Best Looper V6 to start with for a buildup

I have come across a '89 225 Looper V6 that is showing signs of needing to be freshened up.
Apparently it runs well but is down on compression on a few cylinders. Its not really in the budget at the moment but i thought if i could grab it cheap it may be a good buildup project to use one day to replace my crossflow currently strong running 235. My goal would be a reliable 250 at the prop.

My question are:
Is this a good motor to consider as a buildup project; is this a good year for loopers?
Am I correct in assuming this motor has the larger connecting rods?
Is it worth the upgrade from the 235 on my hydrostream?
What would be a fair price to pay?

Thanks!

I'm following this!

the 89 is non fingerported but a good base, the easiest is the I think 93 and newer since they come fingerported and you would just have to port it to the 225 ho spec for what you are looking for, mine is an 88 box stock low compression motor and I have a 94 short block that needs a crank that I plan on someday rebuilding and porting to ho spec then have the 88 block finger ported and go a little more on its porting, and yes the looper will be a big improvement over the cross flow, Matt

I ran a stock 89' 225 powerhead on my stv as a backup. It ran 90.5 mph on the GPS. I was impressed how well it ran compared to a hot rod powerhead.

just find a set of #331490 2.7 l heads they run pretty well, as stated good rods intake, midbore carbs just remember not to try running it lean and it will last a long time. Pm instigator(Gary) on here or try his site: twostrokesonly.com


Steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inspectorlance

I ran a stock 89' 225 powerhead on my stv as a backup. It ran 90.5 mph on the GPS. I was impressed how well it ran compared to a hot rod powerhead.

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I'm already there with the bone stock crossflow. :) If I was going to build a looper I'd be hoping for more speed out of it than that.

My bone stock 88 with air box off and re-jetting I am over 100 on gps with a 32 et, I can run 90 with a 26 pitch with great punch, this is with 90psi heads and mid bore carbs, and I can run 87 octane fuel, Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldschoolltv

My bone stock 88 with air box off and re-jetting I am over 100 on gps with a 32 et, I can run 90 with a 26 pitch with great punch, this is with 90psi heads and mid bore carbs, and I can run 87 octane fuel, Matt

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:thumbsup: - That's impressive right there@!

My goal with the other powerhead is to be able to run 100 with a 26p, I just do not have the time or money to do it right now, I had a loaner merc on this boat when I first got it and that is what it would do, so this will be the benchmark someday, I like the punch better then the top-end but i do want to run 100, Matt

p.s. this was with many hours of set-up and jetting and a nice cool day. you will not be dis-appointed going from the cross-flow to the looper.

All this talk of this ghost boat running a 100, does it still run?

Ok now Purple piston eater, your faster but lets not go the reliabilty factor, LOL
hope to have it out saturday for some old guys birthday or something like that, Matt

Ps. Mine still runs.