454 prostar questions

[Bookshelf]

I've ran across a few 87-90 vintage Prostars with 454's and was curious about a few things. Do these have a 1:1 or a powerslot drive? Is it worth paying a premium for one over a 351 equipped boat? How is fuel consumption compared to a 351? Does the extra weight of a 454 affect the wake that much? Is it really going to accelerate that much faster than one with a 351 powerslot? Thanks

[Jim@BAWS]

Originally Posted by Bookshelf

I've ran across a few 87-90 vintage Prostars with 454's and was curious about a few things. Do these have a 1:1 or a powerslot drive? Is it worth paying a premium for one over a 351 equipped boat? How is fuel consumption compared to a 351? Does the extra weight of a 454 affect the wake that much? Is it really going to accelerate that much faster than one with a 351 powerslot? Thanks

You will not know if it has a powerslot transmission until you see of for yourself or ask the owner. The standard prop was a 14 x 14 I believe. The powerslot was larger than a 14 x 18

The motor box was HUGE and maybe only added 100LBS max to the package

Jim@BAWS

[TMCNo1]

There is a tag on top of the transmission that shows the gear ratio of 1:1 std. or the optional 1.5:1 PowerSlot.

[Covi]

Owned 89' with chevy 454 for a few years. Loved the ride. Skied great. Powerful. Gas doesn't matter. Motor box will take up leg room.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Bookshelf

I've ran across a few 87-90 vintage Prostars with 454's and was curious about a few things. Do these have a 1:1 or a powerslot drive? Is it worth paying a premium for one over a 351 equipped boat? How is fuel consumption compared to a 351? Does the extra weight of a 454 affect the wake that much? Is it really going to accelerate that much faster than one with a 351 powerslot? Thanks

To get a better opinion/response, what are you going to use the boat for? Footing?, Slalom? Wakeboarding, tubing, etc. Is acceleration your main goal? Do you have a short slalom course setup? Are you looking to pull 3 footers @ 40mph? Or, rec skiing and boarding? I would think for most uses the 351 would be fine, especially w/powerslot, but I'm sure others with boats of the same vintage may have more input.

[alletric]

There was a black on black 90 PS190 for sale on ebay a year and a half ago that I am still kicking myself for not getting. Had silver interior and the 454. I think it went for 9 but what a bad *** boat. Seller was ddhotboat. Anybody get it?

[Bookshelf]

Originally Posted by Ben

To get a better opinion/response, what are you going to use the boat for? Footing?, Slalom? Wakeboarding, tubing, etc. Is acceleration your main goal? Do you have a short slalom course setup? Are you looking to pull 3 footers @ 40mph? Or, rec skiing and boarding? I would think for most uses the 351 would be fine, especially w/powerslot, but I'm sure others with boats of the same vintage may have more input.

Recreational slalom, wakeboard and barefooting.

[Bookshelf]

Originally Posted by Covi

Owned 89' with chevy 454 for a few years. Loved the ride. Skied great. Powerful. Gas doesn't matter. Motor box will take up leg room.

I can't believe how big the engine box is on them, just saw a picture. Have you driven a 351 powerslot 87-90 for comparison?

[Jim@BAWS]

Originally Posted by Bookshelf

Recreational slalom, wakeboard and barefooting.

That year boat it does not really matter
a 240 HP Ford 351 1:1 transmission will pull a couple of med build guys barefooting at
40 MPH

The power slot will pull them out of the hole faster. The 454 even faster and the slot you
can add a few more friends

At show ski nationals I owned a 454 HO w/ a slot. Pulled 7 guys on Jumpers w/o problem
Wrapped 6-7 around the boat no problem, pulled a 4 tier no problem

It all depends on what you are going to do or need it to do.

Jim@BAWS

[Covi]

I pulled 8 guys up all slalom. No problem. One guy was even fighting it.