Fresh Air Exhaust

[raythompson]

I just installed my Fresh Air Exhaust system on my 22V. I thought I would post some pictures. There will be eight posts in all as I took eight pictures and do not know how to post multiple images.

This first picture is the exhaust system straight on from the back of the boat. The exhaust tubes that are attached to the boat angle up slightly to clear the TAP-II plate.

One disadvantage of the system is that you loose the ability to quickly remove the platform. To remove it now I would have to remove four bolts from the upper bracket where it fastens to the platform and then remove the platform. But how may times have I removed my platform? Once just to see how it was done. I suspect this may be a non-issue but something that needs to be known.

Also use marine adhesive caulk on the screws. There is a gasket for the exhaust mounts so no sealant is required on them. But you do need to seal the screw holes.

Well shucks, it did not post the image. Lets try in the next message.

[raythompson]

Fresh Air Exhaust

This is the image

I have to host the blasted things on my web space as the attach file on this board does not seem to work.

[raythompson]

Fresh Air Exhaust

This is looking up from the bottom showing the overall mounting of the system. I needed to use two existing screw holes in the teak platform for the upper brackets.

[raythompson]

Fresh Air Exhaust

Since the files are hosted on my web space I will now try and do multiple images.

This is the mounting in the original exhaust ports. The flappers were removed and the mounts used the existing screw holes. The two upper screw were pan head, the two lower were bevel head screws. The two lower screws were replaced with pan head and the bevel head screws tossed in the scew drawer. Stainless steel naturally. Oh, and watch the pitch on the threads as you are better off getting something that matches.

Next is the upper mouting brackets that mount into the teak platform. Care was needed to not drill the two additional holes all the way through. The lag screws provided will not penetrate all the way through missing by about 1/8 of an inch.

[raythompson]

Fresh Air Exhaust

Next is the elbows. The welding was nicely done. Notice the support bolt is too long. I suspect a standard size is provided. This will be cutoff with a air powered rotary grinder when my friend gets back so I can borrow his grinder (I have the compressor).

Here you really see where the bolt is too long and how the elbows fit into the exhaust adapter.

[raythompson]

Fresh Air Exhaust

This is the "T" section. All the connections are double clamped. There was blue tape on the connections that you are not supposed to move as if you disconnect the fitting it is hard to get it back into place. You can also see some more mounting detail on the upper supports.

And a final view of the finished installed (except for the bolt cuts). You can also clearly see the angle of the exhaust that will allow the TAPS plate to function properly.

Now all I need is some good weather. Today would be good except for the storms we had in Tennessee last night. There was a large amount of rain (2.5 inches at my house in 2 hours) and the river will be muddy and full of debris.

The installation was easy enough. I would recommend you have a friend to help hold the system. You have to attach the upper bracket to the exhaust system, then raise it and slip it on the exhaust adapters, then tighten the bolts into the platform. The system is not heavy just cumbersome to move and manipulate, especially when laying on your back.

I will post back when I use the boat to give my impression of how it actually works and whether it was worth it. I bought the system as my wife complained about the noise being louder than our old stern drive. Getting the exhaust under the water will help. Keeping the wifey happy is most important to enjoying one's toys and being able to buy more toys.

[xpjim1]

Nice Job Ray!!

Good Post Ray

Please post back yout thoughts and impressions after you go out in it. I am very interested as this is one of my potential upgrades this year.

[Paublo]

Thanks for the report- good pictures and explanation. It does look like high quality materials. We all look forward to your follow-up after the on water test.

[dogbert]

I have one and it's awesome!

[raythompson]

Wake Effect

Did you notice the FAE affecting the wake or the operation of your TAPS?

Not having a chance to run the boat yet...Did it remarkably reduce the sound?

[whitlock87]

I installed one on my boat a few weeks ago.
I do have a DB meter and I can tell you this. At an idle I lost 8 DB
(you can not tell the boat is running)
And at top end I lost 6 DB (at wakeboarding speeds I lost 5 DB.)

Now I know that 5 DB does not sound like much, but it is a lot. The deep base of the engine is completely gone. I can talk to my wife while the kids are boarding with out yelling. When I was boarding, all I could hear was the water under the board
(I had my wife leave the radio off as I wanted to see how loud the boat was)

I did lose some control off my TAPS.
I talked to Larry at FAE and he thinks that my down pipe is either to long or to close to my TAPS plate. He has me doing some adjustment to the down pipe angle to determine what the problem is. After the testing is done, he is going to be sending some new parts.

FAE is a really nice company to work with.
David

[dogbert]

Originally posted by whitlock87
I did lose some control off my TAPS.
I talked to Larry at FAE and he thinks that my down pipe is either to long or to close to my TAPS plate. He has me doing some adjustment to the down pipe angle to determine what the problem is. After the testing is done, he is going to be sending some new parts.

David,

You can move the down pipe angle pretty easily. I had to do it recently because my local repair shop didn't tighten it enough when they moved it to work on my rudder, prop & shaft. I had a different problem when I came off plane and the angle was to shallow. It started to cause a fountain right next to the rider when we were wake surfing.

Larry is a pretty cool guy and I know he'll fix you up.

Here's a picture of the install on my boat (done by Larry himself).

[dogbert]

Here's how it looks from the back:

[whitlock87]

here are some shots of my install

[whitlock87]

One with the deck on