1997 Challenger Performance Check

[LSaupe]

Greetings all:

Finally got my (new to me) Challenger in the water today.

Seems a bit low on power, but maybe these numbers are o.k.

I am seeing 45 MPH at 6,500 RPM with just the driver and a 1/2 tank of gas (if you can trust the instruments).

Temp: 80F
PA: 850 ft

There is one small ding in the impeller.

Though I have not physically removed them, I did pull the covers and springs off the RAVE valves and they slide up and down without effort.

Compression is 125 PSI in both sides. Appears to have a fresh rebuild.

Any input here? Heading back out to play some more today with it. Just too nice a day not to get on the water.

Larry S.

 

[LSaupe]

Good stuff. Many thanks.

 

[timmyboy76]

check the throttle cable, make sure ur get'n "full throttle"

 

[LSaupe]

Thanks Timmyboy. I did check that early on as part of my once over. Now its time for my twice over )

I like your bimini top. Was that a Sea Doo item or aftermarket?

Larry S.

 

[timmyboy76]

Thanks Timmyboy. I did check that early on as part of my once over. Now its time for my twice over )

I like your bimini top. Was that a Sea Doo item or aftermarket?

Larry S.

thanks...its a Seadoo item, came w/ boat....but, check out ebay, they got "universal" bimini's, just measure where you want the mounts. Believe ur Challenger, was like my Sportster, had mounts on the side of boat, so does my 1800, but my Challenger 1800, has mounts on top, which, needs a 72" wide bimini.
So, if yuo come up on one, cheap, or there is those ones around 140 buks, then guess its a matter of preference, on where/how its mounted.

 

[LSaupe]

I got back out on the water today. Cleaned the carbs, and put on a new filter. Wear ring to impeller tolerance is good.

Checked compression again after a day of running and both are now showing 150 PSI.

I did find my accellerator pump is bad however. I need to add choke to get it off of idle and into the mid range.

But... this thing is still really a mut. Can't even get it in plane with 4 very light people in the boat. Performance with one adult and one child is marginal at best. Doubt I could even pull a skier or tube and keep the boat on plane. A tight turn will pulll the boat off of plane and trying to get it back up is an excercise in patience and VTS adjustments. The engine always quickly responds and pulls at 6,500 RPM, but it just feels as if it is pulling an anchor all the time.

Accelleration is VERY slow. Infortunately I don't have anything to compare this againts (just a traditional outboard - where it jumps on plane with spirited acceleration).

Any further thoughts on this (I.e. low hanging fruit to look at)?

 

[nebnoj]

I would change the impeller. We had a 97 Sportster with the same sort of issue. Impeller had a few nicks and dings. After it was swapped out it was like riding in a new boat.

 

[timmyboy76]

definetly, need to go back thru carbs, and clear out the accelerator pumps and fittings...makes a world difference, and may take double-look at impellor to wear ring clearance...:cheers:

 

[scooper77515]

SkatTrak Swirl impeller will get you out of the hole much quicker, but you may lose 1-2 mph off top end. But you are talking about pulling tubes and skiers, so you probably want that better pull and don't need those last 2 mph's.

I am thinking mine gets a little more RPMs. Is 6500 top end on our boats, guys? I was thinking a little closer to 7000 or 7200.

But the 45 mph sounds about right compared to mine, so that 6500 may be about right. I just got done burning my 10 hour breakin on the new engine and haven't spent enough time at WOT to see where it is.

Also, try to lean out your low speed screw 1/4 turn for that bog on takeoff. That has always fixed it for me on both my XP and Challenger.

 

[lilngineer]

If you do tear apart the pump for a rebuild, I would reseal the ride shoe to the hull, and definitely replace the neoprene seal between the hull and the pump.

I did all of the above and also changed to a solas concord 14/22. Mine accelerates nicely and hits a top end of 53 on the speedo.

 

[lilngineer]

Also my WOT RPMs are about 7100.

 

[LSaupe]

Missing bailer tubing?

Just found out that I am missing a key component on my pump (item #11 in the parts list). This being the bailer tubes (typically blocked) on my nozzle. I have two wide open holes and no tubing.

Anyone have experience with this? Could this be part of my problem?

Larry S.