Engine work

[ChrisWheelingJK]

Ok, ok….I know many are going to say “JuSt LeAVe iT aLonE”

That’s not me lol. I’m a tinkerer and a gear head. I’ve built a few FAST cars in the past and cars aren’t really my gig anymore.

With that said, has anyone ever done some work to their Volvo Penta 8.1L set up?

I’ve been looking into Cylinder head and camshaft packages from Raylar Marine (I believe that’s how it’s spelled). I’m considering going with one of their packages when the boat won’t be used a lot this winter. I’ve built many engines in the past for cars so I’m not concerned about doing the work. I’m mainly wondering IF anyone has looked into or gone that route and if so, what were your results?

The stage 1 package looks pretty reasonable as far as performance goes and also, shouldn’t be excessively hard on the engine or drive. I also am aware my driving style will have to change a bit to ease the burden on the drive but it’s also geared a bit different from most so the TQ increase shouldn’t be horrible as long as I don’t drive like crap lol.

The package attached is what I’m contemplating. Thoughts and ideas?

[Big Block Power]

Ok a JK gear head pictures!
So first do you have the gi or gxi?
I looked into this year's ago. It takes alot of money in a Cobalt to gain 1mph. Also can then to see if they can tune volvo mfei 4 ecu. I'm sure they can. I know a guy that has a 250 that's over 600hp going I think 70.
He started with the raylar package. Then he went to Schumacher marine in Indiana to modify it some more. You can call them also for more info.
Anyways check the Cobalt fb page for a guy called GregS. He has a white Cobalt with a yellow boot stripe.
He is also a member on the Crownie HQ forum but he is not on there very often. Send him a PM. I don't know if he is on offshore only? He might be.
He boats on Lake Cumberland.
If I had his number I would get it for you but I don't. Sorry. I think he has about 20k into it. So it's about a grand per 1mph. Just saying.
Then you need to reprop it. Then call Brett at Bblades.

[ChrisWheelingJK]

Thanks for the reply! It’s a Gi. I know there are some small differences between the GXi and the GI, one being camshaft.

The boat goes 62mph now and I hit the limiter, I need F8 props, the F7’s aren’t enough.

I’m guessing that the heads and cam package along with a retune, bump in compression and F8’s should get me near 70 in my 226.

Ultimately, I don’t have a set goal, just…. A little more?

I may give Schumacher a call and see what they think. I think the 226 hull should do well, if that package makes what it says at the crank, that should get me in the ball park of 490-500php. Even if it’s a little less, that’s still a significant bump.

That, plus props should get me there. I think with F8’s as is I should be around 65ish as I hit the limiter. Jeep for….attention lol

[AsLan7]

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Awesome Jeep shot! Our family, dad and my brother are big jeep fans too. My dad used to race them in the Poconos and we've owned quite a few over the years.

Cobalt's duoprop setup is not the best for performance gains. If it had a single blade or even a chopper or surface drive it might be worth it to go big HP. Then again having something unique is always fun. Go for it.

[Big Block Power]

I think the crank is also different between the 2 engines. Plus injectors and throttle bodies. So plenty to think of. Yes the 226 is a good hull to do this too. Not sure what ecu you have it might be a 2 or 3 I don't think it's a 4. Remove it from the bracket and see what it says on the sticker. I sent my ecu to them.
http://mefiburn.com/

[ChrisWheelingJK]

Awesome!! Thanks for the input.

Like I said, I’m not looking to go crazy, just a little more power and yeah, something unique and a little different. I do think I saw something about the cranks, I think they were different castings as I can’t see them going forged from the factory. I had a lot of luck building LS motors and making great power with the stock bottom ends.

I’ll definitely check the ECU and get in touch with them. A heads and cam package may be able to run on the stock injectors, I’ll check the Lb/hr ratings and also default to what the package companies recommend.

I’ve also got a different geared drive, it’s a 1.78

I’ve gone from building race cars, to multiple Jeeps (built XJ and then a JK) to now wanting to play with my boat haha

[Big Block Power]

Not sure if Az speed is still around but they used to do a bunch of programming. Also I bet around lake Havasu there is a bunch of Knowledge.

[ChrisWheelingJK]

I’ll have to check and see if they’re around!

[Krob1114]

Nothing to add about the boat, I'm a stock man.

Love the picture with the rainbow. I like the way to comes down to a mountain of gold.

Good luck and enjoy your adventure.

[ChrisWheelingJK]

I’m stuck in an internal conflict lol. I’m a firm believer of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but equally am a gear head.

I want to build something that’s reliable (which heads, cam and intake should be).

As mentioned I think something….just flat out different suits me well.

As far as the Jeep, I’m lucky and live a short distance from Sedona AZ which is INCREDIBLY beautiful.