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* * Which Engine Would Be Best Fit * *

C

cooter

Well-known member
Just looking for some EXPERIENCED airboat opinion on engines. So here will be the scenario . . .

I have a Guide Service http://www.ducks4u.com and will be looking to buy a new airboat this year. I have the need to carry 3-4 hunters, plus myself, dog and equipment. I will be getting a 18' X 8' Deep Hull. But I am trying to decide the engine that would work best for the Work Horse rig I need.

I will probably be buying the Engine from Felber or Waterthunder, and understand that they are both good friends and not looking for them to be competing, but looking for the best motor that will fit my need and last the longest under the work load that we will be working under. It will not be abused, but will need to run some flat sand bars. No hill running or racing. I am looking at:

Felber - 572 Big Block - built by Felber with the bells and whistles to make the 572 a reliable motor.

Water Thunder - 550HP Industrial Engine - http://waterthunder.com/industrial.aspx

What would be your opinion on which motor to use and why. Or do you have a different suggestion. cooter
 
I would go with the WaterThunder motor either the 550 hp or the 600 hp the 600 hp motor only has 20 lbs less torque than a 572 but it is about 300 lbs lighter so it's not hard to do the math on that one and all the weight you will save over the Big block you can then carry in cargo or passengers and your fuel burn would be about 30 percent less or more over the BBC
 
On a big heavy boat I`d go with felber`s big block. I think they would handle the job a little better.
 
Man I hate to see this! I think either way your gonna end up with a motor that will perform better then expected so which ever choice you make you will be very happy with it's performance and reliability!
 
Waterthunder":1f3tobp6 said:
Man I hate to see this! I think either way your gonna end up with a motor that will perform better then expected so which ever choice you make you will be very happy with it's performance and reliability!
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Thunder, I am really not trying to make this is one better than the other. From all the checking that I have done, both of you are the guys, when it come to airboat engines.

I am just not a mechanic at all, and wanted to know from guys that would know more than me (which could even be Charlie Brown) what opinions there are about the weight versus the other factors. Stupidity is a terrible thing, and being a School Teacher there were no classes about engines. So I don't have a clue. I am just wanting to make the best decision I can for my money. And I think everyone on here knows that you 2 guys are the leaders in the field. Nothing more than that. Just wanting the Max for my $$$$, and to make hte best decision for my business that I will soon retire into. cooter
 
don't count out a potter auotmotive cadillac,but i believe any of these engine builders make a fine product.
 
I am in no way trying to say thunders motor won`t handle the load. But when running a bardge as they are called there`s no replacement for displacement,and that has been said by alot of people on this site.if you were building a 15 foot or under I would say go with thunders ls,more power than you need and the allmost unbelievable wieght savings.But like he said,you will be happy either way you go.
 
From collecting info for over 2 yrs: Sounds like the BIG BLOCK is the way to go. I have seen it said many times that the 14 to 15 ft is the transition zone from small to big block. Face it this is going to be a work hoarse and nothing would be better than a big engine. Without a doubt if you had a 14 ot smaller boat I would go with and LS engine. Over 15 ft I would go with the Big boy. It will not work as hard and will live longer. All three of the mentioned builders seem to build very stronge engines that are very reliable. And they stand behind there products. At this size it's all about CUBES. Good luck, no matter which way you go you will be Okay.
 
All this was true 2 years ago but there is now some LS motors on Big boat's and they are preforming outstanding both in power and reliability and they are swinging the same size prop at exactly the same pitch setting as the big Block but at huge weight savings and fuel settings the LS motor's continue to change the rules in Airboating unless chevy comes up with an all Aluminum big block with a totally different head and valve train design the LS motors will continue to be the performer that can't be beat and same goes for the cadie's they need to go to all Aluminum to compete and stay up to date
 
Yeah, I'm feelin just like Dave on this. We both send people the other's way all the time. I think this is our mantra...We get more business by giving good advice and making people happy than trying to be greedy and sell our product even though a different power system would be a better choice. Word of mouth is the best advertisement, and bad news travels fast.

BTW The torque of my 572s is very different than a GM crate 572. A more fair comparison would be my 496 to the GMPP 572, and it weighs <200# more than a LS. Math is only good if the input is correct.

