Not that strong.
-
Philgconnors
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sun May 31, 2020 10:58 pm
- Contact:
Not that strong.
I’m hoping you fellas can help me figure out if something is going on with my motor. I bought this boat from my uncle who purchased the boat new in 1999, it’s a 226. It has the 454 MPI that was replaced in 2005. Boat has 320 hours, engine probably has 100. Took 5 adults out on it yesterday and the boat struggled hard to get going to plane out. When pulling a skier I had to load everybody up front and just couldn’t get enough speed quick enough to get them out of the water. I am hearing an intermittent knocking noise by the starboard side corsa exhaust. I talked to my uncle and he said top speed at sea level was around 72 MPH with only the driver and not much fuel running 26p props. I took the boat to the ozarks last weekend and could only get 58 MPH trimmed up on a glass lake. I just changed the plugs, all oils, and fuel filter a couple weeks ago and new exhaust manifolds gaskets and impeller. Not sure what to think but I feel like my old 19 foot stingray with a carburetor 4.3 V6 had a lot more pull out of the water even loaded with the same people.
- akorcovelos
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2981
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:07 pm
- Location: Antioch, IL
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
Bravo 1 or 3? If B1 check the prop hub. Did he confirm the boat would run 70+ after the new engine was installed? Why did it need a repower to begin with?
1996 252 Whipple tuned 454 Magnum MPI, 496 exhaust, Corsa Captains Call, B3 w/Simrek drive shower.
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
-
Holy Smokes
- Captain

- Posts: 383
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2018 2:16 pm
- Location: KS
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
What RPM's were you running? The knocking sound from the exhaust is likely just an internal flapper. 72mph tells me it's likely a Bravo 1. B3's top out well below that speed.
2005 Cobalt 360, 496Mag HO's with Bravo 3X drives
LOTO - Lake of the Ozarks
LOTO - Lake of the Ozarks
- Big Block Power
- Fleet Admiral

- Posts: 17930
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 8:05 pm
- Location: Neenah,Wi
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
A 26p won't get that thing on plane if it wanted to. 72 sorry but thats a crazy number. Can't be gps. Yes check the flapper and what rpms are you pulling at wot? 63ish would be my thought at max mph.
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
- akorcovelos
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2981
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:07 pm
- Location: Antioch, IL
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
Depends if it’s a 454 MPI or a 454 MAG MPI. 454 MAG should put a 22’ boat into the 70s.Big Block Power wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:48 pm A 26p won't get that thing on plane if it wanted to. 72 sorry but thats a crazy number. Can't be gps. Yes check the flapper and what rpms are you pulling at wot? 63ish would be my thought at max mph.
Probably right on being a B1, though there are a few B3s running low 70s.
1996 252 Whipple tuned 454 Magnum MPI, 496 exhaust, Corsa Captains Call, B3 w/Simrek drive shower.
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
- Big Block Power
- Fleet Admiral

- Posts: 17930
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 8:05 pm
- Location: Neenah,Wi
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
You guys are crazyakorcovelos wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:57 pmDepends if it’s a 454 MPI or a 454 MAG MPI. 454 MAG should put a 22’ boat into the 70s.Big Block Power wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:48 pm A 26p won't get that thing on plane if it wanted to. 72 sorry but thats a crazy number. Can't be gps. Yes check the flapper and what rpms are you pulling at wot? 63ish would be my thought at max mph.
Probably right on being a B1, though there are a few B3s running low 70s.
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
- akorcovelos
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2981
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:07 pm
- Location: Antioch, IL
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
Same engine pushes my 25’ boat to 60, why is it hard to believe it would push a 22’ boat to 70?Big Block Power wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:19 pmYou guys are crazyakorcovelos wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:57 pmDepends if it’s a 454 MPI or a 454 MAG MPI. 454 MAG should put a 22’ boat into the 70s.Big Block Power wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:48 pm A 26p won't get that thing on plane if it wanted to. 72 sorry but thats a crazy number. Can't be gps. Yes check the flapper and what rpms are you pulling at wot? 63ish would be my thought at max mph.
Probably right on being a B1, though there are a few B3s running low 70s.![]()
1996 252 Whipple tuned 454 Magnum MPI, 496 exhaust, Corsa Captains Call, B3 w/Simrek drive shower.
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
- Big Block Power
- Fleet Admiral

