Rebuilding the Grape Ape!

Hey guys! I bought the one and only grape ape about a year ago. She was in decent shape but deserved some love! This winter I decided to tear her completely down and I’m sure glad I did!

Rebuilt the heavy hitting xscream 1200 with all the secret sauce! Once I got in I found, a nice top end with a very rough crank! Sent the crank of the c57racing and they did a wonderful job! I bought all new gaskets, seals, pistons and rings and she’s now better than new!

Motor specs:
C2 1200
Full spec 49s
Pfp pipe
Msd total loss
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When I bought it it had a 148 skat mag in it which did great! Never held Micheal Ratti back by the looks of it. But decided that’s the only thing that could hold this ski back. I ripped the pump shoe out ( MAJOR PAIN) and went ahead and ordered a brand new skat 155 setback mag pump and xscream ls-10 trim system for it from @High Speed Industries. I ordered a rrp pump shoe also. I’m excited to see the difference between the 148 to 155! Hope it’s a big difference! Waiting on pump and trim to get here!
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I found a small crack in the hull when I pulled the motor from the bedplate hitting. Laid some carbon down and vacuumed it down! Should be good to go for many years!
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Last but not least, some will cry when they see this…. The bottom of the hull was really scratched up when I bought it but top wasn’t bad. Let’s just say after some experimenting I had a issue with the paint because messed up and it lead me to having to repaint. No worries I ordered the exact paint that was used originally. House of kolor… paints no joke $600 in just paint and where are ready to go. After a few weekend of priming and sanding it’s finally where I want it. This paint job going to turn out amazing! First time doing any real priming, paint but I have a buddy helping that is a Painter at Cadillac so I think it will turn out great!
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Primer is all done! Should be in the paint booth in two weeks hopefully! Pump and trim should be here in 2-3 also so we will have this back together in no time! This has been one long project but there was no corners or expense cut. This ski should be better than new!
 

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Jr.

Standing Tall
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You cant see anything from those pix. Hand porting will be in the transfer ports looking in from the under side and the main exhaust ports

Chucky was at one of the races years ago when Ratti was competing on the Ape. We were discussing motors as guys like us do. He went into some detail about this motor and the amount of detail he put into it. So, yea, it has Chucky’s magic touch, hand porting to take it to the next level. Your pretty lucky to have this, and be able to bring it back to all its glory! Hope you enjoy it for many years to come!

P
 
Chucky was at one of the races years ago when Ratti was competing on the Ape. We were discussing motors as guys like us do. He went into some detail about this motor and the amount of detail he put into it. So, yea, it has Chucky’s magic touch, hand porting to take it to the next level. Your pretty lucky to have this, and be able to bring it back to all its glory! Hope you enjoy it for many years to come!

P
Thanks man! I love the ski! Thanks for the info love hearing about the ole grape ape!
 
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