Should I be Concerned?

[Just Tom]

Have received help on my setup on this board for a while and got some really good feedback. However, it would have probably helped if I put the right info about my setup! I have posted that I have a '96 20xd w/ '02 225x and a "SPORTMASTER" 1.87 lower unit, I was wrong! I have a CLE 1.87 lower unit and man do I feel DUMB! Have never heard of a CLE until I read post on here and did some research. Don't know the major differenance between the two and if I should be concerned. Below is the history of what has been done to my motor and what I am getting out of it, any feedback would be welcomed.

Compression: 132 on #4 and 135 on the rest
Leak down test: 5% at 100 psi across the board
Reeds and injectors inspected: all good
Plugs: New NGK BPR8EIX
Front of Cowling modified to allow air flow through holes behind plastic ID plate
New fuel filter
checked Throttle system to ensure WOT and proper settings
All Sensors Tested
Spark gap test
Poppet valve guts removed and discharge line redirected to flush out connection on top of motor

results:
26P chopper 3-blade, 3/4 above pad, 1/2 tank fuel, live wells 1/2, 2-people
Could not get on plane without one person going to front of boat
Top speed: 78 GPS, 6400 rpms (98 degrees air temp), Water PSI 15

26P TXP OT4, same set up as above,
No problem getting on plane
Top speed 74 GPS, 5850 rpms, Water PSI 15

[Allison225]

First thing you need to do is have that CLE coned if you plan on keeping it i know its already is a pointed lower with low water pickup but the troble with the CLE is that they are to short and are prone to blow out around the 90mph mark and you dont want that if it was me i would have a bobs put on it and keep it they are a tough lower

[20xdBake]

I have the same combo as you do. 04 20xd/ 04 225x.

How much set back you running? It sounds like you need to come up higher but I don't know if the CLE will handle it?

I ran a 27 txp yesterday. 1.5" above the pad with 14" setback. The prop is to stiff for my rig since I could only swing it to 6000 but that was 81 mph with 2 people and loaded to fish. Very lazy out of the hole. Wide open I was 25 psi.

I run a 28 BC chopper normally, 1.5" above the pad with the same water pressure. I can swing that one to 6800 with 2 people in the boat 80 to 82 mph. That prop doesn't carry the load as well and slips quite a bit.

I would think that 26 txp would be the ticket for that rig. The one I ran carried the boat real well, I just needed to drop a size. I would try to raise the motor to at least 1 and 1/4" above the pad, but keep an eye on your water pressure.

[Just Tom]

Have a 10" rapid jack with 2" spacers, Had the mechanic that checked everything for me take it out and run it this weekend since I am working offshore right now. but I wanted to make sure it was ok to raise the CLE higher (I have read where the CLE will blow out, some say between 80 -85 and others say above 90).

[Allison225]

You guys can do what you want with those stock CLEs BUT UNLESS YOU GET THEM CONED its not if it blows out its when its gonna blow out and you get hurt keep that thing buried. like i said there a tough case and will handle surfacing a prop. the CLE was Mrecs worst case ever designed but the internals are great

[20xdBake]

You know more about a CLE than I do brother, never ran one myself. I run a 1.87 sportmaster on the same rig he does and if he wants it to run he needs to go up. From the way it sounds, he needs to get it coned or get a sporty to do it

[Just Tom]

Thanks for all the feedback, gonna keep the cle the rest of this year and upgrade in spring. but am probably going to go ahead and have a nose cone put on and play with the height.

[Allison225]

I think A coned CLE will out perform a sportmaster Thats just my opinion

[JaySmithRacing]

I ran a stock CLE ( except for skeg work ) when I was racing , it ran over 110 in the quarter from a standing stop , NEVER had one issue with a blow out on 3 different Mirage hulls!

Also won World and High Points championships in 1400 Modified Production back to back years.

One year I won World there were 52 boats in the class not some 10 boat field like now days !

Just my experance with the CLE gear case. Like Ripleys believe it or not...

Jay