2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

[sstexan]

Guys,

I was out doing some late night surfing and I was on the MB sports website. They claim they are using the only 2-speed tranny available from PCM on both the excalibur and ZR6(They call it the ZR409). The fit and finish on the MB looks pretty good, and I have 2 questions:

1. Is this 2-speed tranny cool and does it work as advertised?
2. Is Nautique looking into using it?

It seams to me that Nautique would have a much better relationship with PCM than anyone else, but it made me think about it. MB is also using Zero off in 2008. There ballast system sounds pretty trick, but who know if that works as advertised. Filling and emptying in less than 30 seconds without a pump sound intriguing to me... Dont worry I am die hard Nautique fan as I am on my second one, just interested in new things.... Thanks,

sstexan

[gride300]

RE: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

i have not ridden nor seen an mb in real life, but i have read alot about the 2 speed tranny. it sounds pretty stupid and one more thing to break. all you need is a good prop for hole shots and when coming around tight turns to "save" gas. i do give mb more props now that i know they use pcm. i think mastercraft would see a huge bump in sales if they would use pcm. indmar blows donkys

[Miljack]

Gride,
not trying to bash here, but a 2 speed transmission makes sense for the wakeboard crowd, especially if you're carrying a lot of ballast. You could get a better holeshot, and still be able to cruise without running an extra 1000 rpm more than needed with a "holeshot" prop. There are limitations to this theory, but, for most applications this would work pretty well given the current setups on wakeboard boats. I have spoken to someone who uses the 2 speed, and his thought was that it was a great setup for the Excalibur engine, but maybe overkill on the Zr-Xxx. He did say that he used the low gear to get out of the hole, then shifted when up on plane, and he did say that the shift wasn't like the auto tranny on your car, but it was "ok."

V drive drag boats have used auto transmissions to get out of the hole more efficiently for years, so there is some application to what we do with sport boats, you would need to weigh the reliability and other factors to determine if this would work for you.

SS texan, I saw a video on the MB ballast system on their website, or Utube, and it's very slick! It's based on the system on using a large gate valve and gravity to fill. Fill when sitting, empty while up on plane.

[NCH2oSki]

Re: RE: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

i do give mb more props now that i know they use pcm. i think mastercraft would see a huge bump in sales if they would use pcm. indmar blows donkys

Pretty interesting statement you made there. Indmar makes a good product otherwise they wouldnt sell as many units as they do. FYI mc has had a relationship with pcm from the begining, they were the first engine in the mc's till sometime in the 80's mc switched to Indmar. Currently MC uses PCM in their saltwater series, its the crusaider line of pcm products. Not sure if Indmar is going to maranize a saltwater engine or not. In the end I think both engines have their good and bad points.

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

interesting fact. my friends who had oldschool mc's and still do never have issues, but myself and other friends had nothing but issues with the engines and electrical from day 1 pretty much. i have seen the total opposite from nautiques. also, indmar did below average for jd power associates about as many years as auburn as beat alabama. i was a diehard mc man and pushed through alot of bs and even got an mc when friends said dont. i made the switch. i will agree that for wakeboarding the x star wake and everything else that has to do with wakeboarding is the best.

[8122pbrainard]

Re: RE: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

FYI mc has had a relationship with pcm from the begining, they were the first engine in the mc's till sometime in the 80's mc switched to Indmar.

I just thought you should know that MC built their first boats in 1968 (12 of them) and PCM started up in late 75 early 76. I wonder what the first engine was is the MC's?? Waukeshau, Chrysler, Interceptor?

[Teleman]

RE: Re: RE: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

Don't know moch about MCs, I've been a Nautique fan from the beginning. The 2 speed tranny would only be good if the engine put out an extreme Power to RPM curve. But I must say there is not much need for a tranny in a boat. Boats are not at all like cars. Not only that, but matching a prop to that config would be impossible. The chance to over rev the motor would be a problem so it would need a gov on it. Sounds like nightmare.....

[mdboats]

2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

FYI, The MB two speed transmissions is a great idea and yes it works; however, the cost to upgrade is equal or close to the cost of the ZR6 motor. I would suggest opting for the 6 liter. The two speed tranny takes some getting use to when driving. It does require a quick pull back on the throttle and then and up shift and if you miss the timing it hits very hard. This tranny with a 6 liter would be unbelievable but not needed. The MB ballast system is the best period. MB makes a great boat. Ride and drive one if you get a chance.

The early Mastercrafts used Holman Moody marine conversions. The early Nautiques used OMC. During that time period you could find about any motor in a boat. I believe it was 1976 / 77 when both MC and CC went exclusively with PCM.

Another trivia note, MC had a stern drive in 1979 in their ski boat. Thus leading to the powerslot transmission (aka gear reduction).

[8122pbrainard]

Re: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

The early Mastercrafts used Holman Moody marine conversions. The early Nautiques used OMC. During that time period you could find about any motor in a boat.

md,
You got my curiosity going so I just did a CCfan diary search. Between 1961 and 1974, I found 39 Nautiques listed. 3 thermoelectrons, 17 Chryslers, 8 Crusaders, 2 Waukeshas, 1 H/M and 2 Interceptors. (6 were obvious repowers) No OMC though. What "early" years are you talking about? In the later 70's, the standard engine typically was the 351 Ford and the 350 GM/OMC was a option for about $200.

[mdboats]

RE: Re: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

you are right, I confused Chryslers with OMCs.

[Red57Bird]

I think that a multi-speed tranny will eventually become more common as the technology gets better. That said, there are a couple of MBs up at our lake that have the 2-speed PCMs and they have had nothing but issues with them. I was told that after having to replace the tranny for the 2nd time, the owner insisted that a standard tranny be installed. Like most things a 1st generation product will have bugs and issues (look at the ballast systems from the late 90s). Someone will get it right at some point.

[sstexan]

Thanks for all the responses. I was very impressed with their ballast system. Curious why no other builder is falling suit with this system? Do they have a patent nobody else can touch?

[snowboardcorey]

I think one of the things holding this type of ballast system back is that it doesnt allow for much manipulation of ballast such as a seperate front and rear ballast tank. I would imagine running half full would cause some issues with hole shot as all the water runs to the back of the boat and likewise sloshes forward when stopping.

This is speculation, I've never used the system but I'm all for giving it a try.

[NCH2oSki]

Re: RE: 2 speed PCM tranny on MB Sports

FYI mc has had a relationship with pcm from the begining, they were the first engine in the mc's till sometime in the 80's mc switched to Indmar.

I just thought you should know that MC built their first boats in 1968 (12 of them) and PCM started up in late 75 early 76. I wonder what the first engine was is the MC's?? Waukeshau, Chrysler, Interceptor?

Thanks I stand corrected. My neighbor has an ealry model stars and stripes with a pcm. I never thought about the first models, I always think about the stars n stripes as being the first mc's, but your right. Thanks for the info.