- Location
- Charlotte, NC
Encouraging words as I'm about to turf my freak haha. I think I'm gonna go with smooth turf on the gunnals so I don't have to worry about keeping the diamonds uniform haha. Yours looks good though!
BA Freak (155 conversion) & carbon circus
- Thread starter DylanS
- Start date
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Thanks!
Good luck!
If I were to do it again I would do like Don did on his red freak and use the smooth turf to do the harder areas and blend it better. I might redo it this winter.
- Location
- Minnesota
Looks good! Did you cut templates first or? I have to returf this winter too
Always make templates.That way you can make your mistakes on them
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Yup, just like Don said, templates first. Three layers of tape minimum or it’ll be hard to transfer from ski to turf
I knew I’d mess it up so I actually cut my first template out on a piece of b grade. Just the very top not the whole thing so I could check my fitment. Then I traced it on my good turf and made my corrections plus a little extra.
Once the rail line was stuck on I just worked it down over the sides. I like to really press all my ends down into the edges/corners to get a nice crease so I can cut it a tiny bit too big. Then I use my fingers or a flat edge to work that slight overlap down into the edge of the next piece of turf to get a “seamless” edge to edge fit. If I wasn’t a sped I think it could’ve came out reallly nice but I’ll take it for now !
- Location
- Minnesota
Nice job! I actually made templates for my superjet and fx1 as I did them, actually kept them in a separate box now just in case I returf in a few years the hard work is done already lolYup, just like Don said, templates first. Three layers of tape minimum or it’ll be hard to transfer from ski to turf
I knew I’d mess it up so I actually cut my first template out on a piece of b grade. Just the very top not the whole thing so I could check my fitment. Then I traced it on my good turf and made my corrections plus a little extra.
Once the rail line was stuck on I just worked it down over the sides. I like to really press all my ends down into the edges/corners to get a nice crease so I can cut it a tiny bit too big. Then I use my fingers or a flat edge to work that slight overlap down into the edge of the next piece of turf to get a “seamless” edge to edge fit. If I wasn’t a sped I think it could’ve came out reallly nice but I’ll take it for now !
Big Kahuna
Administrator
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
Turf looks good. Dont see anything wrong with it.
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
I appreciate it, I tried to only take pictures of the good spots
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Ok, so good and bad news.
Good news, pump fits awesome, almost better than anticipated. Perfect alignment with the CF tool.
The hood is cleaned up enough for me to send it out for paint; it’s not perfect but I did my best and I learned a lot.
As far as the “bad” news goes I had to fight hell to get the cooling lines on and will have to fight them every single time I go to pull and install the pump. It is tighhht with that 155 in there.
The ride plate of course is giving me issues. I skinned it in carbon and was so excited before I realized that there is no bolt hole recessions. It’s flat lol. Not a huge deal, I’ll just have to pick up some stainless button head bolts tomorrow for a lower profile.
I also had to use mega nuts to space it up off the ski to get a measurement so I can have proper spacers cut out. I could grind the bottom of the pump down to help with fitment but I’d really rather not and the plate itself fits pretty nice to the body line of the ski.
The intake grate also has a large overhang at the shoe. I’m going to have to bring it down with a grinder.
Worst news, my xmetal trim doesn’t fit and I even made the ring trick as hell.
Now I have to use my stinky old RRP ring until I can finance a newer system .
Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel
Try not to look to close at the pictures lol, the guy who painted the ski did zero prep work to the parts I patched and butchered the paint. Not sure what he was thinking
For sure redoing the bottom deck myself next year unfortunately
Good news, pump fits awesome, almost better than anticipated. Perfect alignment with the CF tool.
The hood is cleaned up enough for me to send it out for paint; it’s not perfect but I did my best and I learned a lot.
As far as the “bad” news goes I had to fight hell to get the cooling lines on and will have to fight them every single time I go to pull and install the pump. It is tighhht with that 155 in there.
The ride plate of course is giving me issues. I skinned it in carbon and was so excited before I realized that there is no bolt hole recessions. It’s flat lol. Not a huge deal, I’ll just have to pick up some stainless button head bolts tomorrow for a lower profile.
I also had to use mega nuts to space it up off the ski to get a measurement so I can have proper spacers cut out. I could grind the bottom of the pump down to help with fitment but I’d really rather not and the plate itself fits pretty nice to the body line of the ski.
The intake grate also has a large overhang at the shoe. I’m going to have to bring it down with a grinder.
Worst news, my xmetal trim doesn’t fit
and I even made the ring trick as hell.Now I have to use my stinky old RRP ring until I can finance a newer system .
Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel
Try not to look to close at the pictures lol, the guy who painted the ski did zero prep work to the parts I patched and butchered the paint. Not sure what he was thinking
For sure redoing the bottom deck myself next year unfortunately
Attachments
Last edited:
Big Kahuna
Administrator
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
The ride plates can be a bitch. I had to grind my pump and the plate and that was with a 148 Torrent!!!!!!!
