Got Grate ? I don't :P

[Mekanix]

Noticed something weird about how the gsx was running. Seemed to transition to rave's really easily and free rev easier without really picking up speed.
I thought It would have been cavitation since I did suck up a few rocks in my inexperience.

Then I sucked up so weeds and had to dig them out. I reached in and pulled it all out and then it hit me. My hands are too big to fit through the grate.... Then I realized I had no grate

So it looks like the bolts just vibrated loose and away it went.

I wasn't really that easy on the thing either Jumping waves was just too fun.



So I probably should get another grate

Any recommendations? stock, ... and what effect would each type have.


Also what effect does the grate have vs not having one? Its new territory for me.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Might consider sticking with rat wire for the time being till you can learn how to torque the mounting hardware such that it doesn't rattle loose?

 

[Mekanix]

Woa now, I never said "I" torqued it um it was like that when I got it, uh yeah.


Should I go with stock or get a solas ?

 

[Coastiejoe]

Solas will slow the ski down on flat water assuming it is the only mod you do.

In choppy water it will help and in cornering and playing around it will help.

 

[dustindu4]

if that's true, then forget the solas

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I rode w/o a grate for 6 months, on flat water, it actually ran better.

so personally I wouldn't worry that much while you wait for a replacement to show up, maybe just stay out of the shallows.

 

[LouDoo]

I like R&D, I've got one on my 96GSX, not a big difference from stock, but it does seem to load up a little better.

Lou

 

[Mekanix]

Good to know.
Will a grate from a 96 GTX be the same ? or was there different ones for that model. When I look online there was a few that fit both models.

I ask because I can get one for free if I do the work of ripping it off.

Also I have a cavitation issue on low end that I notice now. Thinking of replacing the wear ring but not sure who makes a good one.

Going to look for an impeller at a good price as well. Any suggestions?

 

[LouDoo]

Try PM'ing minnetonka4me I'm sure he's got a stock one and probably also aftermarket.

Lou

 

[dustindu4]

SBT will send you a basically new looking refurbished impeller for $60 but you have to mail your old one back to them. Other than that get a Solas.

For the wear ring, well the jury may be out on them but I like the SBT one piece ring design. When the OEM ring gets worn out it falls apart and damages your impeller. The SBT piece is a solid piece of delrin plastic that doesn't fall apart. All the newer seadoos use this 1 piece design as OEM. So guess what after 20 years, materials science has improved. Mine works great.

For the intake grate, I would get a used one on ebay or minnetonka4me. Don't forget also to order all the bolts/washers/etc you need to go with it. The parts list for my ski shows 3 different kinds of loctite required, whoever took yours off last neglected the loctite and guess what it all fell out.

 

[LouDoo]

I too am becoming an convert to the SBT delrin wear ring, I've always use OEM, but I installed the delrin wear ring last winter on my 96GSX. I've got about 40hrs. on the wear ring and it still looks new. 4 tek SeaDoo's use delrin wear rings.

If you use the delrin wear ring be sure to use the neoprene seal.

Unless your impeller is damaged, just stick with the stock, an aftermarket impeller is going to have minimal effect on your ski.

Lou

 

[Mekanix]

Any idea were I could get parts fast within Canada?

I only know of winners circle so far or the dealer.

Pulled my pump off and it looks like the impeller is damaged a bit on the leading and trailing edges. I managed to dress it up pretty good and remove all the damage. Didn't affect the balance at all but I have no idea what it will do in the water since I can't measure the new pitch. I only took 2mm off both edges for each blade.


Noticed that I don't have a ring seal around the pump housing where it mates to the plate and the parts diagram doesn't show one either. ??

So Now I'm looking at a prop, delrin wear ring, grate, and the thrust bearing seems to be damaged a bit so I'll replace that too. Bearings seem good though.

Any advice ?

 

[hfgreg]

Our parts site SeadooWarehouse.com will have what you need and we DO ship to Canada. We can also price match for you.

 

[Mekanix]

Good to know, thanks. I'll take a look.

 

[Stunnerable]

Oh boy... never grind away at an impellor... that's what impros is for. In fact, you should get a new one... try a skat or solos. It will help trust me. In the mean time do a pump rebuild and consider a new accordion boot and carbon ring. As for the grate, get a stocker. Unless you're racing you're just gonna get pissed that your GSX isn't as fast on flat water. Call Nick I'm sure he has one.

