What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

[CodyGrizz]

In another forum I was told a OMC400 outdrive can take a mild SB engine no worries. I have a 1989 Bayliner 19' Capri open bow with the 140hp 3.0l engine and well, it just isnt enough. I just thought it would seem weird that my outdrive could only handle 140hp. Hmm. I am thinking 200hp would be nice..be it a 4.3l or a turbo on my 140ho OMC Cobra

Dont laugh, it wouldnt be that hard. Simple plumbing, 5-6 pounds of boost wouldnt need a intercooler.. easy! Where the log exhaust is have a attachment for the turbo made. Turbo tubed to a manifold the carb sits on and exhaust through hull (turbos are very quiet). I mean..it could be done..turbos are easy on engines and outdrives (performance boats are going back to them over superchargers).

So..any answers?

 

[Boatist]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

If their talking about a OMC 400 Stringer then their crazy. The 400 Stringers biggest problem is already stripping out the drive shaft to water pump short shaft. V8 power on that small shaft I would not even go on a small lake and for sure not offshore.

Your OMC Cobra is a totally diferent design but you will still have gearing and prop size problems.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

The OMC 400 was designed for the four cylinder engines. The 800 series was designed for the 6 and 8 cylinder engines.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

No idea what that drive will handle but your theory on how to turbo charge an engine has more holes than swiss cheese. Buy a faster boat!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

No idea what that drive will handle but your theory on how to turbo charge an engine has more holes than swiss cheese. Buy a faster boat!!

Ayuh,..........

 

[KaGee]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

2 problems...

1) Gear Ratios

2) lighter duty parts.

The only way your idea floats is to buy a "donor" boat and transplant the whole power plant into your's.

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Iwas being general on the turbo. I know how to do it. I build import bikes and cars, I was just throwing out some simple things.

Why is it none of you have vision? It seems like when anyone asks a question your reply is "buy a different boat". No wonder there are thousands of boats rotting in back yards, people listen to simple thoughts like that. Why not try things, be different, do something cool?

I know that out trannys are always set for higher HP even if the bike/car didnt come with it. I was asking as I dont see OMC making the outdrive to just handle 140hp..maybe they did but why engineer something to be at its mechanical limit from the start? Turbos are much easier on parts when set right as at low speeds it doesnt build the boost it does at WOT so its more economical for the engine and easier on the drive, I asked about the HP as maybe here someone tried other options..but then again I forgot..I should just throw it away and buy a new boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Why is it none of you have vision? It seems like when anyone asks a question your reply is "buy a different boat".
I was asking as I dont see OMC making the outdrive to just handle 140hp..maybe they did but why engineer something to be at its mechanical limit from the start? Turbos are much easier on parts when set right as at low speeds it doesnt build the boost it does at WOT so its more economical for the engine and easier on the drive, I asked about the HP as maybe here someone tried other options.

Well,....... I may not have the Best Vision,.........
But,...... I've Rebuilt, Re-engineered, Modified,+ Abused about Everything I've Ever Owned.......

The OMC 400 was designed for the Smaller HP packages from OMC,........
'Cause it's Cheaper than using a High Horsepower Outdrive for the Smaller Powerplants.........

And,.......
As for the Turbo Thing,..........
This Ain't no Bike or Car,........
Just how Cheaply are you going to find the Proper Sized,.... Water-Cooled Turbo to put alittle Huff into that little 140hp,..??..??........

Nobody has said it "Can't" be done.........
But,........
You're Not Thinking it Through far enough..............
You're looking to Dump 3 or 4 Times the Value of your boat into a Project that'll have "Pay-backs" measured in Pennies..........

Another Thought,...............
Why would you want to Pour Ton$ of Money into an Old boat that's put together with Old Obsolete components, that Aren't Strong enough to Begin with,..??......

Like I've said before,........
If you're Not Happy with What you've Got,.........
Sell It,.... for a Profit would be Nice, but Doubtful........
Then go out,+ Buy the boat that you Want..........Then you can Trick-Out that 1......

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

CodyGrizz

give us a break ..... 1989 stringer OMC ?

DHP

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

First I dont need to run a water cooled turbo, there are other options like forces air cooling etc, and with only 5-6 pounds of boost, its not as much of an issue as you would imagine, they get much hotter in cars. And finding a turbo sized for the engine, easy. It would be a normal auto one, maybe tweaked a bit, but with todays turbo makers its so easy to get a properly sized turbo for most any application.

