Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

[musky3]

I run a 14x20 SS prop (Suzuki)on my 618 Ranger.I get 46.5 MPH (GPS)Looking to get some more speed...anybody try any different props like Ballistic or Solas.In Bass&Walleye mag (Feb) they where getting 4-5 MPH faster with these props. Thanks

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Need to know more, what RPMs, where is the cavitaion plate in relation to the bottom of the transome?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Keep in mind, that test was with a 225hp with the "slowest" speed being 54mph....3.9mph was the "total difference". Those are also 500-700 dollar wheels, but maybe price isn't an issue for you....The article also states, "before you spend a bundle on a prop, experiment with engine height"<br /> John Mazar didn't even want them to test his Mazco, because they wouldn't raise the engine enough (at all)to run where the Mazco was intended to be run....The testing, to me, was a waste of time, because each prop has the ability to perform best at what may be a different heigth than what was tested.<br /> Now, as for getting the max out of your set-up, can we have the info LubeDude has asked about??..

 

[musky3]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

I hit 6200RPMS with a light load

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

musky3 <br />I have an '03 Tracker Avalanche I re powered with a Johnson 140, just hung it today. My hull weighs 1388# w/8' beam, 18 feet long with a modified v-pad. I have been doing some research on props too because in my area 4-strokes are mostly used on pontoons, decks, etc. A prop man told me that a 23 pitch Rapture should work on my rig. I already have a trophy 23 on hand and am waiting to get the Mercury/Johnson adapter to try it out. Not trying to compare my "tin" boat to your Ranger but they are somewhat similar in size and weight. I'll let you know how it goes and please keep me posted. Maybe we can help each other. <br />JD

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Musky3, you are right at the point of correct "engine" speed if you are getting 6200 with a light load...IF you go to a 23" prop, you will be at 5600 with a light load...of course this is not what we are looking for in a proper set-up. <br /> If you decide to go with more pitch, for best results, you will need to raise your engine on the transom to help get some RPM back.<br /> To simplify my statement, You are running in the RPM range that would indicate the correct RPM if you intend to always have the same load as tested. If you plan on having more than yourself aboard, you will need to consider DROPPING a step in pitch, as opposed to increasing pitch.<br />6000-6200 would be the target RPM with a load.

 

[sorrydog]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

zuki props are actually not too bad- much like an OMC raker.<br />If you have a water pressure guage, you could try raising engine height.<br />You could try a 22 chopper or 23 SRX but props are always a crap shoot. You can never try too many.

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

FYI,<br />I put a 14X17 aluminum prop on my engine, 30 gallons of gas, no passenger 36 mph (GPS) @6200 rpm's.<br />Tried a Merc Trophy 4-blade 13-3/4 X 23, 30 gallons of gas, my wife and I in the boat, 50 mph (GPS) @ 6200 rpm, . The boat was a little sluggish out of the hole but really got the bow up around 5500 rpm's with the Trophy . <br />JD

 

[P.V.]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Well, I'd like to report the following..... recently deliver'd a 225 four stroke Johnson/Suzy on a 20' Crestliner. Used the smaller diameter Suzuki props 14.75"(not the new 16"). Started with a 21' Ballastic and hit rev limiter @ 6300 rpm. HAd minimal trim and ventilated quite ez'ily. Went to 23" Ballastic but still hit rev. limiter and not much better performance. Went to 23" Rapture... WOW!!! 6100 rpms max, 55.6 mph with gps. Unreal hole shot, lots of usable trim, no ventilation. Awesome performance!!! Customer is stoked!! Very impressive motor but Ballastics have never work'd for me at all!!!! ! 140 hps usually are running 21" on 18 ft. light weight hulls, kicks butt!!! I've yet to see a run-off of a Suzi 140 vs. a Honda or Yammy 150 in any mags.. I think the boat mags will pi**-off Hondo/Yamy if they have to put the truth down in writing!!!

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Started with a 21' Ballastic and hit rev limiter @ 6300 rpm. HAd minimal trim and ventilated quite ez'ily. Went to 23" Ballastic but still hit rev. limiter and not much better performance.

Very impressive motor but Ballastics have never work'd for me at all!!!!

P.V., this has been my experience with Ballistics as well...<br />JD, I'm impressed with the figures you're getting with the 23"....obviously against the rev. limiter to begin with...Your numbers are simular to what a strong 175HP would produce on that type of boat.

