No more SST120's from Merc ?????

**WharfRat** · 06-21-2005

from Tim Seebold's website:

"We have bought the 2 last engines from Mercury, you better be quick if you want a complete engine" Says Tim Seebold

So email me on seebold@stlmo.com or call me on (636) 349 2316

**Ron Hill** · 06-21-2005

I don't see a problem...but then again, I seldom see problems...If the "BRAIN TRUST" of OPC would open up STOCK BLOCKS...with Wiseso pistons, an average SST 120 driver could cut the cost of their engines by 75%.....

Right now, as I see it, you have to buy a 122 cubic inch 120 motor from Mercury RACING...I bought a 122 cubic inch Mercury V-6 last winter for the price of hauling it off...

I'm a carb size man and a CC/deck height man...let you do what you want between the carbs and heads...but then again, no one in our family ever ran SST 120.....

From what I hear about the "NEW" 2006 motors, is that they take about 10 seconds to built up pressure before they start, then saound like sewing machines.....So, they drop the starting flag, the starter says, "They're off." and 10 seconds later everyone takes off........hmmm..progress..

**David Mason** · 06-22-2005

Isn't the Yamaha legal ?

Also, I do think you can get fishing blocks and convert them to raceing for SST120, I don't see the trouble there ? Already being done I thought. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

I know of a lot of bass boats with 2.0 and 2.5's on them. I assume this is the same basic block used in racing.

**TabaraRacing12** · 06-22-2005

As of now you cannot use a regular 2.0L for SST120, you must have a SST120 block. An SST120 block is actually a 2.5 casting with 2.0 Liners put into it. The ports between a 2.0 fishing motor and the 2.0 SST120 block are extremely different. As for my opinion on the motor rules of SST120, well the so called "STOCK" block has to have around 3-4,000 dollars in machine work before you can start putting parts in it. SST120 is not a "STOCK" class by any means. You can easily invest 20,000 "with labor"

in SST120 for 1 "Good" powerhead Steve Tabara

**spn#43** · 06-22-2005

And now they are talking about downsizing CHAMP to not so STOCK 120 power?????
DON’T LIKE THE IDEA AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!

**Shaun Torrente** · 06-23-2005

Originally Posted by spn#43

And now they are talking about downsizing CHAMP to not so STOCK 120 power?????
DON’T LIKE THE IDEA AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!

It is obvious the current champ package does not work... we are trying to come up with a positive economically viable solution, and when i say we i mean the drivers... Page do not knock it until we all sit down and discuss as a group in bay city...

See you there!
Shaun

**Shaun Torrente** · 06-23-2005

Originally Posted by TabaraRacing12

As for my opinion on the motor rules of SST120, well the so called "STOCK" block has to have around 3-5,000 dollars in machine work before you can start putting parts in it. SST120 is not a "STOCK" class by any means. You can easily invest 20,000

in SST120 for 1 "Good" powerhead Steve Tabara

This is not true at all, if you are spending 3-5000K in machine work something is wrong.... If anything the rules are more restrictive than ever with the addition of the exhaust port template.... I can tell you the only problem with the 120 class is the upkeep on the engine not the "modification" of it.... Because of the rpm that we turn i am having to change pistons every 3 races and rod bolts every race.... Also if you would like i will sell any of my powerheads dressed ready to drop on for 15k since you are investing 20k

Shaun

**Ray Lumpkin** · 07-01-2005

Well I see some things never change. APBA and manfactures always oboslete all your equipment. And they wonder why OPC doesnt have any boat racers! I raced SST120 in the 80s. Great class great engine. Ran for 2 years with no engine problems. Then they wanted to go to SST140. Changed all the rules. Obsoleted my 4 powerheads, 3 superspeed master right hand units( they wanted only left units) all my props. I bought all SST140 stuff, first race I smoked a new SST140 power head I just got from Mercury. That was it, I quit. Over the years I raced 15 different classes most of the rules and motors changed . And they wonder why!!!

**TabaraRacing12** · 07-01-2005

I understand where you are coming from. OPC is in a world of hurt right now. Champ is struggeling with only 14 boats showing up as being scored with only 3-4 maybe at most 5 boats on the lead lap. I raced Sport C then SST-70 for 5+ years and then sold out to go car racing, nobody wanted to step up and race with me in 70's, I finally had it when I had to beg the 60 guys to step up and run, when only 2 others said they would leaving me a field of 3 70's while there were another 5-7 60 boats there, that finally boiled the pot and within a month my stuff was gone. Spent 2 years racing dirt track and realized I loved boat racing to much to just give up on it. I have a 120 boat now, sits in the garage, waiting for a motor to bolt onto my mid, but at the current costs of racing, it will be a while before it gets out of the garage. I could go on and on and list things that arent helping the sport, but it doesnt do any good to complain on here. I think there are many changes that could be made in Champ/SST120/OPC to help out in the rising costs of boat racing but in the end it comes down to trying to save a sport. We need numbers but its hard to get numbers when it costs so much to race competitively in most classes.

**Ray Lumpkin** · 07-01-2005

I was OPC region 4 chairman for about 5 years. I got an engine freeze voted in by the drivers in some classes. Theses class grew because the drivers knew that their engine was going to be good for 5 years. Not everyone is rich and can buy new stuff every year! What kind of boat do you have? I have a 1990 SST120 engine. I quess its obsolete now. I enjoy just looking at it and remembering. I would like to find a good tunnel for it and take one more ride.