Swapping out standard 1:1 tranny to a Powerslot??

[Ski-me]

Just wondering if anyone has done this and if it would be worth considering. I found a site that would swap out (parts only) for $1150 for a rebuilt. Would it even be worth the work to swap out the standard 1:1 ratio for the powerslot on my 94' 205 with LT1 engine?

I would assume the prop would need to be change as well. If anyone has done it, was it difficult to do?

Just curious.

[TMCNo1]

I would think, coupling, 1 1/8" shaft, shaft log from 1" to 1 1/8", 1 1/8"strut and prop at least would need to be changed.
The replacement parts and the additional dollar amount can be found here, http://www.elberts.com/index.htm and here, http://www.ojprops.com/ and other places. Probably adding another $1400 give or take.

[BGcraft]

Jeff, powerslot with LT1 config strikes me as over-kill. And certainly at the price point mentioned for the swap and adds TMC1 notes above.

Of course maybe your aps are a little more hole shot, more consistent wakeboard w/ ballast pull/hold, or negating "skier pull" in course.

Even in my glory days, if ever those days even existed, just not good enough to ski, board, or even drive a significant difference with or w/out slot. And sure the argument is always there is no such thing as to much power but most if not all MC boats in any or "standard" config flat out get it done right out of the box. And even more so with intro of EFI in 93/94-carried through to the high output/hp engines of today.

Always of the opinion the LT1 with slot wasn't standard in/after 94 (at least I don't think it was on anything but the ProTour) because frankly the LT1 didn't need added slot benefit/s...just a beast and dream of a motor. Maybe the current generation of Tour-Team boats are the exception??

That 94 ProTour (PS190), which I grew up skiing, would make a great template for your specific config./parts as LT1 and slot standard that boat that year.

Maybe a dialed-in or CNC'ed prop from Eric @ OJ (who will let you test props & whom peeps rave about here) or an ACME prop get you far enough down the path on the specific goals you are trying to meet...at a much much cheaper price.

Fellow TT'ers- MYMC Charlotte, Eric in Chicago, Jim in Tampa, and other dealer reps have knowledge dripping out of their ears- maybe reach out to them for additional input...and certainly for that amount of coin!

I also wonder if you'd be forever tweaking and worrying about the engine/trans hook-up (out of warranty)?? I'm one of those anal-retentive MC'ers...at least I'm in good company!

Good luck and best wishes for warm weather heading CO way!

BG

[shepherd]

I agree with BG. Any base Prostar is a skiing machine, even without any options. IMO, it wouldn't be worth it. I regularly ski behind a '93 PS205 without the slot (don't know what engine, but it's nothing special), and it has plenty of ooomph to pull my 190 lbs out of the water. I couldn't justify spending a couple grand just so I can be pulled up a millisecond quicker or have a (very) slightly steadier pull through the course.

Just my :twocents: for what it's worth.

[east tx skier]

You know, they're probably right. It may be a bit of trouble and a lot of dough to do. And, honestly, that LT1 on that low drag hull will yank you around just fine. But man, how sweet would it be to have a 1.52:1 gearing on top of that. If you have the money, time, and inclination, do it. Start at the transmission and don't stop spending and replacing until you get to the prop. I had a 93 205 with 1:1, an acme, and some engine mods. It pulled great. Now I have gear reduction and 310 hp on a ten year old hull and I love how spoiled I am by it.

[shepherd]

I have a 385 hp LQ9 with slot. I really don't miss it when I'm skiing behind my friend's 275 hp (?) with 1:1.

[east tx skier]

I have a 385 hp LQ9 with slot. I really don't miss it when I'm skiing behind my friend's 275 hp (?) with 1:1.

285. Lower drag hull. I've said it before, but I'd trade it all for a little more. I think I appreciate the gear reduction more from the driver's seat when pulling heavier skiers in the course.

[Ski-me]

You know, they're probably right. It may be a bit of trouble and a lot of dough to do. And, honestly, that LT1 on that low drag hull will yank you around just fine. But man, how sweet would it be to have a 1.52:1 gearing on top of that. If you have the money, time, and inclination, do it. Start at the transmission and don't stop spending and replacing until you get to the prop. I had a 93 205 with 1:1, an acme, and some engine mods. It pulled great. Now I have gear reduction and 310 hp on a ten year old hull and I love how spoiled I am by it.

It was more of the idea of a "fun" factor than anything. I have no complaints with the boat, the pulling power or the wake. I just thought it would be a neat "perk" to have if it wasn't too expensive. I was curious if anyone had done it or not as it certainly would be a fun project to do.

[Jim@BAWS]

Just wondering if anyone has done this and if it would be worth considering. I found a site that would swap out (parts only) for $1150 for a rebuilt. Would it even be worth the work to swap out the standard 1:1 ratio for the powerslot on my 94' 205 with LT1 engine?

I would assume the prop would need to be change as well. If anyone has done it, was it difficult to do?

Just curious.

For what purpose...are you a HIGH END Slalom Skier? First and formost get rid of the
standard 3 blade that you probably have. A good 4 blade will make a difference or
even an upgraded 3 blade from whomever. Eric at OJ can be of help

Here are you upgrades

a) New Transmission
b) New Shaft and coupling
c) New Strut
d) New packing gland
e) New Prop
f) LABOR !!!

That LT-1 should push your boat 45MPH +

Hole shot for anyone in the world should be fine

Jim@BAWS

[Ski-me]

Thanks for the list Jim. Good to know that pretty much everything from the tranny back would need to be replaced. That certainly adds to the bottom line.

I did get a new prop from Eric last summer so the overall performance has improved a little from the original prop that came with it. I'm sure that a new one would be in order with the gear change as well.

