why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

[phatmanmike]

title says it all... such as the merc macing 280hps and such....

 

[LubeDude]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

Do you want the real answer???<br /><br /><br />Because it looks cool! <br /><br />Many racers polish there lower units, but at a minumal gain, but when you are racing, even a minimal gain is worth it, when 1 10th of a second can win a race.

 

[ehenry]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

I woulda thought it was because they went so fast it peeled the paint off!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

Actually guys, you're not far off. As boats got faster and faster we had trouble getting the paint to stay on. Peeling paint looks horrible and there may be some truth to the theory that the "rough" gearcase (from paint peeling) can cause a bit of cavatation. Most race boats look real sharp and the guys spend a great deal of time keeping them that way. The paint peeling off of a gearcase was an eyesore at best.<br /><br />The obvious answer was to not paint them in the first place. It may or may not go faster (debatable) but it sure looks a lot better.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

Okay, so why don't they paint the Hi-Perf powerheads???

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

i would guess it keeps in heat.

 

[DJ]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

It's too much of a pain to keep repainting them, considering how much they are wrenched on.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

Willy, they cool better without the paint barier, and it's much easier to detect leaks.

 

[DJ]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

And that too. Thanks Kenny.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

I'm wrenching on one now that I just put together 2-1/2 months ago...It's all over the bench again, but I got some guru friends of Dhadleys doing some custom work this time....won't be any paint here either...as you said, it's much easier to go without!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

Its all that plus Merc Hi-Perf wanted "instant recogination" from a recreational model.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

Kenny, which motor are you working on now?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: why do racing outboards have no paint on the lower unit?

the 2.5L....Dan is going to work his Magic on the block...