A Friendly 1980's Mod-VP Rivalry

[Fullthrottleguy]

After competing with each other at nearly everything with a motor over the past 10 years (Snowmobiles, Sport bikes, supped up 80’s short-box pickups, high end sports cars) my good friend from College and I have wised up and moved onto 80’s vintage speed boats. Our two boats are only a year apart in age and would have competed against each other in the 1980’s Mod-VP racing circuits back in a time when we were riding tricycles. The two rigs sport period correct power from competing outboard manufacturers to add to the rivalry. Unlike the stripped out race boats they are derived from these examples are stock production hulls with full interiors and should be as comfortable doing full speed blasts down the lake as they are taking the family out for a relaxing Sunday cruse. Although the boats are similar in many respects their stories and setups are quite different; who will win this competition between friends? This summer we will find out.<o></o>

[Fullthrottleguy]

The Competitors:<o></o>
Fullthrottleguy – Age 28<o></o>
1986 18’ Hydrostream Valero YT<o></o>
1981 Johnson 235 (215HP at the prop)<o></o>
8” setback on manual Jack Plate<o></o>
Hydraulic Steering<o></o>
GT lower unit with bob’s cone and torque tab<o></o>
<o></o>
McMopar – Age 30<o></o>
1987 18’ Charger STV<o></o>
1986 Mercury 2.4L Bridgeport Mod-VP (detuned to 220HP at the prop)<o></o>
4” setback on hydraulic Jack Plate<o></o>
Duel Cable Steering<o></o>
Factory CLE<o></o>

[Fullthrottleguy]

1) Top Speed<o></o>
2) Acceleration<o></o>
3) Handling and Control<o></o>
4) Bonus points – practicality<o></o>

[slowaction420]

Sounds like fun two very cool boats

[petehubbell]

The charger STV

[NosBoss]

That charger has a big advantage with the 2.4 bridgport over the crossflow.

[aggiestckl]

STV all day

[josh7_78]

McMopar – Age 30<o></o>[/B]
1987 18’ Charger STV<o></o>
1986 Mercury 2.4L Bridgeport Mod-VP (detuned to 220HP at the prop)<o></o>
4” setback on hydraulic Jack Plate<o></o>
Duel Cable Steering<o></o>
Factory CLE<o></o>

EFI or carb?

[Mo River Rat]

I believe the charger/STV, would have the edge... Bob.

[toyomirage02]

charger hands down ..... what do the wifes look like lol just kiddin

[toyomirage02]

we need pics

[Fullthrottleguy]

More on the story:<o></o>
Being that this is a “Friendly Rivalry” our two rigs will both benefit from the insight and input of both drivers. There will be no secrets or aces up the preverbal sleeve in an attempt to have one boat win over the other; this is more of a scientific experiment than an ego driven challenge. The comparison will take place over the course of the summer starting with a baseline run in the spring of 2013. Numbers will be documented and then tweaking will begin in an attempt to squeeze the best possible performance out of the hardware at hand. Both boats have foot throttles, trim on the steering wheel, tether kill switches and appropriate tight steering. In an attempt to preserve a level of safety a top speed cap of 95 MPH will be put in place should either rig achieve such a milestone in performance as to prevent either from dangerously airing out in an attempt for the last MPH and risking a blow over. Both boats will have access to the same prop selection and knowledge base and all testing numbers will be recorded using GPS.<o></o>

[Fullthrottleguy]

The Hydrostream in this challenge was purchased two years ago and was a complete basket case suffering from years of neglect. Hundreds of man hours later and thousands spent in hardware and it now sports a new transom, stringers, floor, clear coat and blue-printed running surfaces. All the interior bits and controls are fresh and everything from the prop to the trailer looks better than new. The owner has so far reached 89 MPH.<o></o>
<o></o>
The Charger in contrast was cherished by its previous owner and is an excellent example of a surviving hotrod boat. The previous owner had owned it since '89 and the motor and hull are original to eachother. It has all the period correct equipment and is in outstanding shape for its age. The owner has yet to ever get the boat wet. (He just picked it up yesterday)<o></o>

[Fullthrottleguy]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8225082...in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8225082...in/photostream

[Fullthrottleguy]

McMopar's motor is a rare 2.4 Mod-VP motor which came from the factory with 252HP to the prop - so i've read. Unfortunately inorder to achieve this back then they had to up the compression to the point where it would have to run 100LL gas. The previous owner had the heads changed to stock 2.4L bridgeport heads so it was more user freindly back in the 80's. It is assumed that it now makes the power of a regular carb'd bridgeport now.