I am not building it to turn a profit. It wont be going anywhere, its my fun scoot boat. I could care less about making money on it, Its for my fun..thats about it. I enjoy it, it keeps me busy. I also do things like this to bikes and cars that people say the same thing. There IS a reason..its for the cool effect. I have had Baja's and bigger power boats..so does EVERYONE. I mean why have a boat like everyone else. Why not have a boat that someone goes "Hey I had one of those..wait..WTF?!?!?!". I like having things that people think arent worth doing stuff to, and it turns out fun!

I love my bayliners lines. I love how it handles. I mean if I can go a bit faster..cool. For speed I am building a 25' V-drive deep V hull boat (home built off of plans) this is for cruising around the area. I mean it has a computer with a 7" touch screen monitor in it for gosh sake!!

And DHP..good comment. Needed to get your post numbers up or something?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Nope

 

[paulie0735]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

………………You might have a look through the post history of people like DHPMarine and bondo before your throw rocks at them…………. In doing so you might actually just learn something about boats.

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Paulie..I aint throwing a thing. And maybe if people would post something WORTH reading..it would be read. If you dont have any information to post when someone asks a question..dont post. I am on many forums for import performance and I wouldnt just throw stupid replys to peoples questions. if I dont have an answer..I leave it alone. Otherwise I answer or send them to some place that can.

If you cant understand that..well I just feel for ya. I know a bit about boats, but no where near everything, thats why I ask questions. Its a way to learn. I didnt just get great at what I build by not learning, this is what forums do hopefully, teach people. Now..if you dont have a response that is helping the question, please feel free to move on.

 

[Don S]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Ya gotta watch these guys CodyGrizz, They just don't like fast boats. An air cooled turbo will work great on that engine. I would suggest lower compression pistons and a blower so you don't get that turbo lag.
That OMC 400 will work great, no need for gear ratio change, a Chopper prop with 4 blades and a steep pitch should do the trick just fine.

Good grief guys, give him a break, especially you DHP, Geez, upping your post count...... What a waste :=

 

[paulie0735]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Codygrizz, the advice here is free or worthless depending on whether it matches your POV or not but remember this............if you ask enough people you 'will' eventually get somebody to tell you what you want to hear! Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Sorry Don,Just came back to my senses.The chopper will work with the 4oo series.I just forgot about K-Planes.I also forgot Bayliner used the 400 drive in 1989.I thought they started using the 800 by then.Well ... That's Bayliner.

DHP upping my posts

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

I bought a brand new Chevy Vega in 1972 and upon looking under the hood decided a small block would fit in there and it did - very nicely I might add. Did it run? You bet -- very nicely I might add. People questioned the wisdom of doing this as well, but nobody said don't do it. After all it was my money. You were given a number of things that you probably hadn't thought through carefully -- all of which were based on gearing, strength of parts and economics. I didn't read anywhere where anyone said it can't be done or shouldn't be done so just go ahead and do it. I guess my two cents worth are that 5 or 6 pounds of boost will not provide much performance increase and at what cost? If you have a burning desire to be able to say I've got a turbo-3.0 by golly then have at it.

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Thanks for the reply Don.. hoping it wasnt in sarcasm.. With todays turbo design there isnt much in the way of lag when you size the turbo right to the application. I think a nice simple turbo setup could put out 190-200hp, simple 40-50% hp increase which is realativly simple with a mild turbo setup.

I was serious about the outdrive taking it. I was told on a performance boat site that they can handle a SB engine..seems like a few tried it, just wanted to ask here as well. The turbo would cost a bit more to do than an engine upgrade but would be lighter.

I was told I have a 400 based on it is a inline 4, the 800 was only for 6 and 8s..dang them people! I cant find any serial numbers or anything on it.As far as props what about running a ProPulse adjustable? then I could dial it in..or so it would seem to me.

I dont want to just hear what I want to hear, I want to hear real answers like "yes I did it and it worked" or " I did this and fragged my outdrive" etc.

So im off my rocker..it happens.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Ya gotta watch these guys CodyGrizz, They just don't like fast boats. An air cooled turbo will work great on that engine. I would suggest lower compression pistons and a blower so you don't get that turbo lag.
That OMC 400 will work great, no need for gear ratio change, a Chopper prop with 4 blades and a steep pitch should do the trick just fine.

Good grief guys, give him a break

Thats a break for sure........Well, one in the making anyway.

A 4 blade chopper on an OMC drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What HP can a OMC400 outdrive take?

Thanks for the reply Don.. hoping it wasnt in sarcasm..
I dont want to just hear what I want to hear, I want to hear real answers
So im off my rocker..it happens.

Ayuh,.........

You Were getting the Real Answers,......... But You Didn't like them..........

Now,...........
Well,........................................................................... :%