New 550 sx freestyle project

T

txfreestyle

Location
Austin, TX
So I was gonna build a RN and out of no where I decided last night to build a 550 freestyle ski, so I went and bought a 550. I am looking for input from others on what I should do with it. I have wanted to do a backflip for 4 years and I am gonna do it with a 550 hull. I plan on putting a 750 motor, pipe, impeller ect. but I am looking for some input from more experienced people than me. Also if you have any tips on parts for sale for the conversion and such let me know. I ordered the conversion plate and footholds last night. I need to get motor electrics etc. Also from those who ride surf I want to build the ski to be reliable in salt water as well
 
fastgtfairlane

fastgtfairlane

Location
Charlotte, NC
if you want to backflip on a boatwake or flatwater, do yourself a favor and ditch the 550... dont get me wrong, i have a 550 thats all worked over and modifiedand its a blast to ride but its never gonna backflip... again the 550 can be a super fun ski but never a backflip machine without TONS of work..everything you see in that build posted above plus a pump swap at very least... the superjet will take a lot of work too just no pump grafting and engine alignment and such...
 
T

txfreestyle

Location
Austin, TX
Thanks for the advice. I have 4 X2s in the garage with another donor X2. I had never owned the 550 just 650s and 750s. I pulled the pump out of the x2 to see if it would fit and NO!!!! I thought about cutting the whole fiberglass deal out of the x2 and put it in the 550 because I know the 550 pump wont handle the big motor also the x2 has the trim. I realized I have a lot of flippin work to do. Oh well!!!
 
iangdesign

iangdesign

Cats, lots of cats!
Location
United States
Mobile Chernobyl said:
If you want a "Backflip On a Budget" drop a SJ 705 engine in an old 300sx. I heard that was the way to go! ;)
Click to expand...

You mean a BOB right? Haha!

There are tons of threads and people wanting to do a backflip on a JS/SX hull and they all seem to fizzle.

Good luck though...post lots a pics and vids when you flip it!
 
T

txfreestyle

Location
Austin, TX
I have tto agree with jet pilot. Screw it this is the plan and I will spend money untill im upside down. I havent seen a video yet of a backflip on a 550 so I guess I will be the leader. Screw it I have nothing better to do! And whats money if you dont have a badass ski. someone sell me a motor I cant find crap.I was measuring yesterday to see if a 900 would fit but i dont think the 550 hull is gonna cut the mustard. thanks for all the responses I ll get pics up soon so you can laugh at me
 
Mobile Chernobyl

Mobile Chernobyl

Location
1 Mile High in Colorado
Coming from someone who's a little farther along in the process of modifying a 550sx - just buy a square nose super jet with a 701 in it!

IMHO:

Time on water learning new skills and tricks > Time spent modifying a 550 to do a backflip

I'm just glad I also have a semi-working 440 to mess around with on the water otherwise I probably wouldn't have any reason to justify a means to all this work.

-Don't take it as an insult lol
 
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T

tensecrnr

boost everything
Location
LA$ VEGA$
i say go for it...anything can be done its just gonna take money and some balls...u might have to cut down the 550 hull...add some tubbies up front...but need to brace the hell out of it...where the engine compartment meets the tray it will break...dont give up rock it...hit up mark gomez he had a sick 550...very rollable and i think flipable...
 
jd91t

jd91t

Location
Kansas City
Heck ya do it!
750s can make north of 90hp relatively easily.
And a 650 pump/tunnel sxr prop should deliver the thrust necessary.
I built a conversion ski, and loved it. 650motor, but only a 440pump :(
Very nimble/trick able hull, and the 650cc power was spot on.
The pump thrust was lacking heavily tho.. I rode 1 gooood running Sj, parted the Kawi, and built myself a Sj..
love my Sj too. I would like to to a real deal conversion 550 again someday though..
 
Joker

Joker

...chaos? Its Fair!
Location
La Porte, Indiana
txfreestyle said:
I have tto agree with jet pilot. Screw it this is the plan and I will spend money untill im upside down. I havent seen a video yet of a backflip on a 550 so I guess I will be the leader. Screw it I have nothing better to do! And whats money if you dont have a badass ski. someone sell me a motor I cant find crap.I was measuring yesterday to see if a 900 would fit but i dont think the 550 hull is gonna cut the mustard. thanks for all the responses I ll get pics up soon so you can laugh at me
Click to expand...

Mark Gomez backflipped a 550
 
Mobile Chernobyl

Mobile Chernobyl

Location
1 Mile High in Colorado
The only realistic way to flip a 550 is in the surf (and that is the only way its been known to be done before) , and if you had a good running STOCKish 550sx, experience flipping from other skis, and a set of cojones you could probably do it with a good wave. A flatwater flipping 550 is going to be a big money hole as stock the hulls weigh about 80 pounds and need a good amount of reinforcing. Your looking at close to a 90 pound hull before you put a bigger (heavier) motor into it. It's likely it would weigh well over 300lbs by the time you fiberglassed a new pump tunnel into it and put the new pump and engine into it, not to mention it's length is sort of counterproductive too at all of 84 inches - so it's sort of like chasing your own tail in my opinion - starting out with a 300sx is a no-brainer for doing backflips on flat water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mic1W0OkS6Q&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICJa-7_pyNk&feature=plcp
 
T

txfreestyle

Location
Austin, TX
Well I have not given up on the dream all of my parts came in and we are still working on it however I did find a rediculously awsome deal on two sn superjets. One is a stock 650 but the other is a 701, milled head, B pipe, impeller, intake grate, footholds, aluminum short pole, msd ignitor and what else mmmm dont remember..... Anyway I now want to backflip the sn and the 550 so any suggestions on upgrades for the 701 sn????
 
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