gr8shot
Seaman
- Joined
- May 30, 2019
- Messages
- 73
Got a great buy on a 99 sea ray with a carbed vortec 305 that has a cracked block. Boat is like new for the age and I'm wanting to swap to a vortec 350 since the 305 needs to go to the scrap yard anyway.
The engine is bolted to an alpha one sterndrive unit which I've read doesn't like anything above 300hp. So I'm wanting to put together a 350 to stay at or under that 300hp mark, and get the most bang for the buck without breaking the bank. So I'm hoping to get some input from you guys. Here's my thoughts at the moment.
I'm planning to start with a vortec truck motor, which can usually be found for around $500 in good condition pretty regularly. First off I have mixed feelings about cracking open the motor just to swap to a SS head gasket when the motor will never see salt water. If totally necessary I will though.
Here's the rest of the questions though. Planning to stay carbed, and likely go to something like an edelbrock performer intake and the 1409 600cfm marine carb. I'm not opposed to swapping out the truck cam for a marine cam. But looking at specs, the marine cam actually has more lift and duration than the truck cam. With the alpha one being my limiting factor at around 300hp, I don't want to go too hot on the motor and just wind up toasting the sterndrive unit.
Basically I'm asking what would you guys recommend engine wise to perform well, not break the bank, and keep my outdrive alive? Are there good proven combinations at the ~280-300hp mark?
The engine is bolted to an alpha one sterndrive unit which I've read doesn't like anything above 300hp. So I'm wanting to put together a 350 to stay at or under that 300hp mark, and get the most bang for the buck without breaking the bank. So I'm hoping to get some input from you guys. Here's my thoughts at the moment.
I'm planning to start with a vortec truck motor, which can usually be found for around $500 in good condition pretty regularly. First off I have mixed feelings about cracking open the motor just to swap to a SS head gasket when the motor will never see salt water. If totally necessary I will though.
Here's the rest of the questions though. Planning to stay carbed, and likely go to something like an edelbrock performer intake and the 1409 600cfm marine carb. I'm not opposed to swapping out the truck cam for a marine cam. But looking at specs, the marine cam actually has more lift and duration than the truck cam. With the alpha one being my limiting factor at around 300hp, I don't want to go too hot on the motor and just wind up toasting the sterndrive unit.
Basically I'm asking what would you guys recommend engine wise to perform well, not break the bank, and keep my outdrive alive? Are there good proven combinations at the ~280-300hp mark?