SL Build Questions

Building an SL and a couple questions so far.

What prop should I run for primary wakeboarding, some surfing, top speed not extremely important. The options on the builder;

ACME 3131 16x12.5

ACME 3591 16x13.9

ACME 3499 16x17


And, does anyone have close up of their interior handy? I am going to do pecan and light graphite. The dealer says the thread color is so subtle you can't see it. White is free for the seats and dash. $240 charge for all other colors on the dash and seats. Is it important to match the dash and seat threads to the interior colors?

Thanks, I may have a few more questions as I go. But, build date 7/13 and dealer wants the build at the latest by Monday.

Forgot to mention, will be in Columbia SC, very little elevation and the 400 engine if that affects prop choice.

I don’t have an SL, but an SA is only 100# lighter and the 16x13.9 is an awesome prop.

The thread color is intended to be decorative, I would try to use it as an accent versus trying to make it disappear.

Not sure on your exterior color, but using a thread color that matches one of your exterior colors is first class at tying the boat colors together.


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I second the 13.9 prop but wouldn’t bother with the thread color. It’s barely noticeable.


2022 SA 450

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Originally Posted by 2in2out

I second the 13.9 prop but wouldn’t bother with the thread color. It’s barely noticeable.


2022 SA 450

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13.9 without a doubt. We run that on a sl550 at 5k feet and the 16x17 at lower elevation. I almost all pecan Interior with just black accents. I went with black thread. I would Match the thread color to one of the interior colors, preferably the one that is the accent.

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Originally Posted by mjb929rr

13.9 without a doubt. We run that on a sl550 at 5k feet and the 16x17 at lower elevation. I almost all pecan Interior with just black accents. I went with black thread. I would Match the thread color to one of the interior colors, preferably the one that is the accent.

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I should have mentioned. I absolutely would go with the 450 minimum in the new sl. Its almost identical in weight and ballast to the SE. at my typical elevation of 2900 feet the 550 is working when loaded up.

@mjb929rr What is the difference in the 400 and the 450. I am in no way mechanically inclined or versed. I am in the medical field. The dealer seems to think the 400 will be ok with the 1.76 trans. He told me there isn't really a big differnece between the 400 and 450. I won't be getting a 550, but would entertain the 450 if it is needed. Anyone else have any input or suggestions on 400 vs 450? Thanks.

Thank you all for the suggestions so far.

Go 450!!! After adding 700-1000 of lead and crew the strain on the 400 will be noticeable. It will be manageable, but noticeable.


2022 SA 450

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Originally Posted by mgswake

@mjb929rr What is the difference in the 400 and the 450. I am in no way mechanically inclined or versed. I am in the medical field. The dealer seems to think the 400 will be ok with the 1.76 trans. He told me there isn't really a big differnece between the 400 and 450. I won't be getting a 550, but would entertain the 450 if it is needed. Anyone else have any input or suggestions on 400 vs 450? Thanks.

Thank you all for the suggestions so far.

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I believe it’s mainly done in the ecm with tuning. It adds about 55ft lbs of torque. I had a 20 sl450 and now a 22sl550. The new sl is balanced different than the old one seems to take more power to get it moving. It’s very similar to the Se in weight, ballast and size and the se comes standard with the 450 for a reason.

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Originally Posted by mjb929rr

I believe it’s mainly done in the ecm with tuning. It adds about 55ft lbs of torque. I had a 20 sl450 and now a 22sl550. The new sl is balanced different than the old one seems to take more power to get it moving. It’s very similar to the Se in weight, ballast and size and the se comes standard with the 450 for a reason.

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The 450 is actually the 460 with a smaller diameter exhaust. I believe it actually has different hard parts than the 400 like different heads.


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Originally Posted by TXSurf4

The 450 is actually the 460 with a smaller diameter exhaust. I believe it actually has different hard parts than the 400 like different heads.


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The only real hard part that would differ is possibly cams and for a engine that you want peak tq at 3500 rpm, I doubt they changed the cams.

Most of the power gains would be from tuning (timing and fuel mapping) to take advantage of higher octane fuel. Also by raising the max rpm (5300 vs 5000) they get some extra HP under the curve.

Going from 89 to 93 octane would easily allow 3-4 degrees advanced timing and that is about 10ft lbs per degree of advance.

I know the 450 will run on 91, but it loses some power as knock sensors would have to pull timing.

Also correct on skiers using a slightly restrictive exhaust and losing some power from the 460.


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Further digging found that the 450/460 uses a different intake manifold and bigger throttle body. That plus timing for higher octane fuel makes sense.


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Per Indmar’s owner manual the 450 only requires 89 octane
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e2b5e1366f.jpg
I had looked into this when we bought ours as our lake only has 89 E0 available at the marina. That being said I have always run 91 E0 in mine as I can get it for $1.50 less than the 89 at the marina and the station is on our between my house and the lake house. I just use a few fuel caddy’s .


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Originally Posted by larry_arizona

The only real hard part that would differ is possibly cams and for a engine that you want peak tq at 3500 rpm, I doubt they changed the cams.

Most of the power gains would be from tuning (timing and fuel mapping) to take advantage of higher octane fuel. Also by raising the max rpm (5300 vs 5000) they get some extra HP under the curve.

Going from 89 to 93 octane would easily allow 3-4 degrees advanced timing and that is about 10ft lbs per degree of advance.

I know the 450 will run on 91, but it loses some power as knock sensors would have to pull timing.

Also correct on skiers using a slightly restrictive exhaust and losing some power from the 460.


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For my own knowledge are heads not considered a "hard part" on a motor? (I only ask for my own knowledge so I don't sound like a fool lol) Also in you digging did you find out if the heads are different as well? I don't recall if it was my dealer or Indmar that had told me that, could have been my dealer and they might have meant the intake manifold. I could see the sales people mixing that up especially since I think that was the first year they offered the 450 (MY2019)

Is it possible that they got the power rating for the motor using 93 octane as you said but then say it is "safe " to run or is "approved" to run 89?

I have read nothing on different heads. But yes, heads are considered hard parts.

I doubt it has different heads, porting etc usually raises the operating rpm range which would sacrifice low end torque.

The bigger throttle body and hi tq intake manifold and tuning makes sense.

I think you are also correct, if they tuned for higher octane fuel that is where max power would be, but with knock sensors, you can get away with 89 at a loss in power.


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Originally Posted by larry_arizona

I have read nothing on different heads. But yes, heads are considered hard parts.

I doubt it has different heads, porting etc usually raises the operating rpm range which would sacrifice low end torque.

The bigger throttle body and hi tq intake manifold and tuning makes sense.

I think you are also correct, if they tuned for higher octane fuel that is where max power would be, but with knock sensors, you can get away with 89 at a loss in power.


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Good to know. I appreciate the info!

We have a lot of SL 400s around Knoxville. Mine is 2018 with the 1.5 and the 400.

I would say if you are planning full weight and wakeboarding, I would go the 450 route.

I recall reading on social media from Larry the Engine Nut about a different tune they put into the 450s and the ability to run the 89 octane.

The thread was about the 450 vs 460 and what gas to run. Motor has a sticker that listed one thing. Manual stated another thing. And everyone on Social Media giving their opinion. So the guy emailed Indmar and Larry responded back. I have screen print somewhere, not sure what electronic device.