bravo 3 I/o mercruiser prop question..

Alexandhisboat

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Joined
Aug 12, 2014
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1
Hey everyone I have a rinker fiesta vee 260 1997 5.7L , I used to have two 22p 3x3 props on a bravo 3 outdrive , at 5000 rpm I do about 33mph, would putting a 26p prop on both be alright ? Im new to this forum, and excuse my vocabulary im asking this question for my father, the owner of the boat, if the above information isnt enough id gladly get it for you ?
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Hey everyone I have a rinker fiesta vee 260 1997 5.7L , I used to have two 22p 3x3 props on a bravo 3 outdrive , at 5000 rpm I do about 33mph, would putting a 26p prop on both be alright ? Im new to this forum, and excuse my vocabulary im asking this question for my father, the owner of the boat, if the above information isnt enough id gladly get it for you ?

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

I happen to have a 1997 Mercruiser owners manual here and the RPM ranges for the 5.7L engine vary from 4200-4600RPM, 4400-4800RPM and 4600-5000RPM depending on the model, EFI vs Carb, MAG etc. The HP according to Mercury is 220, 250, 280 HP. (you need to determine what you have)

If the MAX RPM for that 5.7L engine is 5000 RPM Then you're propped correctly, you could maybe go to 24p props and stay in the recommended range but you would lose some hole-shot. If 26p props take you below the recommended range, you'll be lugging the engine.

Have you checked your RPM with a different TACH? And are you using GPS or other KNOWN speed measuring device? If your speedometer and/or tach is not accurate, you need to fix that before trying different props.


If your above numbers are correct then you should probably try 24p props if you want the RPM lower.

If you want more speed or hole-shot, you need a bigger engine.


Regards,


Rick
 
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