15ft bullet, 1500xs setup tips???advice???

[hewy01]

Hi there,
I posted earlyer last year, I had started my project with my 15 ft bullet c model light weight. And my 1500xs. Ive put a jack plate on her. Running a standard lower unit. 2:1 ratio. The powerhead is freshly rebuilt. I have a 26laser 2. Prop shaft is 2 inch from pad.
Put her in the water, ive done 8 hours of break in procedure. So 2 more to go.
The speed I have hit was 64mph at 5600 to 5700 rpm! I probly could get a little more but dont want to get to excited until I have completed break in.
So! I thought I would get a little more speed???67_68mph ish??
My boat is 450pound! Aparently, seat is centre,steering centre, fuel tank centre, battery centre. Running 98 fuel. I think im doing everything right!
Im purchasing some more props soon, just to play with.
I think my next step is finish break in, play with engine hieght and try get best speed with the prop I have atm!! Oh I do have a water pressure gauge aswell:)
What are your thoughts on this?
What would you guys do next??
I obviously want more speed;)
Cheers jade.

[largecar91]

I think you're on the right track. Until you get more props just keep tweaking your setup. Keep all the weight you can at the rear. To get more speed you will need to raise engine and I would try over hub chopper style props but your getting mighty close to losing water pressure at the height you are at so a low water pick up or an XS gearcase will be needed.I assume you have power trim. A 150 XS will run into the low 6000 rpm range and still make power with no problem. I am not familiar with a Bullet hull(I have seen pics) but i have run a lot of small v bottoms with and without pads with inline Mercs and 75-80 is obtainable. Keep running good oil and gas.

[hewy01]

Yes i think from what i have gathered and from reading all the threads on this site, i can get near to 1inch from the pad with the standard lower unit. ive put her up to about 1 1/2 inch from pad. once breakin is finished i will see what rpms i get out of her and give her a crack.

i have a newer style lower unit that im putting together atm. it 1.73 to 1. i have also blocked off the top 3 holes and added a couple more down lower.i think and i hope this will get my boat a couple more mph combined with taller gears and engine up 1/2 inch.

i guess i can try my xs lower unit aswell, ive been told that it will not pick up water once i give it some positive trim, becuase of the v bottom pad hull. but my brother is running one on his bullet and he gives it plenty of trim and it seems to have water pressure, so i can only try and test.

i will keep use posted, im testing on friday so i will let you know:)
cheers jade

[transomstand]

Put your XS gearcase on and have at it.

[largecar91]

I would use the XS lower. I have had inline lowers with holes blocked off and ground grooves in the housing to try to get water to feed to it but nothing beats a low water pick up and a fresh impeller.

[JWTjr.]

it's not being on a v-bottom that starves the XS pickups for water...it's running it at a positive trim angle. If your combination can run well with minimal positive trim, the XS case will work fine.

I will check on those props tomorrow, just got busy--sorry about that.

John

[Robby321]

Hey Jade. From Robby. Slow down here a bit. And I was today at the famous.."Dr. Frankenmerc". We BS'ed a bit the powerhead he built for you. (I know way more this build than most, as the "Doc", and Jade, other side the planet, well, I hooked them up). So he says he built you a powerhead, right? None yer XS stuff went to him, right? Anyway, you still have the original XS LWP gear case, but not on it? I can't remember if they were 1,73 to 1, or a 2/1. But ya got a HYD jack plate, not simple trim, you could easy run the LWP gearcase WAY up. No sweat the pad think. Ya got a gauge anyway. NOW!..let me think here...

My old Switzer SS17 with a XS, ran 73 at about 62/6300 R's. Ran a 2B SS cup 14/28. And timing at 23 degrees. (Good gas then). Way more boat, and way more heavier too than yours. Now my take is first, (ya OK at 8 hours run in, but still "baby it", as no long time WOT yet).

Couple questions first. What carb jets did the Doc put in, and are you running sea level air? Then, knowing the Doc, timing set at no MORE than 21 degrees...(done more "hole in one" mine that I care to admit, too advanced!) IF ya put good gas in it..(I'm clueless what ya guys run "down under", gas wise), I'd first do a timing check, and see what ya getting. I'm sure ya know what you are doing that right. Then crank up a degree. The "beast should wake up", and take it from there. Ya know what I mean.

