New M2 coming

Model E225DHLSCH Serial 5232575 2008 225HO

I went through several pages of posts looking for some actual numbers on changes in speed with the M2, I would really appreciate any input at all from folks who have changed or the board mods who have installed many I am sure. The reason I ask is should I shop around for an L2 if possible or not. I have not seen any failures yet in these parts of L2's without being self inflicted so maybe our lower usage helps, maybe.

For the first time in 12 years I have had to file an insurance claim, hit my lower unit damaging the shaft, case, prop etc. Will still go into reverse and forward but I know that the internals are most likely on a timer now :0) Hit too hard, on plane at about 35 to 40 mph.

Insurance is supplying new gearcase and apparently we can only order the M2 now. That does not bother me but I just bought/received 2 new props giving me a total of 4, all for the L2 case. And of course, since we usually, like a bunch of fools, spend tonnes of cash trying to gain a MPH or two, look twice when we know (in my case hear/read) that the M2, although stronger, seems to take away a MPH or two.

The M2 is coming for me so I know I will have one unless I locate a new L2 somewhere in some-body's stock but some input would be appreciated.

Thanks and good fishing.

A couple of updated posts from my M2 swap:

Well the TXP is a good choice! The one draw back is the amount of cavatation on break over. It will get to 6k on break over if you do not feather it. Other than that I was getting about 5sec HS's solo and 6sec HS's with LW's full. I got up to 79 on one run at 5800-5900 rpm! Most runs were in the 77.5-78.5 range depending on direction. It did not matter if the LW's were full or not for WOT #'s.

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Tried my 2 old props last night.
80* air, 64* water, no wind, river system. I ran up and down the current and averaged the speeds.
27p B+B'ed Temp +:
76mph avg.
5sec. HS
RPM on the limiter 6200ish
(with L2 lu 78mph with similar load @ 5800rpm)

26 Bravo1:
73.5mph avg.
4sec. HS
RPM on the limiter 6200ish
(with L2 lu 74mph with similar load @ 5800rpm)

This is with my medium to light load, solo (200#), 1/2 tank gas, full LW's.

Both props did feel like they lost a little nose lift but I also think it could be from getting to the rpm limiter when trimming up. I ran the props from 4" to 2.5" under the pad. The PtP distance really did not make much of a difference due to spinning both props to the limiter. I hope this info helps some of you guys.
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28p Bravo1 XS Outboard:
75-76 mph @ limiter 6100-6200 rpm
My normal load as decribed before but this time only 1/4 gas and LW's empty.
Decient HS but still has alot of blowout on break over and you have to feather it alot...not as bad as the TXP but you still need to watch it. This version of the Bravo has a shortend barrel with out a flare ring on the end. I think this is what is causing the HS problems. I might have a flare ring put on it, some tip cup added and another set of pvs holes added and keep this prop.

This sucker will lay you back in your seat! Mid range is awsome!

Bow lift is ok but it still does not have the bow lift like the other case did. I think that is going to be the natuer of the beast with this LU.

3.5" PTP was the sweet spot with this one. It kept me just ticking the limiter.

Once again this prop may be a keeper with a little work. For some of you guys that run on the heavy load side a 28p Bravo1 (not the XS version that I have) with dual PVS holes would be a prop to look into, if you want a good HS and great mid range. This sucker is only about 2-3 mph slower than the txp that I ran.

For right now I am still looking and thinking what else to try.
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The TXP may be my prop of choice if I can get the cavatation on break over down some. I am also going to test a 27p Razor3 next week and would like to get my hands on a 29 Temp+ also.

What props were you running before and at what RPM?

Thank you for your feedback, appreciate it.

Before on the L2 I was running a 25 and 26 Raker II, a 25 Fury and was going to try a new 26 Trophy. Best prop speed wise was the 26 Raker, 78.1 light load and 73 to 74.5 tournament load. RPMS were lower though at 5450. However, that was optimal conditions, regular conditions (high moisture being biggest thing) saw RPM and speed drop.

With the M2 I will of course turn a bigger prop and or get the RPMS up closer to 5800, hoping that in the end things will be fairly even. :)

Hole shot is important here with most lakes I fish on less than 5 miles long. Only a once or twice a year do we get onto water where we can run 30 to 60 miles. This is why I put on such low hours, takes longer to warm her up then run down the lake :) Have put on less than 80 hours since fall of 08 when I bought engine.

Looking forward to the M2 and to getting back on the water.

Mark, just a suggestion you might want to try a regular Bravo1 prop with 8PVS holes in it. That prop is a monster out of the hole and decient top speed. I would run the props you have 1st to see what you get from them then try to make a good guess on what prop to try next. If you were getting 5450 out of a prop before it should be close to 6000 now.

Boys I am not pleased with the 28TXP any more.....I had a chance to run it with a 2 man T-load and had to get my partner to stand on the bow to plane-out. Tooooo much blow-out on breakover! was getting a 76 mph avg during the day with this load.
I also had a chance to run a 27p Razor 3 this weekend:
80* air, 75* water.
2 men (#400), full LW's, 3/8-1/2 gas, medium T load.
A good HS....I wish I would have timed it but I would say 6-7 sec. The prop spooled up to 3000 then on break over up to 5200 and never let off of it.
Lift was OK...but I have not found a prop yet that REALLY fly's the bow on this gear case.
Speed was 76.5 on avg. @ 6200 rpm. That is +.5mph over the 28p TXP 3 blade!

I dont know why but even tho it is a smaller diameter prop on this bigger gear case it worked better than the larger diameter and 1" larger pitched TXP. I might be ordering a 28p Razor3... but I just dont know yet, I still want to try a 29 Temp+.

M2 case isn't the speed.demon. as its cousin. I lost 3- 4 mph easy. Feels like .Lot more.drag and less fuel economy. My opinion Sucks!

I have not had time to run mine yet outside of yesterday's tournament as M2 was installed just Friday past so I have no firm data but I put a new 26" Trophy plus and had terrible topend, 15% slip according to calculator which seems high for a new out of the box prop but hey, who knows.

Getting some bigger props shortly to do some better test runs.