boweryboy

Thanks Dan, I have contacted them and several others and still need to get the casting number on my block and heads to make sure I get the right replacement engine. It is crazy that the Chaparral dealer which has a full service marina including an extensive mechanic team is only willing to do a $40K "plug and play" repair on a $100+ boat they sold me. This is a blemish on my marina, Chaparral and Volvo Penta as they can't figure out a less then $40K repair solution between the three of them when in a few searches I (and you) came up a something that will cost lest then 1/4 of the price all in. I will now and forever stay away from Volvo Penta and possibly Chaparral. Ps. I have calls and cases open with VolvoPenta and Chaparral customer response and will keep people posted on their response and recommendations. Bill

Hi all, I currently own a 2014 Chaparral 277SSX with a Volvo Penta 380 (6.0L) and recently had a catastrophic engine failure after only 250 hours of operations. The motor just quite running while cruising at 25 mph and then wouldn't even crank. It looks like something internal failed in the lower end. After bringing the boat back to the dealer I purchased it from, I was informed that Volvo Penta recommends replacing the power unit and will only sell me the entire PU which includes all the accessories and outdrive for a whopping $38K!!! I begged the marina to beg Volvo Penta to sell me a long block only but I was told Volvo Penta discontinued the 6.0L and the only certified repair that Volvo Penta would stand behind is a total repower and a $38K price tag. I have called several Volvo Penta authorized marine engine suppliers and they all confirmed that Volvo Penta will not sell a motor only or long block replacement for the 380 or 430's and will only sell the complete PU. This is absurd! Any other IO like Mercury's would be a $5K long block replacement. Has anyone experienced this craziness? I will never buy another Volvo Penta product and caution anyone considering the Volvo Penta over a Mercury IO to consider the repair and replacement risk with Volvo Penta! Bill

Thanks for all your feedback and thoughts. I am definitely not looking to brake any offshore speed records, just looking for a little more punch and top speed. The boat tops out around 50mph and was hoping to add another 100 to 150 both on hp and possibly get up to a top speed of just over 60 mph which would allow a more comfortable cruising speed on low 50's. I have contemplated trading in the boat for the new 307 with dual 380's which would put me right in that speed zonbe but double the gas consumption (no big deal I guess). I contacted Vortech and they do not have a kit for the Penta 380 yet. I have seen many stock LS1 and LS2 Corvette's with Magnuson Root style superchargers added with no adverse affects over 100K miles of usage. They only deliver 6 to 8 lbs of boost and don't stress the motor too much., I have a Cadillac CTS-V with the supercharged LSA and have it maxed out with tuning, smaller pulleys and air box and it made almost 700hp. I have 75K miles on it and it runs like a dream. I guess no shop has developed a solution for this motor yet. I'll keep looking or bite the bullet and upgrade to the 307 SSX. The 277SSx is a great boat and I love it. I just wish it had a little more power.

I was wondering if anyone has added a magnuson root supercharger or a vortex supercharger to the Volvo Penta 380. This is a very common bolt on to this GM motor in cars and adds a very reliable 100 to 150+ horsepower to the engine. I would assume we would need the manufacturer of the the supercharger to make the kit and someone to offer ecm programming. I have done a search but did not find anyone offering this kit. Eaton and Edlebrock both offer kits for the car that preserve the manufacturer (GM) warranty. Bill