My take, try that mentioned first. If a clean punch out the hole, no "gurgle or stumble", jets OK. On the 26P prop? Should get WAY more than under 6000 R's' on the small light boat. FIRST, I would look at the timing, of course run good gas.

Anyway, glad to have ya hook up with Thom. And any questions, email Thom. He simple knows his "stuff" And thanks the "File" sent, pix and the build so far:thumbsup:

We will get that witch running in the 80's yet! (Hey Milkdud, CHIME IN!)

[hewy01]

Robby,
good to hear from you mate!;)
and once again thanks for connecting me with Thom, he is most defenetly full of knowlegde and every bit of advice has been great and good advice. been great advice from everyone to be honest fellas!!
Milkdud has gave me plenty of tips and advice and has helped alot aswell. plenty of knowledge there for sure. ive been asking him alot of questions, haha probly to many:p
but non the less much appreciated.

Now robby i am at sea level air! i have 150 carbs on her atm and i think the timing is at 21. i have not checked to be honest but i can see a white mark on the flywheel at the 21deg mark. so i think it is fairly obvouse but wont hurt to double check right?
i am running 98 octane shell premium fuel. its the best i can get where i am based. 25 to 1 atm because of break in procedure. i will finish the break in this friday and then start play. and i cant wait. im buying a couple of props so i can play with setup and see what works for me i guess. the xs lower i think is a 2:1 ratio? when i fit her up i will check anyways mate.

so i will complete my break in and then see what i get out of my laser 2. then also fit my xs lower unit and play. sounds like a good start. i will keep use all posted guys

and as for the 80mph!!! thats what i like to hear:thumbsup: its going to be hard but maybe possible.
Milkdud is still trying if im not correct.but very very close. so i know i have alot of work infront of me.
jade.....

[hewy01]

i forgot to mention robby that he obvously did biuld me the powerhead. an xs clone i guess.
non of my xs gear is on it except for midsection, louvered cowls and maybe the lower.
haha sorry i forgot to mention that mate.

[Robby321]

Probably thin out to 40-1 oil now, stay with good gas..(I did same with the motor Thom built me), play with props and height, etc. Just keep plugging away. Good Luck!

[hewy01]

okay lads,
i have only 1/2 an hour to go to completing my break in procedure.
i have not done a speed run as of yet but i did try out the xs lower unit. it is working fine, pumps plenty of tell tale even with posative trim. more trim then what i need. i was just making sure it was all ok. Now it will be time for test and play... im at 1 &3/4 inch from pad not 2inch!! had to double check. so at the end of the week i will be testing.. will keeps use posted;)
jade.....

[Robby321]

Jade, see the post I did in "Technical", IL6 timing?. Heres a link

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?262196-Inline-Merc-stacks-timing-21%B0-now-when-normal-then-was-23-%B0

Read what said there, and if me and running good gas, kick it up timing to 22°. But if ya racing in a "roundy round" around race, ..(endurance?) , I would suggest not sustained WOT. A punch off drag race, kick it to 23° And the "Doc" builds good motors, knows that #3 .."hole in one", as the nature of the beast running heavy load. I would mess with the timimg before doing money on props. And for those who do not know what a 15 bullet looks like, Jade sent me a file the build. I just can't copy a pic it. Trust me, damn cool V bottom ride! And ya still getting "chinewalk"? I think I asked ya a pad or not, but if a simple V, flip it over, and add a 6/8 inch flat pad. As thats where the "running at speed happenes"..nice and a "face grin".

Post a pic here what the boat looks like! Wish the best, Robby

[hewy01]

Update time,
i have completed break in procedure. i am now at 11 hours. running 50:1 full synthetic.
i lifted the engine at 1/4 inch at a time. the prop didnt seen to show me any results in rpm gain or mph! same rpm at 5500 max,62 to 64mph at most. and i know this is no good for the inline6 engines so i did not over do it with to much wot.
basically once i had lifted the engine close to 1 inch from where i started i seen some results.
running at 5800rpm at 66 to 67ish mph! so an improvement. not much but somthing;) i could get better i think but it was really rough and windy.
the propshaft is now roughly 1/2 inch from the pad, and i still get good tell tale and water pressure. so i think i might just keep slowly lifting bit by bit. keeping an eye on the water pressure of course.