More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

[jaboyer]

I have a 17 foot boat with a 2.3L Ford OMC drive. When trying to ski, the boat does not have quite enough power to pull me out quickly (only 170lbs) so I put on a smaller prop. Now I get out just quick enough but do not have quite enough speed to ski at the speed I like. Can I put a cam in the engine to get more low end torque to put the larger prop back on. I need more power but not sure the best way to achieve it. Thank you for your help.

 

[Hog Wild]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

1. Ventilated prop. (have a shop do it for you). Adds air to the prop. at low RPM to get you into the motor's power curve better.<br />2. Add trim tabs to give the boat a better hole shot. (or can add a hydrofoil to the motor too)<br />You can just add weight to the front of the boat typically can help some too to give it better balance. If the nose of the boat comes up your power gets directed downward instead of outward.<br /><br />I don't think a cam is really much of an option. If you want to talk more power you can certainly get deep into that discussion. You can just simply put in a bigger motor, different intake, exhaust, carb change, the sky is the limit there. Take a look around at the race boats. But honestly you want power for the $ or if you have $ then you probably just want a bigger boat. Also makes a huge difference who's in the boat too, need "light" friends.

 

[Hog Wild]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

Sorry, few more thoughts I wanted to add. a 4 or 5 blade prop. can help more slip too, to get the rpms up at first. <br />Also beware that these additions can hurt you also. Trim tabs are the safest addition as is weight distribution. Loose weight in the back of the boat (the best) and gain it in the nose. I know probably not possible. A hydrofoil is great for hole shot but could affect top end. on my old 65hp motor, the hydrofoil helped always. On my 115hp newer boat it does knock off on the top end but helps lots on the hole shot. <br />oh, and another one to think of is like waxing the bottom of the boat. Less friction.<br />I just really doubt your into digging into your engine for more power? No boat ever has enough power, serious.

 

[jaboyer]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

I currently have a hydrofoil on the boat and it takes off relatively flat, runs great, just does not have enough umph. It has an overhead cam so I thought that it would be relatively easy to install a cam, would I not get enough power from it? How about a bigger carburetor? The boat is light weight and it usually is my wife and two small kids (not much weight) in the boat. I know that it is a small motor, am I asking too much of it? Thanks for your help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

I know that it is a small motor, am I asking too much of it?

Ayah............<br />That's about the Smallest engine Ever put in ahead of an I/O................<br />There's Little or No aftermarket parts available to "Hot Rod" that motor.......<br />A Cam Change would, No Doubt, be Easy on that motor,<br />But, I have Serious Doubts that there's a Hotter Cam available.......<br /><br />Displacement Builds Torque,+ Moves the Boat.....<br />Either Be Happy with what you Have,<br />Or,<br />Trade up to More Horsepower,<br />In another Boat..........

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

OMCBOATER,I doubt if you find a cam,it will add enough HP to make a difference,or enough of one.If you had a big v8,you might add 20 to 30 HP without a HUGE expense but you are starting with 128 HP,and just can't add enough.<br /><br /> Maybe time to sell what you have to someone starting out.Now buy what your first boat taught you.<br /><br />Beware,the next boat may teach you more !<br /><br />DHP

 

[bomar76]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

Secret to more power from this boat:<br />Place ad<br />Sell boat<br />Buy one with more HP<br /><br />That's the only way it's gonna happen

 

[Cheetahjab]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

I know this is reviving a dead thread, but Almost everything said about "Lack" of parts for this engine is totally wrong, between Esslinger, Race Engineering and BoPort, you can get go fast, cams, pistons, and anything else for this engine, I'll be updating this thread in about 6 weeks when my 2.3l build is done.. Likely going to get about 190hp out of her, and still have the weight and fuel savings of the 2.3 PLUS the added benefit of a completely noninterference motor.. So yeah.. stuff to look forward to.. Esslinger Long Rod/Forged Piston set up, factor roller cam conversion, offenhouser intake, 500cfm edelbrok carb, windage tray, ARP everything, esslinger power pulley to underdrive the water pump and alternator (saves both) , and a 17p 4 bladed solas prop, she should be good for dramatic holeshot and upwards of 55mph in a 17ft sunbird.

 

[Don S]

Re: More Power for 2.3 L ford OMC

You need to start your own thread Cheetahjab, perhaps parts availability has changed since 2004 for that engine. Mostly the parts problems are for the OMC accessories, not the internal engine parts.