Thread:

454 (330hp) winter upgrade questions

Originally Posted by mustangmark

Ok guy's,
I have some questions maybe you could help me out with. I have a 1989 warlock Euro 24 (fairly light boat) with a 454 (330hp) The guy I bought this boat from said he believed it does have a small cam in it but we'll take that at face value. The motor is all stock with the exception of a aluminum intake that has no #'s or i.d of any kind on it. I have recently bought a complete msd ignition system for it and a holley marine 750 dp (to do away with the quadrajet that's currently on it).

1.) I am going to swap out the "spread-bore" intake that's on it for either a "square-bore" edelbrock preformer rpm or rpm air-gap (WHAT INTAKE DO YOU GUYS SUGGEST BETWEEN THE TWO???)

2.) I need to buy spark plugs...(WHAT PLUGS AND PLUG GAP DO YOU RECOMMEND???)

3.) WHAT SHOULD THE ADVANCE CURVE ON THE MSD BE SET UP AT???

4.) IS IT WORTH WHILE TO UPGRADE FROM THE STAMP STEEL ROCKERS TO MAYBE A 1.8 RATIO ROLLER ROCKER IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN SOME EXTRA RPM OUT OF THE MOTOR??? (I don't see any reason to do a head and cam swap on this motor because I have a 502 in the works but it's a ways away)

5.) AND WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT DOING AWAY WITH THE CIRCULATING PUMP AND RUNNING A CROSSOVER???? (DO I NEED TO UPGRADE THE SEA PUMP WHEN DOING THIS???) I've heard and read it's worth a little horsepower?

NOTE: I am upgrading the exhaust this winter from the stock manifolds to more than likely stainless marine exhaust with new risers and relocating the exhaust to above the water line (can't help it...i want the sound!)

I have also decided to upgrade the commander 3000 shifter thats currently in the boat to a side mount dana marine unit this winter. I cant stand the commander 3000. It's just a cheap feeling and troublesome shifter imo!

Great thread, I'm in the exact same position on my 88' Hallett Vector. Boat runs good, but could be better. Would be real happy with a 502mag...anyone have a take out from a repower? As long as it's in 1 piece with no block damage, I'd love to rebuild it.