85 checkmate enforcer sbc repower?

[tdpb2008]

i have a 85 checkmate enforcer 24' and im thinking it has a 260hp mercruiser which from what i believe is 2 bolt main and for the power i want, it will not hold...id like to get it around 70mph so i was looking at this 383 on ebay....
let me know what you guys think.
its cheeper than i can get one built

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[mkhammer]

That is cheap for a 383, I know of this company and you get what you pay for. The warranty is pro-rated over seven years, And a marine engine it will never be their fault.
Mercury gives a one year warranty with their re-man. This companies re-mans a better engine than Mercury new power series engines? I know they do not.
I think you would have to pay to ship it back to them if you had a problem and they could tell you anything they wanted when in their hands. Marketing strategy and Just a way to sell you another engine.

 

[jazzy]

if you really want to go 70 in that boat you need to be right around 500 hp maybe a tad less will get you there but then its time to upgrade to a bravo as well unless you already have one and external steering is a good thing but not absolutely necessary if you really want to go fast the cheapest way is usually to buy a boat that goes as fast as you want to go just my two cents

 

[yellowfiero88]

I don't think it would take 500hp to break into 70. The 330hp BBC's run upper 60's

 

[jazzy]

I don't think it would take 500hp to break into 70. The 330hp BBC's run upper 60's

in a 24 enforcer isnt that the same hull as the early convincors if it is 500 hp is the majic number

 

[jazzy]

i am wrong just looked up pics of the boat it is smaller and probably lighter than the convincers so less hp

 

[winter]

I have a 234 Persuader with 440hp, 502#ft of torque and I'm a tad over 70mph. The enforcers weighed a hundred or two more with a deeper V hull so it will take at least 450-475 to see 70mph. And yeah, a Bravo outdrive would be a good idea at this level. Due to the size of the boat, I'd bite the bullet of go BBC. Torque is going to get that boat up out of the water and on plane despite the heavier mass of the motor.

 

[mkhammer]

You know Winter called it, That's why they put a big block in boats that size for the low end torque. It would cost alot more to convert to a big block so I didn't go there but winter is right.

So I would not build a hand grenade small block to get that boat moving.
If you do the right thing to your small block 350 it will run good. maybe not 70 but you would be pleased with your upgrades I'm sure.

I recommend performance Exhaust, cam, ignition,intake and carb. your heads will support 5000 rpm and make torque. It does not have to be a 2-bolt to run good. What alot of people don't understand is a cam rated to 5000 rpm will pull higher with the above equipment and build torque.
When you build a 383 get a 4-bolt main with forged internals ,heads and a new cam grind. Your Alpha will stay together longer too put some good synthetic in your drive it will help.
all the other stuff will work with the 383 even a 650 Holley.

 

[yellowfiero88]

I didn't think they were that heavy of a boat! I know Robbies outboard seemed very light when we were going down the road and also out on the water(yea I know, OB's are lighter!).

 

[Rob B]

I didn't think they were that heavy of a boat! I know Robbies outboard seemed very light when we were going down the road and also out on the water(yea I know, OB's are lighter!).

My OB Enforcer weighs 2100# without the motor. Probably around 2700# with the motor.