Build Breakdown: Hillbilly Deluxe, the Premier Speed Solutions Jet Boat

Build Breakdown: Hillbilly Deluxe, the Premier Speed Solutions Jet Boat

1974 Wriedt Maverick Jet Boat Build Breakdown

498ci Big Block Power, Berkeley JC Pump, and Full Milspec Marine Wiring

When we decided to build our shop boat, we didn’t cut corners. The goal was simple: build a clean, reliable, mechanically sound jet boat that reflects the standards we apply to every electrical and performance project at Premier Speed Solutions.

The platform is a 1974 Wriedt Maverick, a classic 18’ performance hull known for its aggressive lines and lightweight construction. From there, everything was built with reliability, serviceability, and performance in mind. What started as a bare hull in a friends backyard eventually turned into an incredibly fun lake boat!

Engine: 498ci Stroked Big Block Chevy

What started as a Chevy 427 evolved into a 498 cubic inch big block built for torque and sustained RPM.

Engine Specs:

  • 4.320” bore x 4.250” stroke 
  • Aluminum cylinder heads featuring 320cc intake runner volume and 122cc combustion chamber
  • SRP forged pistons
  • Eagle forged crankshaft
  • Eagle forged connecting rods
  • ARP head bolts and ARP main bolts
  • ATI harmonic balancer
  • Comp Marine solid lifter roller cam
  • Rocker girdles

This combination delivers strong mid-range torque, critical for jet pump loading, while remaining stable at sustained high RPM.

Airflow is handled by a tunnel ram setup with dual 750 Holley double pump carberators, exiting the engine uninhibited through water-injected over-the-transom headers which provides a slight muffling effect and gives that classic jet boat look. 

This setup is estimated to produce 595hp and 568ft/lbs of torque at 5500 RPM

Jet Pump Setup: Berkeley JC Performance Package

The boat runs a Berkeley JC Pump equipped with:

  • A-cut impeller
  • Jetaway 
  • Jetovator

The A impeller offers a strong balance between acceleration and top-end performance. Currently, the boat turns 5,500 RPM and runs 77 MPH — a solid number for a full interior lake boat setup.

The Jetaway by Hi-Tech Performance provides piece of mind and safety in the event of the engine cutting off while travelling at speed.

The Jetovator is a old school method of increasing the trim of the discharge nozzle on the pump, this is what helps trim the attitude of the boat and also throw rooster tails so people know you like to party.

Fuel System: Built for Stability and Safety

Reliable fuel delivery is critical in marine applications, especially with dual carburetors.

Fuel System Highlights:

  • Dual 12-gallon stainless steel fuel tanks
  • Holley 110 GPH mechanical fuel pump
  • Moroso fuel log-style regulator
  • -8 AN main feed lines
  • -6 AN carburetor feed lines

All plumbing was routed cleanly and secured using custom 3D-printed stringer mounts for vibration control and long-term durability.

Ignition and Electrical System: Full Milspec Marine Harness

This is where the build truly reflects what we do at Premier Speed Solutions.

The boat features a complete custom milspec marine wiring harness, built using:

  • Tefzel wire
  • Concentric twisting
  • DR-25 heat shrink sheathing
  • Sealed connectors
  • Molded boots

Marine environments are brutal on electrical systems due to moisture, oxidation, and vibration. A traditional automotive-style harness simply doesn’t offer the longevity or protection required.

Electrical components include:

  • MSD Ready-to-Run distributor
  • MSD Blaster 2 coil
  • Eaton severe-duty fuse panel
  • Battery cutoff switch
  • Optima RedTop battery

We also fabricated custom mounts for:

  • Battery
  • Power distribution modules
  • Fuel pressure regulator
  • Fuel pressure sensor

These details matter. Clean routing, proper mounting, and sealed connections prevent long-term corrosion and troubleshooting nightmares.

Instrumentation: Full AutoMeter Gauge Suite

Monitoring is critical in a high-compression, carbureted big block marine setup.

Instrumentation includes:

  • GPS speedometer
  • Tachometer
  • Water temperature
  • Oil temperature
  • Oil pressure
  • Fuel pressure
  • Voltmeter

This allows real time system monitoring under sustained load conditions.

Fabrication & Detail Work

Beyond performance, this build emphasizes precision and serviceability:

  • Custom fabricated battery and module mounts
  • 3D-printed fuel line stringer mounts
  • 3D-printed regulator and sensor brackets

Every component has a defined mounting solution.

Future Performance Upgrades

Planned upgrades include:

  • Stainless impeller
  • Inducer to reduce cavitation
  • Dominator split bowl
  • Place diverter
  • Straight snoot
  • Remote fuel filter mount
  • Accusump accumulator system for oil pressure stability

These changes will improve pump efficiency, reduce cavitation at launch, and increase overall top-end performance.

Current Performance

  • 5,500 RPM
  • 77 MPH

For a naturally aspirated 498ci big block jet boat with a full interior, that’s a strong and reliable baseline.

Why This Build Matters

This boat isn’t just a toy, it’s a rolling (or floating) example of what happens when you combine:

  • Proper mechanical assembly
  • Clean fuel system design
  • Motorsports-grade electrical construction
  • Marine-specific durability standards

If we’re going to #MakeJetBoatsGreatAgain, it starts with building them correctly, from the crankshaft to the wiring harness.

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