Python Engine

[NautiqueJeff]

Yeah, sounds like something the site could really use!

[DRAGON88]

Pondking, for what you want you want a Air or Sport Nautique, the pro air isnt going to throw a good slalom wake. I ride behind a Sport Nauti (Baiscly an Air minus the graphics and ballast (but you can find some sports with ballast)) and it throws a nice wake with only a sac in the bow and a sac in the trunk. My family is considering to upgrade the sport to a SAN at the end of the year. just incase you might be slightly interested, its a 99 Sport Nauti with a 01 tower on it, it has around 375 hrs on it and its a GT-40 (wich has been very reliable) I have pics too.


Basicly a little CC history: in 95 the TSC hull was created, in 97 they made the first wakeboard specific boat, In 99 the Pro Air (the first boat hull ever invented specificly for wakeboarding) was released. in 02 (??) they released the TSC² hull, but it was only on the ski nautique.

Not shure if that little ramble helped at all. But the TSC is known to create a good wake.

[Pondking]

Air Jeff,

Thanks, look forward to your list. I appreciate the help. I want to be as informed as possible as I drop a large chunk of $$$$.

[Nautiqueman]

Air, what is the ZR6? Is that the one between the Escalibur 330 and the Python? Is that the 375 hp? What will your boat run top end?

[NautiqueJeff]

The ZR6, a 6.0 liter GM Vortec engine, makes 375 horsepower and when equipped with PCM’s famous Power Plus 1.23:1 transmission, an incredible 492 foot-pounds of torque. The ZR6 features PCM’s totally new HO exhaust system, which has high performance aluminum heads and is freshwater cooled. The distributorless ignition with platinum tip spark plugs stretches maintenance intervals into years. The serpentine belt system with auto-tension makes it incredibly easy to change the impeller – it takes less than two minutes and two tools to swap it out from the observer’s seat.

The ZR6 features the industry’s first modular raw water pump, with direct-engine mount - no brackets for increased durability. The stainless steel pump is tough and specially engineered for the demands of the marine environment. The ZR6 is super quiet, incredibly smooth, and provides neck-snapping performance. And for all this power, the ZR6 still runs on standard octane fuel while the competition’s high performance engines require premium.

--> --> Here's the Spec Sheet.

[Air206]

Like Jeff said.......Thanks.

It weighs 'bout the same, size is the same and is closed cooled (water jacketed manifolds and heat exchanger). Nice benefit from that is the heater is also closed; therefore, no draining is needed to winterize heater... We run a lot in winter... one less thing to "drain & maintain".
Negatives are :
1) no shower offered since it is closed cooled........but I bet you could get creative with a heat exchanger in a shower install......
2) Dipstick is CRAZY! Seems like 3 feet long and has 10 twists in the end - quite difficult to replace. The rest of the maint features are "easy as pie".

It is the first boat that I've asked my driver to pull me up more slowly (195# Old Fart Slalom skier) !!!! - Top end speed is limited by the prop/RMPs but it accelerates like a demon..........
Very cool engine - I think it would make a heavier boat (226, etc..) do really well! 8)

[SGY]

Air 206. The only reason I would replace my current 206 with a newer one would be to get the 6.0 motor. I love the idea of not having to drain the block. Don't you still have to drain the exhaust risers as those are raw water cooled?

[Air206]

Yup - there's a quick disconnect coupling that drains both .... still need to do stuff for raw water intake and exchanger but not block heater, tranny.............. etc. Pull is GREAT! (I went from 240 hp 351 to 375hp 6L so the difference is more noticable to me...)

[Pondking]

Am I correct in assuming that the ZR6 is only avail in newer models and I would not find it in a 99-01 Air.

[DRAGON88]

Pondking, Yea, I think the ZR6 was released in 03.

[502Python]

I have a '99 Sport Nautique with the 502 Python. I have a 7 and a 6 year old( babies when I got it).We absolutely love it.My '98 Sport had the GT-40 and it was a terrific motor but I just had to have the Python.It is loud,I upgraded my stereo and can listen to it fine,it does like it's oil, a tank of gas will last a weekend ( about 5-6 boat hours), the motor box is large, it is a pain to change the oil filter(not much room for large mitts),it does vibrate more than my GT-40.But I'll tell you, it will pull one barefooter as fast as you like, it will pull 10 footers as fast as you like, it will pull 10 footers,the dock and the dog as fast as you like. I am sure the ZR6 is a much more refined package and someday I may get one but man to I love the rumble of a big block!!

[rocco]

Well Said....I have the Python in my 2000 SN....Unbelieveable Power..
would'nt have any other????????????????..................Well Said...........

[cdm]

for those of you with the python, and wakeboard, did you get the engine because you heavily weight down the boat or just want the largest engine you can get? little man!! j/k.. How much more preformance does the python deliver than the ZR6. i have a 05' SANTE on order with the ZR6 and cannot wait until it arrives, next spring!!

CDM

[502Python]

Good question....I have been thinking of getting a new one with the ZR6 and I have been trying to get some feedback on it's performance as compared to the Python.You are giving up 55 hp and over 100 ft/lbs of torque with the ZR6 but I heard it is fast and smooth. I got my Python to barefoot with....I could only get 43 with my GT-40 and it wasn't enough to pull my big a*s for one foot tricks.....No bones about it though, I did want the biggest,baddest motor too!

[rocco]

How many can foot at one time....A friend of my foots all the time...behind his SN.with the 350v8............I never have pull any yet,,,,,I hydrofoil,,and you can do it behind a Pontoon boat(hehehe)..But I just like Power if I need it.....And your right The biggest and Baddest motor out there.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!