I'm trying to do a little research on whether I should drop a pulley size to get a little better performance out of my motor. Currently running a 23 Dixie with a mikuni pushing a 1542. I'd like to get a little more torc out of it to increase my hole shot and get my RPMs up a little when running in deep water. right now i have to trim the tail up past the sweet spot to get the desired RPMs im looking for. Does it matter if I change the top or bottom (top is much easier than the bottom). Anyone experimented with this on a Dixie or other MM? I know changing the pulley could effect my top end, but I doesn't seem like I'm getting the most out of my motor since I can't keep the RPMs up over 4000 now. Any suggestions?

If you have a clutch, it will be cheaper to go up two teeth on the bottom gear.

I'm no longer running a clutch. Had a few problems with the clutch and just decided to remove it. Had to replace the belt after the clutch came apart and slid forward on the motor. I'm running a straight drive now...one less thing to go wrong.

Just reread your post 270...do I need to go up on the teeth or down. I thought if I went down on my teeth I would get more torc. If I went up On my teeth i would get more prop speed, but less torc??? Is that right or am I backwards? With the clutch removed it just seems easier to change the top pulley vs. pulling the lower unit to change the bottom pulley.

Add teeth to bottom-more torque, less prop speed
Add teeth to top-less torque, more prop speed

Reverse is true for subtracting teeth.

Don't know which is better for you, or how exactly changing gear ratios affects mm performance, but that's how # of teeth/diameter affects torque and prop/wheel speed.

Thanks Docott...I'm gonna get with Ben @ Dixie and order a pulley once I get the carb dialed in.

I changed mine on the top and the bottom went 4 teeth more on the bottom and droped 4 on the top RPMs came up but lost a little speed.It's a lot better hole shot and carries weight better. Its a 23 Dixie.

Mud Slinger...do you remember exactly what size pulleys you are running? i'd like to know the specifics on your setup. I'm not sure what size exactly Ben put in mine, but I don't think I can go up very much on the bottom. There's not very much clearance with the current pulley I'm running. Did you experiment a little or just do a 4 & 4 tooth change from the start?

I got the same setup as you Dixie 23 but on a 1442 alumacraft. Stock carb (Modified idle)

Played with 32, 34, 36 top on 44 Bott. Ben had it dialed in perfect with the 36/44 gear ratio.

Now getting 22 -24 mph light load and 18-20 loaded w/ 2 fat boys 11X9” Prop

Good luck.