspicions. The guy I bought it from story was a buddy of his who builds boats built him this thing for "cost" cuz he was a "friend". He may have been sold a bill of goods too who knows??? The oddity was stock head bolts. No true performance builder skimps on fasteners. GM garbage is torqued to yield one and done crap, non serviceable. I know Dave has an excellent reputation and I wouldn't think he would cut corners. Got the boat at a hell of a price so not really concerned just wanted a yes or no just for my own satisfaction. I will at this point go with a hard no, thanks Mr. Fenner.

 

[kwanjangnihm]

At bullshit hill, every LS is a Watherthunder & every AC motor was built by Junior!!

Daniel what hull is that?

 

[hdsadey]

13 Hamant or so I was told.

 

[hdsadey]

My father just sold a 12 Predator with a 320 Lycoming. Been after this boat for 2 years. Old man is 75 and I needed something that he couldn't get stuck easy. Guy originally wanted 20k for it but when it wouldn't run we were able to pick it up for 13. Polymer, stainless rigging, Rotator, 3 blade Sensensich, aluminum trailer. Just need to go through the engine.

 

[John Fenner]

At bullshit hill, every LS is a Watherthunder & every AC motor was built by Junior!!

Daniel what hull is that?

Just like every sled for sale is a Davis hull, funny thing is, only once have I had to correct a seller that the hull they had was a Davis hull.

 

[smythts]

Well, all of Dave's units I have seen have ARP studs, the man does not cut corners, only uses brand new blocks, cranks, high performance rods, forged pistons, the list goes on,,,
He is a very busy man so don't feel hurt if you were ghosted.
I was dealing with a repair on Gerald Motes' "new old glory" boat called the screaming eagle, many tried to wrench on it, wrong sensors installed, it would not run correctly,,,, hard start,,, no start,,,, I contacted Dave and he replied with the proper GM part #s for the sensors, took a couple days "busy man!" It lit right off,, back in service.

Sitting for 3 years,, do your magic, tear it down, inspect all and a true overhaul with top quality parts, especially the oil pump, the Achilles heel of these engines.

I owned a water wonder that did not have head studs.

 

[John Fenner]

I owned a water wonder that did not have head studs.

My correction, ARP head Bolts not studs.

 

[smythts]

My correction, ARP head Bolts not studs.

It actually had stock GM head bolts.

 

[CarMotorBarge]

If you have a Dyno number, it most likely isn't a WT motor.

 

[hdsadey]

At this point I'm pretty sure it's not. The guy told me it dynoed at 518 hp. If it's got cast pistons and powdered metal rods they'll be getting changed. It'll also be dynoed on the other side of this. It's still an LS2 so that's a plus just needs a little care.

 

[unforgiven11B]

IF its Daves you'll find the back of the block marked with his serial #.

 

[hdsadey]

When I initially talked to Dave he told me that's where the number was but he also said some of the early motors may not have a serial number. After informing him that I could find no numbers he asked me to send him pictures to maybe help identify it. Sent 6 over text. Complete silence since then. I've texted him a few times and zero response! Is he that busy? Maybe. My feelings wouldn't be hurt if his answer was no. I have a feeling the original owner had words with Dave over this engine because said owner insisted it's a Waterthunder, this is the only explanation I can come up with as to why I never got a response.

 

[John Fenner]

Dave is a very busy man, lots of stuff running through his mind at once, I know the feeling very well, he will get back to you.

 

[hdsadey]

So this is up under the seat. Pulled the engine out, pulled off the heads, cast pistons and powdered rods, stock rocker trunnions, no. 5 cylinder has some pitting, stock GM hardware everywhere. Not too mention when I drained the oil there was 2.5 gallons of very thin oil diluted with aircraft fuel. So going forward forged rods and pistons, trunnion upgrade, ARP hardware. Haven't pulled the cam yet.

 

[hdsadey]

So we dynoed my dad's new LS2 that I just finished rebuilding. Back to basically stock specs with upgraded parts and a Texas Speed camshaft. Upgrades include:
Icon 4032 forged flat top pistons
Eagle forged I-beam rods
ARP main studs, head bolts, and rocker studs
Texas Speed cam 232/234 .600/.600 112 lobe center, installed at 110 degrees
Texas Speed double valve springs
Texas Speed titanium retainers and pushrods
New stainless valves
Smith Bros rocker trunnion upgrade
Melling performance oil pump
Lingenfelter VVT tower block off rivets
New stainless exhaust valve seats

Everything else is as GM built it. 10.5 compression. Stock porting in cylinder heads
GM Performance single plane intake
Holley 750 mechanical secondaries
Dynoed with MSD LS Ignition box with stock coils
Using the LS1 timing tables that max out at 27 degrees
Damn thing made 511 hp @ 6300 and 466 tq @ 4300
Threw on an 830 Pro Systems carb and made 527 hp just for fun.
Unbelievable what this platform is capable of with a cam change.

 

[SWAMPHUNTER45]

Very interesting !

 

[Rick McC.]

That sounds great, Sir! 👍

 

[hdsadey]

I got a video but seems it's too large to upload