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Had to fabricate up a new MSD system mounting plate because my enclosed box doesn’t fit in the freak. I hate to have it all exposed but after having this exact setup sit under water for 18 months and still fire plugs I can’t see it being much of a issue
Having multiple good grounds is what’s really important with these things of course.
Went as minimalistic as possible while trying to keep distance between brain and coils.
I used some sheet aluminum I had laying around then laid everything out and went to town.
A little piece of cutdown watcon hood seal functions well as a gasket for the dip switches.
Gave it a brushed finish..
Having multiple good grounds is what’s really important with these things of course.
Went as minimalistic as possible while trying to keep distance between brain and coils.
I used some sheet aluminum I had laying around then laid everything out and went to town.
A little piece of cutdown watcon hood seal functions well as a gasket for the dip switches.
Gave it a brushed finish..
Attachments
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Had a buddy weld up these little stainless doodads and hacked the heads off the bolts and ground them flat. Using 3m panel bond for the backs and hot glue to hold them in position until they set. Then I’ll probably throw about 3 circular layers of 6oz carbon over them and we should be ballin’
Not posting pics of the engine bay for 2 reasons..
1. I have a nice carbon core head on the way
2. I have the current head on backwards lol, wasn’t paying attention when I pulled head last I guess (these things happen when you’re a little slow)
Not posting pics of the engine bay for 2 reasons..
1. I have a nice carbon core head on the way
2. I have the current head on backwards lol, wasn’t paying attention when I pulled head last I guess (these things happen when you’re a little slow)
Attachments
- Location
- Minnesota
Bad. Ass.
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
“Nice” carbon core head shows up.. lol.
Nice as in sharpied in letters with the worlds pooptiest epoxy work
Guess I should’ve known better, I fix later
Nice as in sharpied in letters with the worlds pooptiest epoxy work
Guess I should’ve known better, I fix later
Attachments
Last edited:
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Ok, here’s where it’s at, I’ve been struggling to find time to work on it this last week.
Engine is in and shimmed, no major issues there, went with the 30* of timing adv on the stator plate. Waiting on a ACTUAL nice thrust head I bought from @Aquaholic to show up at my door.
I got the plates epoxied in for the Tl system and covered them in 4 layers of 6oz then sanded the edges down. Not the prettiest work but I’ll take it.
I got the pipe situated and strapped down. I use standard rubber straps w/ S hooks because I’m cheap and they’re easily sourced. Just picked up some stainless L brackets and bolted them fast.
Pole tubes are In. I used 1 1/2” subpump tubing it’s like 15 for 10 foot of the stuff. All the cables are routed up the pole and I can see my throttle cable will be short somehow.
Steering system is on and cable hooked up, waiting on new bars.
As of now I need to:
- Finish routing wires/install on off switch
- Install bilge and drill outlet
- figure out battery placement
- exhaust tube from wb to thru hull (waiting on carbs and manifolds still) and possibly strap wb down
- install carbs and manifold
- lines and cleanup
- install bars etc.
Very close.. everything you see in there minus coupler cover/ motor mounts / midshaft sat underwater for a longgg time.
I’m supposed to be going to the lake for a week at the beginning of august so I may be buying a temporary set of carbs and manifold..
Engine is in and shimmed, no major issues there, went with the 30* of timing adv on the stator plate. Waiting on a ACTUAL nice thrust head I bought from @Aquaholic to show up at my door.
I got the plates epoxied in for the Tl system and covered them in 4 layers of 6oz then sanded the edges down. Not the prettiest work but I’ll take it.
I got the pipe situated and strapped down. I use standard rubber straps w/ S hooks because I’m cheap and they’re easily sourced. Just picked up some stainless L brackets and bolted them fast.
Pole tubes are In. I used 1 1/2” subpump tubing it’s like 15 for 10 foot of the stuff. All the cables are routed up the pole and I can see my throttle cable will be short somehow.
Steering system is on and cable hooked up, waiting on new bars.
As of now I need to:
- Finish routing wires/install on off switch
- Install bilge and drill outlet
- figure out battery placement
- exhaust tube from wb to thru hull (waiting on carbs and manifolds still) and possibly strap wb down
- install carbs and manifold
- lines and cleanup
- install bars etc.
Very close.. everything you see in there minus coupler cover/ motor mounts / midshaft sat underwater for a longgg time.
I’m supposed to be going to the lake for a week at the beginning of august so I may be buying a temporary set of carbs and manifold..
Attachments
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Thanks Don!
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Much better!!! 
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Hopefully picking up my carbs/battery tomorrow. Then I have to source me some sunoco race gas and I’m ready to have my ski break on the first day of my week long trip 
DylanS
Gorilla Smasher
- Location
- Lebanon Pa
Ed drove out to meet me tonight to deliver me these sexy brand new 50’s, super stoked.
Got to talk with him for awhile, very cool guy, can always learn something new talking to him.
Oh and he showed me his sick ass RC plane lol
Got to talk with him for awhile, very cool guy, can always learn something new talking to him.
Oh and he showed me his sick ass RC plane lol