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[Mekanix]

Oh boy... never grind away at an impellor... that's what impros is for. In fact, you should get a new one... try a skat or solos. It will help trust me. In the mean time do a pump rebuild and consider a new accordion boot and carbon ring. As for the grate, get a stocker. Unless you're racing you're just gonna get pissed that your GSX isn't as fast on flat water. Call Nick I'm sure he has one.

Already did, Waiting for a reply.

My background is in aviation, so i treated this impeller like any other airfoil, I didn't thing a few mm would mean that much... but yeah I'm just looking to replace it anyways.

Boot and ring are new, I replaced everything drive shaft related inside the hull.

What pitch in a solas or skat would work for a stock 800?

 

[Stunnerable]

Solas Concord 15/23 is hands down the best prop for a stock GSX. Better acceleration and top speed.

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[ricardo1]

Stunnerble i need to change my prop on my 02 gtx di, what was the major difference you felt with it?

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[Stunnerable]

I apologize but I think I might be misunderstanding your question. I don't have any experience with a GTX di, but if you're referring to impeller questions in general then you should see a gain in acceleration and top speed with the right choice. Hope that helps.

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[Mekanix]

Got another stock grate from a friend, screwed it on and looks like the bolts will hold. Held my weight anyways but I still put some locktite on them just in case. I was even thinking of putting some nuts on the inside of the hull where the bolts come through.

Bought a new wear ring and thrust bearings. Installed those and the same prop, it looks good the way it is and balances well.
I'll use it until my new prop comes in.

I have a solas SD CD 15/23 on the way in 10 days or so.


How bad can a loose carbon ring cause cavitation?

Looking back on a few videos I can see lots of bubbles underwater when taking off.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Got another stock grate from a friend, screwed it on and looks like the bolts will hold. Held my weight anyways but I still put some locktite on them just in case. I was even thinking of putting some nuts on the inside of the hull where the bolts come through.

Bought a new wear ring and thrust bearings. Installed those and the same prop, it looks good the way it is and balances well.
I'll use it until my new prop comes in.

I have a solas SD CD 15/23 on the way in 10 days or so.


How bad can a loose carbon ring cause cavitation?

Looking back on a few videos I can see lots of bubbles underwater when taking off.

I don't think you can see signs of cavitation (ventilation), you can detect them as prop slip, unhooking. Pull back the bellows while in the water running and you'll see RPM's jump from the prop slipping.

I used anti-seize on my grate bolts, hasn't fallen off yet....... I have no idea what's on the inside of the hull or what the female threads are made of.

Alright, how are you measuring/judging balance, by vibration? Are you spinning up the impeller while pump is on the bench??

 

[Mekanix]

The internal threads seem to be nuts imbedded into the hull on mine but the holes go straight through the hull and come out just under the carbon seal.

I spun the prop in the housing with an electric motor but before that I stuck the impeller between a balancing jig I made and spun it to see if it would have any low and high sides. That was the extent of it though. Kind of like balancing a bike rim but nothing to measure if one blade has more load on it compared to the others. I didn't vibrate before I cleaned it up and really all I did was re-profile the edges and tried to keep them at proper angles.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

The internal threads seem to be nuts imbedded into the hull on mine but the holes go straight through the hull and come out just under the carbon seal.

I spun the prop in the housing with an electric motor but before that I stuck the impeller between a balancing jig I made and spun it to see if it would have any low and high sides. That was the extent of it though. Kind of like balancing a bike rim but nothing to measure if one blade has more load on it compared to the others. I didn't vibrate before I cleaned it up and really all I did was re-profile the edges and tried to keep them at proper angles.

Okay, it sounds like you're milking this job too much, to me. You need to get it back on the water, no more excuses!

 

[Mekanix]

lol, :agree:

 

[Stunnerable]

One of your questions were about how much can a wear ring affect cavitation.

The answer is a lot! Its usually several factors but it's definitely one of the big ones. You're doing all the right things (maybe even a little excessive) but y the time you get it all back together and especially after that new impellor, you will be happy with the results.

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