Aussie V-Drive Lover

[paranoid]

Hi guys,
Have stumbled upon this site and I think it is great. Very informative and the guys on here are a wealth of knowledge. I am in the middle of restoring what we call here a ZD Cobra. They were made from late seventies until late eighties in Melbourne. I have managed to track the builder down and he has told me they are a copy of a Sleekcraft Rebel. He used them quite successfully for ski racing and they were also a very popular social ski boat. Mine is powered by a nice SBC of around 357 cubes and runs a 17% step up Argo v-drive. looking forward to getting to know all you guys.

regards,
Darren
Sydney Australia

[FC-Pilot]

Welcome aboard! That is a nice looking boat you have there. So do you ski race?

Paul

[Flatmvn]

Welcome to the boards. there is a lot of good people and knowledge on here i am sure you will enjoy it.

Louis

[RiverRacer]

Welcome aboard, nice looking boat you have there!.. :cool:

http://www.v-driveboat.com/vweb/picture.php?albumid=45&pictureid=184

[waimo]

The ute looks cool 2.

[paranoid]

Thanks for the welcome guys. Yes, I love my Holden ute!

[paranoid]

Here are a couple of pics at our local river which is 15 minutes away. I normally don't run with the back seat in b ut my girlfriend took some friends along. Does anybody have any info on the Sleekcraft Rebels?

[dry]

Welcome to the site, I just joined as well.
Nice boat,what is the tow rig in the pics?

[paranoid]

The ute is a 2004 Holden Commodore which is a GM product here in Australia. The new model ute has just been released, check out www.holden.com.au and look at the SS. It's a 5.7 litre Chev with independent rear end. Definately worth checking out.

[RiverRacer]

Nice, what are the chrome deals with the turn down tips, mufflers or just extensions, don't look bad!..

BTW, what are the nice ladies doing with the ugly dudes!..:D:

http://www.v-driveboat.com/vweb/attachment.php?attachmentid=115&d=1207691411

http://www.v-driveboat.com/vweb/attachment.php?attachmentid=116&d=1207691426

http://www.v-driveboat.com/vweb/attachment.php?attachmentid=117&d=1207691443

[paranoid]

The crome parts are actually water injected mufflers and are polished stainless steel. The ends are down turned so as not to put too much spray into the skiers faces while at high speeds as well as pointing the noise down at the water. The boat originally had a set of Bassetts on it when i bought it, but somebody had disconnected the water injection and they were in very poor condition so i changed them. the rest of the extractors are going to get ceramic coated during the winter when I hope to finish the whole project off. So far, I have been doing it for 2 years as I can afford it and am happy with it.

[RiverRacer]

Cool, yeah tips pointing down do help keep the noise down a bit, have you ever had them tested on a DB meter??...

[paranoid]

No riverracer, I have never had the chance but it would be interesting. It is still quite loud from the shore and I am only running to 5200 rpm so as to look after my engine. It still runs in the mid 70's with 60mph coming at approx 4200rpm. Engine will make power to around 6500rpm. as it's only a social boat, i would really like it to last.

[RiverRacer]

How is it at idle though, around here that's what they check!.. With your setup it should last a long time trouble free!..