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

walleyehed <br />The 140 Johnson 4-stroke has a 2.38:1 ratio so although the rpm's are there, the final drive outcome may not be what it seems. The engine seemed like it wanted to/would have reved higher yet with the 17 but I was in the 4th hour of break-in and didn't push it beyond spec. I could tell with the 17 that it was way too low right off the bat. It would literally jump out of the hole & tach out in about 6-7 seconds.<br />Question: I understand that a 3-blade prop will give me more speed. Would you try a 3-blade 23 or 22? Would a 3-blade 23 make my hole shot even more sluggish?<br />JD

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

A 22' and 23" can vary greatly in brand designs, and in some cases, may be too close to tell the difference.<br />In the case of the 22", I assume you're speaking of a Suzuki prop, and that's a good one....I have a couple zuki props I've ground the fwd portion of hub out to work on Johnson 2-strokes.<br />As for the 23", if it's the Trophy, that's a great prop as well, and in this case, there may be some difference in hole-shot with the 3-blade being slightly slower out of the hole, but top-end may improve a little.<br />Based on what you get with the Trophy, I wouldn't go with a 22" 3-blade unless you have the oppertunity to test it out first.<br />Do you know for a fact that the Trophy has never been "worked"?????

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

walleyehed,<br />Yes it is stock as a dime for sure. I bought it from a dealer while at a N.C. beach this past fall. It was in the box, unopened (box stapled shut) with the flo-torq kit inside, complete with installation instructions, etc. <br /><br />My biggest concern with the Trophy is that I'm not getting any bow lift until I get the engine up to around 5,500 RPM's. Once it reaches 5500 it's almost like magic, the boat gets up on its a_ _ and takes off. Considering the 140 Johnsuki's operating range/WOT is 5600-6200 RPM's and it develops the stated 140 hp @ 5,900 R's I suppose it makes sense. If I do any significant trimming of the engine much before 5,500 RPM it starts porpising, sort of lagging. Know what I mean?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Yes, I understand, and I must say that sounds alot like my Raker performed once I got my engine heigth dialed in.<br />By your description, the Trophy is doing exactly what it was intended to do...lift the bow at higher speeds.<br />Slight positive trim at cruise IS normal, and what you are explaining about venting by trimming farther at cruise, leads me to think you have found an efficient set-up as you are.<br />Gaining more IS possible, but it's gonna require an engine lift, and yet another prop, or tweaking the one you have by adding a bit more cup.<br />Over-all it sounds like you are finding good performance with the current set-up...the decission to go farther is up to you and your wallet.<br />The reason I asked about the Trophy being stock, is I wanted to make sure it hadn't been worked for higher RPM....most times it's best to ADD cup, or pitch to a wheel that turns a little fast, rather than remove cup from one that needs RPM(Less efficient).

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Walleyehed<br />My engine is mounted all the way down, bolts in the top hole. The anti-ventilation plate hits about 3" above the bottom of the "V" in the stern and 4" below the transom. I started there because that's where my 115 Merc 2-stroke seemed to perform best with a tweeked laser-2. The boat has a stepped transom that is approximately 12" rearward of the actual bottom of the boat with 7" of step from the bottom of the transom to the bottom of the hull. Would you play around with the engine height or leave as is with the current prop? One thing I didn't mention is that until the bow comes up, the steering is pretty hard in either direction. I have twin cable rack & pinion steering. If I raised the engine it should reduce drag, helping my hole shot and possibly the steering?<br />JD

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Raising it will reduce drag and in my case, helped with ease of steering.<br />3" above V is not uncommon when mounted back as you are due to transom and hull step design.<br />I would not be afraid to raise it one hole and test, but to raise any farther, I would want a water pressure gauge so you know what's happening at high-speed.<br />I think you could expect about 100 RPM from raising one hole, which may allow the use of more pitch as long as you don't run into a problem with hole-shot.<br />I have a good recommendation for a prop-shop that you may want to check into, that is very well-know for creating as close to a perfect prop as you can get, and it's all set up and worked to fit your boat, and your desires...

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Do you think raising the engine could also help with getting the bow up a little sooner/letting the engine rev up quicker? <br />JD

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

I think it would help in terms of "Time", but as for lifting at lower speeds, I don't feel you would notice much without some "work" on the wheel you intend to use.<br />Higher Rake props are "usually" better bow-lifters, and the Trophy you've got has room to work with.<br />You're getting down to the gnat's rear on the numbers you are getting now, but a heigth change can make a noticable difference in pressure, or lack there of, on the bow...<br />I think you are at the point where I would test one change at a time and keep a close eye on the numbers. Tansom shims is another option that will allow higher engine heigths with the increased set-back, and are fairly cheap to obtain, with easy set-up.<br />Keep up the good work...the rewards in the end are worth the tweaking.

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Johnson/suzuki 140 prop

Just thought I would let you know that I raised the engine one hole. It seemed to have a little more pep out of the hole and the steering was easier but when I trimmed it on top end the prop would blow out pretty easily. I would have to slow way down in order for the prop to hook back up. I let the engine back down and next I'm going to see if I can borrow a 22 from somewhere. Thanks for everyones help, especially walleyehed. <br /><br />JD