OUTLAW EAGLE MANUFACTURING

[El Prosecutor]

I am running a mild 455 Olds with a Berk 12JC mostly for waterskiing & wakeboarding.
I ruined my original Berkeley "A" impeller when my thrust bearing failed from lack of maintenance.
Live and learn.
I am going to replace the impeller and wear ring and have been given conflicting advice as to size and brand of impeller I should use.
I am more interested in "zip" than top speed.
At this point I am probably going to get an American Turbine "A" impeller with a shouldered wear ring, unless one of you guys would be kind enough to tell me why another setup would be better.

If you want to see pics of the carnage:
http://www2.hotboat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102560

[AR]

I have an old Cobra Jet that I bought new with a 403 Olds, Berkeley jet with an "A" aluminum impeller that I use for the same thing.

I've replaced the impeller a couple times and always go back to the same thing. I've got other impellers laying on the shelf but why change a good thing. I run mine in the river that is 3 to 6 foot deep, the boat runs 52 mph and will pull three guys on a Sloam or two guys Barefoot'n.

Your boat with a 455 Olds is probably 3 mph faster. An Olds makes good low end, but has a poor oiling system and does not like to be turned over 5000 rpm. Good Luck !



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[El Prosecutor]

[AR]

What are you turning for RPM now, 4600/4800 is my guess ? If you go to a "AA" you will lose another 300/400 RPM and be on the low end of the power band. The "A" is a good all around impeller. When you get your pump re-built and tightened up, you'll think you have a new boat.

I like the Plastic Stepped Wear Ring that Hi-Tech has, but that's just me. You will have a little set-up with the stepped wear ring, you know ?

The high oil temp has always been a problem you just didn't know it. The harder you work the motor the higher the oil temp. You should use a straight weight oil and 30 weight was recommended by most of the boat manufactures that used the Olds/ Jet package.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it and if it worked good before it will probably work good again.

Like Wilson says, " Wisdom Chases Me, But I'm Faster"


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[El Prosecutor]

[AR]

Hey El Pro ,
Check your pm.........

[AR]

Unless you're a "Racer" looking for that last .00X of a second,

Buying a specific brand impeller is like buying a new pair of shoes,when you get them home they will be the best ones you have!

The most expensive may not always be the best.

my $ .02

[El Prosecutor]

Thanks AR, I may give Duane at HTP a call. I am beginning to think your right about over-analyzing brands etc., and I need to "just do it".
Thanks again,
EP

[Xerophobic]

Interesting topic as I too am in the market for a full pump rebuild and a switch to SS.
Anyone care to give us a little more knowledge perhaps from someone with alot of experience in racing or otherwise? Are there SS ones to avoid? Ive heard agresssors are not as good as original Berks?
What type of wear ring is best for running skinny water etc?

Cheers

[TOP DAWG]

Roger Kehoe ( I think that's the wrong spelling ) builds what I believe was called CLEMENTS. These are supposed to be one of the better SS or Steel impellers from what I have been told, I have never run one, but I am sure someone can enlighten us and let us know how to contact Roger.

[Thirsty]

Clement Impeller will be the last one you will have to buy for a long time, I mostly run the Upper Red Deer River in a 19 Eagle Step Tec, the things can handle a lot of gravel chewing.

[AR]

An Aluminum, a Bronze, and a Stainless Steel all being new with a new wear ring and the same size will all three do exactly the same thing !

The Bronze will out last the Aluminum and the Stainless will out last them both.

That being said, if you are running the stock grate in shallow water the Stainless is the way to go. It's just a matter of which one is the toughest.

If you are running a Loader with no rock grate like the Fiberglass guys do and suck up a Golf Ball size rock and drive it back to the ramp any one of the three will be junk by the time you get there.

As for an Aggressor Impeller size for size it pushes more water than the rest. In other words an "A" Aggressor would be equal to a "AA" Berkeley.
Most Drag Race records are held with a SS Aggressor.

Now if you decide to put a 1500 hp BBC in your Beer Can and turn it 7500 rpm stay away from an Aluminum Impeller, you'll blow the Blades of it on the first pass down the 1/4 mile. Under 550 hp they are all good, just the harder the material the longer they last. The important thing is check your rock grate and make sure its still there and in good shape.

If I was going to experiment with different pitch impellers I would start with a "AA" Aluminum and cut it till I found the right size then duplicate it and change to a SS. Cheaper that way.

again, my $ .02



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[TOP DAWG]

It has been my experience that cutting a SS impeller to match an aluminum one does not work. The SS seam to take more power to turn a same size impeller the same rpm.

[AR]

I agree, there is a weight factor here, but we are splitting hairs. What are you talking about 50 - 100 rpm ?

I've seen your boat run and in your race situation that is probably the difference from one place finish to another. But to most of us week-end non-racer want-a-be's Aluminum is 1/5 the price of SS to play with.

Hey, did you get your other Black Boat dried out ? You know the one with wheels !


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[AR]

Top,
You are absolutely right if you're going to put an impeller in a lath and cut it yourself be prudent and cut conservatively.

It's easier to remove material than to put back.

Can you imagine the guys that have a trim ring siliconed to the bowl experimenting very much with impellers ? Even if a set back pump didn't help you go forward, it would still be advantageous just from a maintance stand point let alone a little impeller tuning.


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