Felber
 
Sniper":7mmo1p3n said:
All this was true 2 years ago but there is now some LS motors on Big boat's and they are preforming outstanding both in power and reliability and they are swinging the same size prop at exactly the same pitch setting as the big Block but at huge weight savings and fuel settings the LS motor's continue to change the rules in Airboating unless chevy comes up with an all Aluminum big block with a totally different head and valve train design the LS motors will continue to be the performer that can't be beat and same goes for the cadie's they need to go to all Aluminum to compete and stay up to date
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You swing a 82 or 84" SW 4 Blade? Diameter makes WAY more difference than width. Sniper, I know you and Dave are good friends and you run his stuff. But I know as much about the LS as anyone, and I won't even get into big blocks. A big block Chevy is universally considered top of the food chain for HP on gasoline. It may not be the lightest, but it is for a large displacement engine. Making over 1000HP out of a BBC is childs play, and their cylinder head developement is second to none.

What makes the LS magic is the COMBINATION of good parts, light weight, and when put on the right boat, it's probably the best way to harness current hull designs and propeller systems for a smaller boat where the physics are all on it's side. Fuel economy? Best car motor out there. Power to weight. Yupp. But when the bottom line is THRUST and ability to handle heat caused by the abuse of moving a barge and the wall of water in front of it? I think waving the LS banner is something Dave would rather you didn't do, just as I wouldn't want any of my customers sayin my 598 is the best choice for a 13 x 7 2-seater.

Felber
 
I was just going on thing Dave and I have discussed and when I was talking about crate motors not one of yours and the 300lbs thing was from what I was told was an all iron BBC sorry if I wads off on the weight, but I do know that there is some LS motors on 18 ft boats and they are doing well and I also know that you have to spend a lot of extra money on a BBC valve train especially to make it reliable so that brings the price on the BBC a lot higher than the LS, I was just trying to weigh out the pluses and minuses of the two engines and yes there is no replacement for displacement
 
Sniper has become a good friend of mine and he has personally seen how everything he was told stuff like LS motors aren't reliable which is the most ridiculous thing you could say about them, then he was told not to run a gearbox by everyone, then he was told not to run a 2.68 by everyone. I think Sniper has realized how many people comment or have opinions about stuff they have never owned or worked on. Then he also saw me dial in and set up his hull which he didn't buy from me but I wanted his hull to run like it should so my motor would perform better. So as a customer he is very happy with my product and customer service and he tells people who ask about me, which is exactly what he did on this thread. Thanks Sniper I consider you a valued customer and even more a valued friend. I doubt a big block Chevy 100% fully dressed only weighs 630lbs but I could be wrong and can't comment because I haven't weighed one yet but I will weigh the next one I have in the shop! Cooter to be honest you should order the 572 from Mike!
 
im thinkin a guide boat with 4to5 big old texans decoys refresments safety gear couple of labs, 15 to 18 ft long 8 ft wide im going with the big motor 200lb diferance in wt aint nothin, that senario tells me your gonna be beatin on it more than you think, thers no doubt dave can build a ls pakage that can do it , but to come close to what the big block does naturaly the small block will lose some dependability, thats not to say that eiether man can probaly duplicate each others package , the best thing for you is at least youve narrowed it down to two companys that well be honest and stand behind what they do and say
 
well I can say this with no hesitation the Thunder Motors may not fit every ones needs buy his customer service and knowledge of Airboats and how to set them up to go with his engine package is second to none there is no one even close when it comes to Car motors he is in a class of his own
 
I absolutely agree Sniper. Dave has more knowledge than I with airboat setup, and I have more engine knowledge and creating brute thrust which isn't always what it's all about. That's why we share information, and help eachother out. We've been doin it for almost 20 years, and in my opinion why we're acheiving the success and reputation that we are. Two heads are better than one, and why I don't try to tread in Dave's LS territory and he doesn't try to tread on my Big Block territory.

I think Dave is better at changing the boat to fit his engine for a perfect package and I have to change my motors a little more to suit an airboat manufacturers package. As I've said in the past, there's an ass for every seat. and the last thing I wanted out of this thread was for it to pit Dave and I against eachother. We just have to be carefull about what we state as facts when stating as so.

Felber
 
Man, those "DUDES" tell it like it is. Nothing like dealing with a HONEST and relieable person. It just don't get any better than that. When you make the customers happy, you are going at it , the right way. East Coast Central Fl seems to be the Mecca of innovation for car motors and gear boxes.
 
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