Is the PCM EX343 enough for a Z3?

[bigskymudflaps]

I surf at 6000 feet with a 2007 rz2 at max ballast and the motor is just fine. I surf at about 12mph and the boat sits at about 2800rpm -- great fuel. I'd like more power, but it works well. My boat has the Marine power 340 and an acme 1235 prop. I believe the tranny is a 1.5 to 1. I'm looking to upgrade, but not too much. Maybe an older z3, I'm happy to put any tractor pull prop to hold surf speed. Seems many of those boats have the 343. I could couldn't care less about top speed and we never wakeboard. Any thoughts? If anyone wants to chime in on no VX, a VX, AVX, and taps 3, also appreciated. Thanks.

[bsreid]

A friend of mine has a Z3 with that motor and we sacked it out with a ton of weight and it does just fine. You’ll need to buy a very high torque prop. That was at sea level so I don’t know about 6000

[Jetdriver]

My friends rz2 is sacked out and has that motor with a 1235 prop in Denver (5800') and it hauls the mail. The Z3 is listed as 200 lbs heavier than the rz2 on the Tige' website.

[freeheel4life]

We have a half dozen or so z3s here in Boise that are out doing their thing with a 343. They do just fine. It is possible to overweight. You will know when it sits in the hole and won't come up to speed. In my experience it makes a great wave well before that point, especially with a surf shaper/suck gate. In your case I would be hesitant to run a VX. VX typically requires more weight to get desired effect and the bigger the boat typically means even more. If you find the perfect boat with a VX grab it though. VX is super easy too remove of you don't like it. Can't really speak to AVX as I've only been on an ASR that had it and we all know how that boat surfs....taps3 is great but unless it's been retrofitted you will only find z3s with raptor engine that are taps equipped

[chpthril]

In most cases, the surf setup is exceeding the abilities of the stock prop, long before the engine is running out of power. So I would not worry much about the engine. However, 6K elevation is pretty up there. And in my opinion, the MP 340 was a better setup then the PCM343. Seemed to have more ballz. Better power curve i guess. I would probably look for a Z3 with the larger motor.

TAPS3 all the way IMO. Id rather have a listed RZ2 over a listed or AVX Z3. So if the budget permits, go for a TAPS3 Z3. If you do, engine size problem likely solved by default.

[JohnnieMo]

I have had my issues getting my 343 to perform, but I've concluded it was a bad propeller giving me issues. If you look at the ratings on the 343, it throws out a whopping 430 ft-lbs. It is no slouch. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

As for Vx, I've done a lot of testing with my Z1 and I've concluded the wave is better with it than without it. However there is some personal preference involved in that. As a previous poster said, it also depends on the hull. A Z3 with Vx or AVx is going to act more like a 25 foot boat, which means more weight required. I've never ridden a TAPS3 on the Z series, so I can't comment.

[mttige']

I surf at 6000 feet with a 2007 rz2 at max ballast and the motor is just fine. I surf at about 12mph and the boat sits at about 2800rpm -- great fuel. I'd like more power, but it works well. My boat has the Marine power 340 and an acme 1235 prop. I believe the tranny is a 1.5 to 1. I'm looking to upgrade, but not too much. Maybe an older z3, I'm happy to put any tractor pull prop to hold surf speed. Seems many of those boats have the 343. I could couldn't care less about top speed and we never wakeboard. Any thoughts? If anyone wants to chime in on no VX, a VX, AVX, and taps 3, also appreciated. Thanks.

I have a 2015 Z3 forsale