anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

[thompy]

toying with the idea of installing a supercharged Buick 3800 [240hp]into my banshee. its now an outboard, but i can get the i/o off my brothers boat. but its only the 2 to 1 ratio, the big challenge is building an exhaust.
will build the logs and use snails through the transom, and install a block in between for the o2 sensor, have found a manufacture for the motor to bell-housing adaptor
so what do you think

 

[achris]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

Have a look at this thread.... He's done a superb job.... And here in Australia.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=369819

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

Far better off swapping a 4.3 Chev into it. Your wallet and your sanity will thank you....

 

[thompy]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

i thought about the 4.3, but the 3800 seems to be a better quality build motor, some of the 4.3 rods wouldnt interchange from the 2 plants that were building them at the same time
thanks for the link

 

[Kainon]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

I'd be concerned about the additional weight of the engine and outdrive from the outboard.

If that were my boat I'd be thinking about a Rotary Marine Engine !!!

http://www.atkinsrotarymarine.com/

I'm no boat builder expert, but I know basically that, that style boat, concerns of Balance "really" need to be paid attention too.

A rotary with a drive would about the same weight of the outboard, BUT any sterndrive you put in will shift the weight forward.

Do you have weight in the front you can move aft like Battery/FUel tank ?

 

[Kainon]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

Not sure about the Turbo on the engine, but You'd definately have to add an oil cooler, and would probably want a closed cooling system to keep the engine temp in the 180-195 range instead of 140-160 else you'll be in open mode I think. (which, if you do run salt water, you wont risk ruining the block)

Theres a Marine FI COmpany i've seen on the net that has done a bunch with auto/marine FI kits.

 

[thompy]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

With an automotive supercharger? NO!!!

Bubba would you explain all the differences of a automotive blower VS a marine blower

 

[thompy]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

I'd be concerned about the additional weight of the engine and outdrive from the outboard.

If that were my boat I'd be thinking about a Rotary Marine Engine !!!

http://www.atkinsrotarymarine.com/

I'm no boat builder expert, but I know basically that, that style boat, concerns of Balance "really" need to be paid attention too.

A rotary with a drive would about the same weight of the outboard, BUT any sterndrive you put in will shift the weight forward.

Do you have weight in the front you can move aft like Battery/FUel tank ?

well i know they run twin outboards on these, and also bb chevys with a jet, one of my issues with this hull is my trim has little effect on the hulls ride, at 25 mph it rides nice and when i peg the throttle the front sucks to the water and I start eating spray coming over the bow, I'm getting 42mph and not fast enough to pack air under the tunnel, I've played with props and engine height, plus the 3800 would be unique, the guy i bought it from ran a 225 fich and was into the 80 mph range, i hav a 140 hp Chrysler on it now

 

[Kainon]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

Big blocks eh? wow.. so weight's not much of an issue..

SO triming up is a problem eh ? maybe a different prop that helps with bow lift?

I think it's cool what your doing, I want to swap out the 4100 GM 250ci for a GM4200 Inline 6 ( the new one ) with 265hp, but would need a bit of work, an adapter for the bell housing, custom exhaust water cool exhaust manifold.. and the ECM reprogramming.. pretty much the same as your doing.

Good luck !!!

 

[thompy]

Re: anyone install a 3800 buick into a boat

Big blocks eh? wow.. so weight's not much of an issue..

SO triming up is a problem eh ? maybe a different prop that helps with bow lift?

I think it's cool what your doing, I want to swap out the 4100 GM 250ci for a GM4200 Inline 6 ( the new one ) with 265hp, but would need a bit of work, an adapter for the bell housing, custom exhaust water cool exhaust manifold.. and the ECM reprogramming.. pretty much the same as your doing.

Good luck !!!

Ive had 5 diferent props on it so far, the 4 blade amita 12.5x 21 has been the best for bow lift so far, other than this beeing a tunnel hull it also has steps in the hull, and with all the set back on the motor, it hard to beleive it doesnt trim out well with the motor