- Posts: 17930
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 8:05 pm
- Location: Neenah,Wi
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
430hp out of mine and I can't get 60. I think 70s a Stretch. I have seen these boats with that power never get close to that. But hey it's your story and I'm ok with it. Just kidding. I'm bored and need to stir something up. Let's put a alpha 3 on it and see what it does.akorcovelos wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:22 pmSame engine pushes my 25’ boat to 60, why is it hard to believe it would push a 22’ boat to 70?Big Block Power wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:19 pmYou guys are crazyakorcovelos wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:57 pm
Depends if it’s a 454 MPI or a 454 MAG MPI. 454 MAG should put a 22’ boat into the 70s.
Probably right on being a B1, though there are a few B3s running low 70s.![]()
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
- akorcovelos
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2981
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:07 pm
- Location: Antioch, IL
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
Don’t forget, 430 Volvo HP is only like 250 Merc HP!Big Block Power wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:24 pm430hp out of mine and I can't get 60. I think 70s a Stretch. I have seen these boats with that power never get close to that. But hey it's your story and I'm ok with it. Just kidding. I'm bored and need to stir something up. Let's put a alpha 3 on it and see what it does.akorcovelos wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:22 pmSame engine pushes my 25’ boat to 60, why is it hard to believe it would push a 22’ boat to 70?
1996 252 Whipple tuned 454 Magnum MPI, 496 exhaust, Corsa Captains Call, B3 w/Simrek drive shower.
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
-
Philgconnors
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sun May 31, 2020 10:58 pm
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
It’s bravo 3. 454 mag mpi. He had a new engine as the old one was not winterized properly and cracked the block. He said he had it at 63mph at Mile high altitude. I can only get about 50-53 at altitude. I don’t really care about top speed much, I just want more power out of the hole.
Re: Not that strong.
I have to agree with Big Block
26 is way to much prop for a stock 454 Mpi on a heavy boat
You should probably be running a 21
Also my 430hp gets 56 in a 252 spinning a 24 4 blade
26 is way to much prop for a stock 454 Mpi on a heavy boat
You should probably be running a 21
Also my 430hp gets 56 in a 252 spinning a 24 4 blade
- Big Block Power
- Fleet Admiral

- Posts: 17930
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 8:05 pm
- Location: Neenah,Wi
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
I tell you my Cobalt 200 came from Colorado and I think it had 26 on it also. Not sure how they spun those at high altitude. That boat was a slug here at sea level. I was going to drop to a 24 but I sold it first. I still hit the proper rpms but it just wasn't strong as you put it. Get a pair of 24s and go from there. Not sure 22s will work might be too low. I hate merc b3 props to begin with.
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
-
Philgconnors
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sun May 31, 2020 10:58 pm
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
Well I live in Colorado (land of no lakes) and I want better performance out of the hole. I’m thinking I’ll talk with the prop doctor in town and see what he thinks. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks fellas!
- akorcovelos
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2981
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:07 pm
- Location: Antioch, IL
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
I’m running 24p B3 props and they seem perfect.Philgconnors wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:42 pm Well I live in Colorado (land of no lakes) and I want better performance out of the hole. I’m thinking I’ll talk with the prop doctor in town and see what he thinks. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks fellas!
1996 252 Whipple tuned 454 Magnum MPI, 496 exhaust, Corsa Captains Call, B3 w/Simrek drive shower.
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
- Big Block Power
- Fleet Admiral

- Posts: 17930
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 8:05 pm
- Location: Neenah,Wi
- Contact:
Re: Not that strong.
On a b3 hill marine makes a good 4x3 prop set up. Or 4x4 set up. They were terrible on my Volvo and would never recommend them. But on a B3 they work.
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Semrush [Bot] and 16 guests
