Please help! 96 Challenger needs a powerplant

[DansChallenge]

Hey everyone, I have a project on my hands and Im looking for some info. I recently bought a 96 Challenger that is missing the entire engine and pump assembly. All of the electronics, controls, cables etc are still there. the carbs and exhaust can is still there...but thats about it. Basically disconnect just what needs to be disconnected, remove the least amount of nuts and bolts, remove the engine and pump and thats what I have left in the engine bay.

My question is, will the engine/pump assembly from any 787 equipped PWC directly bolt into this boat? Am I going to have an issue with the driveshaft, coupling, alignment, etc in this swap? I would love to go with something that makes more power, but I know this is the easiest, least expensive, and most reliable way to get this boat back on the water. Any information you guys can provide is greatly appreciated!

 

[parrothd]

Buy a twin if you want more power/speed..

Any 787 engine and pump should work, you'll need a new prop as the one for from a pwc is probably too tall..

go to www.hlsm.com and compare the part numbers from your boat to the pwc you are trying to get parts from, all the parts are pretty much the same as the pwc....

 

[parrothd]

Probably the hardest thing to replace/find will be the reverse bucket setup, you'll need to find one that works with your boat or you will not have neutral/reverse...

 

[seadooya]

find a reverse gate from a 96/97 gtx.

 

[DansChallenge]

Excellent, thank you for the info guys. Im on the hunt for a suitable donor right now. Any recommendations on what I should be looking for? I think Im pretty much restricted to a 3 seater if i want something with a reverse gate. I may have found a 98 GTX. I think that uses the 787 and from the pictures it looks like it also has a gate.

 

[DansChallenge]

Well, according to some part number crossing on HLSM iy appears the 98 GTX isnt the best choice for a donor... a 96 XP shares the same impeller housing assy at least. The search continues...

 

[seadooya]

not sure if the 98gtx are "green" in upholstery colors, but defintly know, that there were "maroon" ones, that leads to being a 951cc, which has the 155mm pump assy.