Anyone drop a 409 into a 97-99 ski nautique?

[yardsale]

did many searches...cannot locate anyone that may have done this? Was looking at a 343 to upgrade, but a couple things stuck out. One, the 409 has a very similar footprint, minimal difference. Two, lots of hoohaa about it actually being lighter than the 343; and three, ponies.

 

thanks for any input.

[Mateo_Vargas]

This might be an option for you: http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=161398922648

[Jody_Seal]

@‌yardsale.

 

No Brainier! everything would be plug and play. I have installed a few LS platform engines in the bubble Butt Ski Nautique and few 502 Pythons to Boot!

[yardsale]

i knew a guy that had a 502 in his. a monster and he used it for footing, problem was the big block was noticible in the wake as it had a lot more weight. i don't think the 409 is any heavier than my gt-40?

 

although skiing is the priority, we like to long line foot on occasion and id think this motor could pull 4 guys. the gt40 struggles with two. have a 4 blade acme on there too. 13p i believe.

[yardsale]

does a guy need a new transmission with the 409?

[crashman]

My GT-40 runs like a scalded dog. I can't imagine how much fun a 409 would be. What about the 6.2L raptor block?

[6balls]

@crashman agree the GT-40 is a horse. I've felt the later edition 196's with 343 were really strong, too. With the 409 would be a riot.

 

I'm one of those guys who says you will never regret choosing more power in vehicles/boats, but you may regret choosing less. In boats as long as no weight penalty it's a no brainer for me...gimme the power.

[yardsale]

Exactly

[yardsale]

Same weight, actually a little less, and footprint good to use stock engine cover? Where do I sign up?

[east tx skier]

First Ski Nautique I almost bought when I started looking was a 99 with a 502 Python in it. Boat was all white with red pinstriping. Real looker.

[JC McCavit]

About how much for the 409 ready to ship?

[GregHind]

http://www.skidim.com/products.asp?dept=1014

 

Looks like you can get the engine for about $12k.. But then you need transmission/adaptor? digital throttle setup and Zero.

[ForrestGump]

Not a Nautique, but one of the coolest ski boats I've ever seen was a Mastercraft Sportstar that had been retrofit with a Illmor 6.0 and zero off

[GregHind]

@yardsale get it from @jody_seal every customer of his speaks highly. I'm in Australia, provided the link to skidim as that is the only online pricing indication I've ever seen of inboard engines for the US.

[oldjeep]

The one comment by that engine on SkiDim is so sad. So the measure of success in a nautique that costs well over 100K is how many tubes he can tow.

"This engine is what I have in my 230 nautique. It gives you so much power that you could tow 5 tubes behind you. "

[GAJ0004]

409 HP in a 99 Nautique... That would be fun!! The GT-40 is like a rocket as it is..

[jhughes]

Just to clarify for everybody, that generation SN (TSC1) is 97-01, not 97-99 as very commonly mentioned. The hull actually lived one more year as the SNOB in 2002.

[crashman]

And a great hull it is. Whomever on this forum directed me to it-thanks!

[yardsale]

you've arguably got the best boat nautique has ever made when you consider the present day value of that vintage, and what it would cost to upgrade to a new CB200. The difference between the two boats is probably a minimum of $50k.

 

plus the classic look of the bubble butt........so nice.

[yardsale]

but is the improvment in its skiability worth that? probably not for most people.