Again, I have no complaints with my current setup and I am definitely not an amazing skier....it was just for the fun factor more than anything.

I suppose if my tranny ever goes out, it would be worth considering at that point.

Thanks all!

Man, two weeks ago I was thinking about de-winterizing the boat and then it started snowing! Suppose to snow tomorrow again. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer:(

[TMCNo1]

Thanks for the list Jim. Good to know that pretty much everything from the tranny back would need to be replaced. That certainly adds to the bottom line.

I did get a new prop from Eric last summer so the overall performance has improved a little from the original prop that came with it. I'm sure that a new one would be in order with the gear change as well.

Again, I have no complaints with my current setup and I am definitely not an amazing skier....it was just for the fun factor more than anything.

I suppose if my tranny ever goes out, it would be worth considering at that point.

Thanks all!

Man, two weeks ago I was thinking about de-winterizing the boat and then it started snowing! Suppose to snow tomorrow again. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer:(

http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showpost.php?p=585958&postcount=2

[east tx skier]

Thanks for the list Jim. Good to know that pretty much everything from the tranny back would need to be replaced. That certainly adds to the bottom line.

I did get a new prop from Eric last summer so the overall performance has improved a little from the original prop that came with it. I'm sure that a new one would be in order with the gear change as well.

Again, I have no complaints with my current setup and I am definitely not an amazing skier....it was just for the fun factor more than anything.

I suppose if my tranny ever goes out, it would be worth considering at that point.

Thanks all!

Man, two weeks ago I was thinking about de-winterizing the boat and then it started snowing! Suppose to snow tomorrow again. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer:(

I don't know of any pro skiers on here. Do what makes you happy. If being a pro was what it took to join the club, we'd all be driving around in old Glastrons.

You might get in touch with Bret (username) about what he did to get his LT-1 to scream. I can't remember what horsepower he finally got it to, but it sounded pretty impressive. Just about the prettiest early 90's MC I've ever seen t'boot!

[woftam]

FWIW, MC's equipped with powerslot packages were well loved by jumpers, by not so much by slalom skiers. The hard pull seemed to help with jump distances, but upped the difficulty in slalom. Even within tight time tolerances, one pull does not equal another. In the old days there was more emphasis on getting a compatible driver on his/her game in a tournament. Now it's more about being able to drive end course patterns and lining up straight.

[shepherd]

Interesting point woftam, I never thought of that about the harder pull of the slots, athough, being a rank amateur, I never noticed the difference. I guess by the same reasoning people have been complaining about Zero Off - hard pull (?).

[east tx skier]

Might explain why MC ultimately went to a 1.26:1 gear ratio over the 1.52:1.

[Jerseydave]

Experiment with different props..........cheaper way to gain performance.

(unless your trans is junk and you need a new one anyway, but if it isn't broke why fix it?) :D

[shepherd]

Might explain why MC ultimately went to a 1.26:1 gear ratio over the 1.52:1.

Ahhhhhhhh! :rolleyes:

[jipster43]

Waterski did a test comparing the 1993 Stars & Stripes with a 1:1 velvet drive to a '93 with the powerslot. The 1:1 scored higher for slalom skiing. Don't ask me why. Maybe one of the physicists on here can give us a tutorial!

JP :)

[east tx skier]

Waterski did a test comparing the 1993 Stars & Stripes with a 1:1 velvet drive to a '93 with the powerslot. The 1:1 scored higher for slalom skiing. Don't ask me why. Maybe one of the physicists on here can give us a tutorial!

JP :)

True. In the boat buyers guide that year, the engine transmission combos between the Prostar 190, the Stars & Stripes 190, and the 190 Limited were varied and the opinions about the wake varied.

Of these three 190's, the Limited (with an LT-1 and 1:1 combo) was cited as having slalom wakes that lagged "slightly behind the other two 190's tested" that year. WSM suggested that MC may have been working on engine placement as that boat rode a bit more bow high in the tests.

The Standard Pro Star with 351 HO and 1.5:1 shaved a second off of its 1992 acceleration time to 36 mph. The wakes were among the "best in test" for 93.

The S&S Pro Star was outfitted with the 351 HO and the 1:1. Top speed was less than the other two boats at 43.9 mph. This boat, however, was cited as having the "finest skiing wakes of any MC 190 tested" that year.

[03 35th Anniversary]

Here are you upgrades

a) New Transmission
b) New Shaft and coupling
c) New Strut
d) New packing gland
e) New Prop
f) LABOR !!!



I thought about doing this to the 93 190 we are restoring, IIRC you would also have to change where the trans mounts to the stringers.

[JohnE]

Might explain why MC ultimately went to a 1.26:1 gear ratio over the 1.52:1.


My understanding is that the women pro's like the 1.26 better and the men preferred the 1.52. So I guess that translates to all but the best of the best are better served by a smidge softer pull.....

[88 PS190]

My understanding is that the women pro's like the 1.26 better and the men preferred the 1.52. So I guess that translates to all but the best of the best are better served by a smidge softer pull.....

Jumping is probably part of that equation, which would drive towards a 1.52, correct me if I'm wrong but do the other manufacturer's build a 1.5ish equipped boats? I thought they were all more in the 1 and a quarter realm.

[east tx skier]

Jumping is probably part of that equation, which would drive towards a 1.52, correct me if I'm wrong but do the other manufacturer's build a 1.5ish equipped boats? I thought they were all more in the 1 and a quarter realm.

Malibu Direct Drives are all 1:1 IIRC.

Ski Nautique DD's come standard with 1.23:1. 1:1 is not an option and hasn't been for some time.