Thinking of Motor Swap?
 

Hello all, another season is sadly coming to a close. After all summer, I'm slowly starting to begin my quest of a motor swap. I've got the 95 Z212 with the 5.0L Alpha 1. The thing really is gutless when loaded with anymore then a half a tank of fuel and struggles its balls off to pull two skiers (both 100lbs skiers) out of the water with that amount of fuel. I've tried re proping, but its beyond that. I come from a huge racing family so its always bigger better faster, but I refuse to sell the boat.

I'm pretty sure I could put a 5.7L in the boat, and it will mount up to the current 5.0L motor mounts, correct? How much HP can the outdrive handle? The motor I'm not worried about, as I have some great heads, crank, cam, headers, ect for, and will push some great HP. If it is at all possible, I just don't want to grenade the outdrive, been there with a previous boat. What about cables, wires ect, since I'm still keeping a small block, everything else should mount up, correct?

If I have to afro engineer anything, I won't touch it. I'd just love to come out in spring with a nice built 350 and not have to worry about anything. Thanks for reading my book! :wink_thumbup:

Re: Thinking of Motor Swap?
 

Cut R loose!!
The 5.7 is a plug and play swap. What drive do you have? I'm thinking Alpha 1 Gen 2. It will handle 300 ponies all day long. That is what Mercruiser rated them at. I have seen guys with 350-375 HP with that drive. I would think you would still be in the sweet zone at maybe 330 HP. I believe the best case senario you have now is 220HP(4bbl).
Everything is bolt on and go with the 5.0 to 5.7 conversion. It would be a quick and fairly painless swap. And , when done , you'll be the only one that knows it didn't have the 5.7 from the start.
Do you have trim tabs on the boat? If not invest in Smart Tabs. They will make you think you got a sports car under you! :)

PS: Make sure you aren't holding water in the boat. The drain holes from the ski locker and gas tank access like to plug up with gunk.

Larry

Re: Thinking of Motor Swap?
 

I did the 5.7 swap from a 5 on my old boat she cooked and the leg held up fine for the most part until I went overthe 370hp range on it. Still lasted 4 seasons with that kinda power I also shaved off a ton of weight going all alum with no salt water here.As Larry said no changes neede she is a plug and play swap.

Re: Thinking of Motor Swap?
 

I don't have trim or smart tabs, I'm going to also put them on this winter. I'm putting it off as long as I can, I'm a little sketchy about putting holes in my baby haha. Not holding any water, the bildge has never kicked on the whole time I've owned the boat, except this spring when I was steam cleaning the carpets and tried it. Everything is dry I just believe the motor is getting tired.

I guess my next step is to call on some 350's and get the ball rolling. I'm also doing all new LED interior lights & LED docking lights, I'll have to keep a log with pictures I suppose. Thanks guys!