Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

Just a probably dumb question.. but does anyone know if the v drives is the same for the 330hp motor and the 450 hp motor? This is literally the biggest thing that bugs me about my 2013 a22 recon edition boat. The no surfgate also bugs me a little bit, but with missions surf side panels I can live without it.
I am tossing around ideas about a possible boat upgrade to a new nautique 230, but that's a tough bill to swallow when I do still love my boat now, other than a couple minor things. Does anyone know what all is involved to upgrade the motor? I'm thinking I'd need the motor, wiring harnesses? And maybe new gauges? And maybe the v drive? Thanks for entertaining a farfetched idea for me lol

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I'm 90% sure it's a different ratio drive, have you tried different props or do you run a ton of ballast?

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Yes I have the highest torque prop on. With my pnp w/750s and about 600 lbs of lead thru out and 2 ppl in the boat it will just get on plane. Anymore people and I have to get them to run to the bow to plane out. And it is always a struggle to plane out. Just looking at options.. if I can upgrade the motor for 15-20g vs. The 130g to upgrade... lol!

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The struggle is real lol.. 330hp just doesnt cut it for me either.. Im running the 2315 prop, but Im about to pull the trigger on the Acme 2953.

I think it would be cheaper to sell your boat and buy the same boat with the 450hp motor..

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Agreed. And less of a headache too.

If your thinking 15-20k put that towards a boat upgrade no need for a 130k nautique though unless your just dead set on being the baller on the lake.

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The 330 and 450 have different engine blocks, bolt pattern is essentially the same but flywheel depth is different at the crankshaft, by about 1/2" Engine mounts will be different and I'm not sure but I'd bet the gear ratio in the transmission is different too. Probably be better off selling outright and getting 14' and up with the 450 and surfgate. Unless your dealer will give you a good trade in deal, mine lowballed the hell out of me so I just kept what I had and made a mission myself for 40$. You could probably do the swap for less than 15k but getting a dealer with someone willing to tackle the wiring will be the biggest challenge, short of buying the software and doing it yourself it's probably just a matter of getting the modules to communicate on the can bus.

It would be cheaper to pull the engine and install a stroker short block(383) and a good set of cylinder heads. This is something any reputable engine shop can do and you could easily make over 400 hp but more importantly( for pulling weight) a very good torque curve with the right cam selection. The fuel injection system on your boat is closed loop so it would need to be reprogrammed but there are a few guys out there that have a good library of these modifications and you can just ship your engine controller to them and plug it in when it comes back. If you go this route it will bolt right back in, do a little Internet research a lot of the guys with the smaller Baja's etc are doing this type of modification all the time.

I have a 2014 a22 with the 450. It is a beast! I love that motor! I run full sacks and at least 600 in the rears (not 100% sure?). Planes super fast and easy. But maybe we are at different elevation as I have heard many are happy with the monsoon. Either way I would test drive before I sink 15-20k in a motor swap or a boat swap.