A small block 350 in a ski?

[kndtenn]

That is one ugly looking ski but it has to sound bad azz. I would like to just try it out to feel it. Check it out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Westski-the-most-powerful-PWC-you-can-buy-NEW_W0QQitemZ130154603830QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item1 30154603830

[TorquePhoto]

no top speed listed in auction.....I wonder what she'll do?!?!

[Westski]

Here is a video of the Westski on the water:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkXGlY-nH5U

[RX951]

wow, that sound really cool

[Ric]

That thing is FUGLY!!! But it does sound good, I'll give it that.

I'd rather see something like a big ski that, well... looks like a ski for one, and have it powered by something more like GM's LS7 engine... 427CI, 505hp/470ft-lbs, 7000-rpm redline... and aluminum, unlike the cast iron good ol' 350.

[Michael1]

I'd rather see something like a big ski that, well... looks like a ski for one, and have it powered by something more like GM's LS7 engine... 427CI, 505hp/470ft-lbs, 7000-rpm redline... and aluminum, unlike the cast iron good ol' 350.

It could be done. Indmar marinized an LS7 for Maiibu Boats Aniversary Edition. Only problem is the engine would cost as much as the ski. Just a GM Crate Engine version (non-marinized) is about $15K.

Michael

[Ric]

True. But a little unknown fact about the LS7 is that in car form, it also gets around 26mpg on the highway(any C6 Z06 owners wanna chime in???), which means that the crate motor would pay for itself in gas savings in a mere 27 years.

[kndtenn]

So what you are saying is I should buy two 427's and set them in my ski and it will pay for itself even faster. I am going to tell my wife. BRB........................ She said I can't play with you guys any more and I have to leave now to find a place to sleep tonight....... Thanks guys:smt100

[Ric]

Exactly, my friend. That's why I double up on Slim-Fast, to lose twice the weight.

[Chrisrokc]

True. But a little unknown fact about the LS7 is that in car form, it also gets around 26mpg on the highway(any C6 Z06 owners wanna chime in???), which means that the crate motor would pay for itself in gas savings in a mere 27 years.

That gas milage sadly isn't made at 5-6k lol!

[Ric]

Yeah, you got a point there. Since we're talking about a PWC big enough to house a Chevy V8, would it be of any benefit to fit it to a bigger pump, like a Berkley jet drive or equivalent? I know it's a whole different animal from what pushes a ski, but wouldn't it rock to see a 200+' rooster tail out of a ski?

Hell, here I am talking like I have two of the dang things.

[Michael1]

While the pump looks small, the Panther pump is good to 500 hp or more. It's a regular jet boat pump.

Michael

[engineermike]

The disappointing thing about installing a v-8 in a jet ski is that the basic Riva Stage 3 kit makes nearly 300 hp. So, a v-8 makes about the same hp unless you hop it up, but weighs 250 lb more. So, you'd have to make alot more power to overcome the weight.

Makes you appreciate the 4-tec engine more, eh?

Mike

[The Bandit]

I would laugh hard at anyone who pulled up next to me with one of those goofy looking things. I do like the high tech graphics on the side though. :^o

[Ric]

Mike, the one thing advantage I see to the big honkin' V8 is the gobs of torque available to push more water... thru a bigger pump, that is. Not to start a torque vs horsepower war, but the American V8 has a whole lot more torque with a wider usable range, allowing for a huge jet drive. Also, not knocking the Stage 3 kit, but almost any gearhead can bolt on some heads/intake/headers, throw in a 4340 rotating assembly, forged pistons, roller camshaft & lifters, stabilize the valvetrain, and end up with a reliable 600+ hp/tq(Assuming you've done your homework). Or if you really wanna break 150mph on a ski, Gale Banks sells a bolt-on twin-turbo kit claiming 1100 hp on a 350.

Of course, this all costs... a LOT. I won't be building any 600-hp skis anytime soon, but should anyone have more money than brains, I'll be glad to offer my sometimes-very-vague advice.

[engineermike]

Ric, here's some food for thought.

Let's say you want to put a 300 hp Chevy 350 in an RXP and utilize the stock 159 mm pump. If you use a direct drive, you'd be limited to about 50 mph simply because peak power would be around 5000 rpm rather than 8000, so you couldn't spin the little prop fast enough. You'd be all over the rev limiter. Now, you have 2 options: a bigger pump, or a gear/chain/belt speed increaser. Say we go with a gear increaser. In order to get the prop to spin a more-appropriate 9000 rpm, you would need a 1.8/1 ratio. Now, our 350 chevy isn't making the 315 ft-lb at the shaft anymore. Now, it's only making 175 ft-lb, which is back on par with a Riva Stage 3.

Mike

[YoYamma]

Westski, welcome to the forum—can we conclude that you are the designer or builder of this magnificent beast?