Someone dare me to do it...

[kert0307]

So in looking for getting some more speed out of my CVX16ss that I swapped a V8 into I have been looking into Alpha SS drives and shortened drives like the RLC. The RLC is way out of my price range and the Alpha SS drives seem to be pretty tough to find. I stumbled across this on RLC's website about how they shortened and Alpha upper for some testing.

http://www.rlcboats.com/triple_digits/project_tripledigits.html




Long story short. I've got a pre alpha upper sitting in my garden shed that I have no use for. I'm seriously considering taking my bandsaw to it... Also, that upper is from the 140 so it has a gear ratio difference that may help me out if you believe the conclusions from the page. (boats under 20 ft should try to spin faster because torque doesn't always help the handling)

[Grinder]

So in looking for getting some more speed out of my CVX16ss

I would try a Chevy motor. 

[kert0307]

I would try a Chevy motor.  

I don't know why anyone would want their boat to be "like a rock," seems like an accident waiting to happen to me. 

[Jerry]

There is some serious welding involved. Aluminum needs to be welded on both sides, and the driveshaft needs to be welded on a lathe. I would love to see you try it. My buddy Roger Sando at Metals Joining Lab  http://www.metalsjoininglab.com/  can weld anything, He shortened my driveshaft, and it's great. If you don't have anybody down there let me know. (although it would be faster with a stock O/D and a SBC.)  I totally believe you should make the best out of what you have. (even if it's a Ford)

[fireman24mn]

I double dog dare you. You may also be placed on secret probation while completing the task.

[kert0307]

I've got a spare driveshaft as well. Couldn't the driveshaft just be cut down and re-splined instead of cutting and welding? I really try not to weld on shafts if I don't know the chemistry because most are high carbon and need preheated and slow cooled. I'm not too worried about the aluminum welding. I've got a buddy with a tig welder that welded my aluminum jet boat exhaust manifolds back together after after I cut them to fit into the tiny engine bay and work with the I/O. I'll probably also add a nosecone to the lower unit while I'm at it.

I design and build prototype construction and mining equipment for a living, I know a few machine/fab shops who can help me out around here too.

[carlsoncvx18]

Kert

I double dare you

very interesting project can't wait to see how it turns out.

I believe that all you have to do is change the top gears in the upper part to make it work for your v8

[Jerry]

I re-splined my driveshaft, and when I got it back I found out it was hollow. It's stanless. cutting and welding isn't a problem (when it's hollow) but you can drill the center and pin it before welding, or figure how much shorter it has to be and send it to Roger.
BTW
It cost me $225 to re-spline, and I cut it off and tossed it.

[CVX Fever]

Sounds like quite an undertaking but it would be cool if you got it to work. The Alpha SS was supposedly good for another 3-5 MPH in a CVX18 which is quite a boost in top end peformance for a boat. Too bad they are so tuff to find and expensive when you do.

[scotty007]

I know were you can buy a Alpha SS. Thats what I would like in my cv23 and a 383 stroker some day??

[kert0307]

I think I will do this as a winter project. I will pull the drive off the boat and the motor this fall. I want to take a closer look at the motor to make sure it is in good shape before I start upgrading things. I just made sure it would run so I could enjoy it a little this summer after working on it for the past two years.

[Burnin Daylight]

I know were you can buy a Alpha SS. Thats what I would like in my cv23 and a 383 stroker some day

Scotty, Red just got a donor boat with a Bravo drive to mate to his stroker for the Scimitar.  He is really excited about it.

[still_fishin]

Buy the ss Scotty. If you don't, give us the info. I'm sure one of us would. Thanks in advance. 

[fireman24mn]

what kind of boats did the Alpha ss drives come on. Years and models. I can watch the auctions and see if any of the boats come threw that are totaled have them.

[Rosscoe]

I think a CV16 with a V8 would be awesome. I think all the "factory" ones had OMC outdrives though so a conversion such as you are doing is probably the way to go.

[Hyperacme]

I think all the "factory" ones had OMC outdrives

Not all of them ....

http://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=3374.0

[Hyperacme]

Alpha SS shorty - $2500 (Columbus
http://columbus.craigslist.org/boa/3239771492.html

2.5" shorter than standard. Adds 6-8mph to most boats.
I won't give it away but I will listen to offers.
1.32 ratio.
email or text. 614.325.0334

[CVX Fever]

I won't give it away but I will listen to offers.

Gregg you da man. I'll bet you wouldn't bring that SS drive home for less than $2300.

As far as the one Scotty 007 mentioned, if it's the guy I'm thinking of, I talked to him a couple of years ago at the boat show. Doubt you'd touch his for any less. In fact he never mentioned price which is why I'm pretty sure he would never let it go unless he could get top dollar for it. He knows what he has.

I could be wrong, I am most of the time, just ask my wife & kids! .....LOL

[wexrocks]

The CV-16V8's I've seen were Volvo. And chris's Merc. Never saw an OMC.

The SS drives commonly swap on the performance boat sites at $1500, but for the 3 or 4 mph that most guys see with them, it's hard to justify $1500, and also considering that parts are NLA if it ever breaks. $1500 would buy you a set of heads AND a cam far exceeding what the SS drive would provide. You'd have real world hp for everything from planing to top end. Just my thoughts.

[Hyperacme]

" I think all the "factory" ones had OMC outdrives "
Didn't catch the OMC comment ...