Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

[crustymuffin]

I have a 2002 Glastron SX195 with the Volvo 4.3L 190hp/ sx-m 1.79 out drive. I have a 14.5/21 3 blade aluminum prop on there now (just hit a rock and need to replace). My RPM's (prior to rock damage) were 4800 and a spedo speed of 43-45mph.

We wake board a lot and I was considering a prop that holds a better speed in the 18-22mh range. However, I really do not want to loose more top end.

Any suggestions?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

You could try something like smart tabs; better hole shot less bounding around, stay on plane with less throttle, less wander in no wake zone.

 

[rndn]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

Welcome to the iboats.com forum!!
Your rpm's are actually 200 over the suggested maximum for your motor. You should try dropping to a 20 inch 4 blade SS prop or a 19 inch. Going to and SS 4 blade prop will reduce your rpm's by a few hundred and help with lowering your planing speed and help with the hole shot. I would not suggest you go to an SS prop if you're prone to hitting rocks with your outdrive as aluminum prop will self destruct and an SS will place some strain on your outdrive if you really hit a rock.
If you boat where you do stand a good chance of hitting rocks one prop mfg makes a 4 blade aluminum prop that would work good for you.

 

[crustymuffin]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

This is the 1st rock I have hit in 4 years. But I might not keep the boat too much longer so a SS may not be desired. Should I stay with the 14.5 in diameter?

If you drop pitch do you gain or loose hole shot?
And how much of a difference is 1/4 to 1/2 in in diameter?

 

[Steve O]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

Not that I know a darn thing but I just happened to be on the volvo website earlier and the 4.3 gl is 4600 rpms wot and the 4.3 gs and others were 4800.But like I said I dont have any first hand knowledge. May have read it wrong but they do list all the engine specs on thier web site.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

4800 sounds good to me if you want a inexpensive and lower planeing speed's and pull like a tractor..


1. http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Vo...andard&**********=398800143&*******=374325771

2. http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Vo...andard&**********=019686383&*******=374325771

Now that will lower you to 4600...probably not a arm jerker but it will lower your planing speeds with very little top end loss

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=248765

Just wanted to drop a note to all who may be interested...
I Tested a new Solas Rubex 3-blade and was VERY impressed with the over-all performance of this aluminum prop-one of the best I have ran, in fact.
I love the replaceable "Rubex" hub...no knock at all where I have knock with flo-torqII hubs.
This prop is a great load carrier and holds good on top-end for aluminum.
I wouldn't pass this one up if looking for aluminum.
Two thumbs up!

WH is fairly conservative with praise....

 

[mvn]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

Extensive testing with a similar setup (4.3L GL-D, SX-M 1.79:1).......

A 14.25x20" Turbo 4-blade stainless gives me 4800 rpm WOT (yes, 200 over)with a top speed of 45.7 mph (GPS) with a full tank of fuel (168 litres) and 2 adults on board. Theoretical calcs show more like 44.7 mph (@12% prop slip) but I have smart tabs installed.

Holds plane down to 16 mph, good hole shot, no porpoising, no ventilation, good lateral stability.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

Extensive testing with a similar setup (4.3L GL-D, SX-M 1.79:1).......

A 14.25x20" Turbo 4-blade stainless gives me 4800 rpm WOT (yes, 200 over)with a top speed of 45.7 mph (GPS) with a full tank of fuel (168 litres) and 2 adults on board. Theoretical calcs show more like 44.7 mph (@12% prop slip) but I have smart tabs installed.

Holds plane down to 16 mph, good hole shot, no porpoising, no ventilation, good lateral stability.

Damm good prop there but one big diff, a turbo 4 blade ss will have enough cupping that it will act like a 21p 3blade ss in turbos own line. He's currently running a 21 3 blade alum and a 20 4blade might really drop the r's....from 4800 to 4500 or 4400...aka 200 for ss 100 for the 4th blade and another 50-100for cupping....4.3" are a liitle weak on tourqe @ WOT...

But a 18p baypro could do nicely...but ya never know until it's on the boat.....and i-boats has no exchange program if your wrong...Sup with that there i-boats ...jeeshh no precison props at all any more...

 

[crustymuffin]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

well I ordered the SS Apollo 14 1/8 x 20 4blade before some of these post came in. Should I return it?
http://http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Volvo_Penta/Any_HP_(All_Years)_20.00-Pitch_Apollo_993205_Propeller/645/11237/?rotation=Standard&**********=711273362&*******=224335305

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

Thats a tough one, if your all of your numbers are correct a 20p 4blade ss would drop you to 45-4600..:redface:

Aside from that the Solas props DO HAVE a exchange progrm and the 19 would put or should put you at 4700... and a 18@4900 and if you wanted to jump to a 3 blade you could "FREE EXCHANGE"....as you can see you have a lot of options going with a Solas and they are highly recomended by WH.. Personally if it was me.... yes i would give them a call


PS Free shipping..

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Vo...andard&**********=126916670&*******=374325771

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Vo...andard&**********=126916670&*******=374325771

 

[crustymuffin]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

so I installed and tested the SS Apollo 14 1/8 x 20 4blade.
43mph right at 4600 rpm's both via the boat gauges and the thing pulls great. I'm pretty dam happy.

Water conditions were not too good so I might see 25-50 more RPM's on better water.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Volvo 4.3L Prop questions

so I installed and tested the SS Apollo 14 1/8 x 20 4blade.
43mph right at 4600 rpm's both via the boat gauges and the thing pulls great. I'm pretty dam happy.

Water conditions were not too good so I might see 25-50 more RPM's on better water.

That is all that count's....being happy with the money you have spent..