Should I install a 4 barrel carb to my 350 Chevy boat? Present 2 barrel is wimpy.?

Question

Will I see a SIGNIFICANT increase in HP with a new 4 barrel carb and intake to match? (specifically out of the hole?) Its a 16 foot ski tique. Also would I need a new cam shaft as well? -ski bum

Answer 1

It will increase power and fuel consumption. A cam that have a good across the board power curve will also help.
The first answer is also good. Propellers come in different Pitch sizes.
For example;
A 21 pictch prop will give you more speed and fuel economy. But, less power for pulling a skier up out of the water.
A 19 pitch prop will give you more power for pulling up your skier faster, but, you give up speed and some fuel economy.

Answer 2

If you are temted to go the 383 route your Chevrolet store is the the place to buy. Reason: 2 years or 24,000 miles. Summit does not do that. The other guy snarled at your stock motor, it may be a gold mine because of the steel crankshaft and main bearing caps. You may have a four bolt set up. As for the old 348 what a joke that poor old thing was superseded buy the 409 in 1961. It was a good runner till 1964. Where are you going to find one of those poor old boat anchors. Any good engine shop can get an excess of 500 HP out of a street 350. 78.9% of the modified sportsman motors in the northeast are Chevrolet 350's. The remainder are 467 big blocks.

Answer 3

lots of work and expense involved
have u looked into a different prop pitch ?
it makes a huge difference
also, a holley 500cfm carb using the existing cam and manifold will help as much or more than going to a 4 bbl

Answer 4

you will have a 10-15 hp increase.But understand that the back barrels only come into play under hard acceleration and at near wide open throttle.What you will notice more is the increased fuel consumption if you run at full throttle.

Answer 5

you are more likely to see a huge increase by getting a performance propellor.

Answer 6

should be a big improvement