Mercruiser Pricing
 

So I've had my 1972 23CC for a few years and put some time on the 350 mag mpi. Time and conditions have not been kind to this engine which I was told was "brand new" when I bought the boat. Turns out to be a reman engine, having a clear view of the tag now that the engine is out of the boat. Figured I'd cut to the chase and see what a repower would cost. Was quoted around $23,000 for a Seacore version 350 mag mpi with a Bravo. Thought that was around $7k more than I have been seeing online. Anyone have any idea on where to get a package cheaper? I'm located on Cape Cod. Also have a buddy looking for the exact same package, maybe work out a decent price on a double purchase. Thanks!

Doug Russell marine has some of the cheapest prices online for repowers and you can purchase and pick up in Worcester, Massachusetts

For whats its worth...I got my 383 stroker mpi and bravo 1, from a local Merc. dealer. for $14k...its remanufactured. However it had a Mercury 3 year warranty. So far I have been real happy with the set up....

Don't know much about I/O' s but thru past experience in drag racing the 383 stroker SBC is a great combo with a very favorable bore to stroke ratio creating good velocity thru the cyl heads resulting in great power and torque numbers . No dought in my mind if the numbers are even close we're I'd go

As best I can tell from the receipt trail, Doug Russell did the install on my 25. It was immediately pulled and done over, according to the paperwork I have. Previous owner got a bravo 3 mag MPI 300 hp 5.7 for $12k. Spent $9k fixing that install- including a crushed oil pan, motor mounts, improper cut outs in transom and hull, and incorrectly rigged steering.


I hear similar stories for others.

Bass River in East Dennis did the re-install/repair in late '04.

I wouldn't let them do the install, I was just saying they are a high volume Internet dealer that stocks tons of I/O stuff. I stopped there once and they have mountains of motors. You are the 3rd one not happy with thier install that I have read about. If you can install it yourself you could save a little from them due to the lower prices but if you want to have it installed too i would not worry with price and go with the local guy that you know that will do you right.

Yeah- OP is local to Doug Russell- wanted to let him know. I don't know of better pricing. I think even a drive to no sales tax NH wouldn't save more. What he needs to do is get Bigshrimpin to find his deal for him- he seems to find all the good deals!

Thanks for the info guys. I am leaning towards a reman from Russel with a new drive and transom assembly as the ones I currently have are beat and older than the existing power. Only a couple hours from me so delivery is easy, throw it in my truck. Just have to redo the transom and bilge area while I have it open.

Looks like a hell off a deal ! Only ? I have is with the 91 octane fuel note will it work with reg fuel? Jegs has been around forever and has a great rep bet a phone call would go a long way! A balanced motor runs longer and better as all the components work together without any part pulling different then the others

Hmmm. 405HP and 450 Ft-lbs out of 383 cid sounds more like a diesel than a gas motor. I've never seen anything like that ratio of ft-lbs/$ in a legitimate marine set-up before. Adding the exhaust manifolds, tstat housing and raw water pump is a grand or so (?). I'm bookmarking that one for the future... A couple of gallons of octane booster could fix the problem with 91.

That kind of torque is well past what is recommended for an Alpha and I think it's a bit past a basic Bravo spec. It may be close to the spec limit for a Bravo 1X... That said, Seacrafts are light enough that drives seem to last a long time if you're nice to them.

The 383 stroker mpi is a nice motor but I think it is a bit much for a 23 seacraft. My brother has one in his and it is nice but I think the 6.2mpi 320hp instead of the 383mpi with 350hp is just as good and prob a little more economical.

Island Trader has a 383 stroker in his 1964 21'. It runs real good with a ton of mid range torque/Power. I think his WOT is 50+

Here is the 383mpi stroker.

Decided to put a 383 stroker in my 73 Tsunami when I restored her last year when she turned 40. It is paired with a bravo one and will hit 52-53mph top end and cruises at 28knots. Had a 350mag prior and although it was more economical it is a totally different boat since dropping in the 383.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...pictureid=1681

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...pictureid=1682

How is the fuel economy cruising at 28kts?

On the 21 at 28 knots my burn rate is around 9.2 gals /hour...or 3.2 miles/gal.

WOT...25 gal/hr.

Unfortunately I do not have a floscan on boat, but figure burn rate is about 2 miles per gallon based on total burn. The 350 mag was definitely a little better on fuel for me compared to the 383 but not noticeably worse. Was originally thinking of going with an outboard and bracket, but am very comfortable with the performance of the boat paired with a mercruiser with bravo one drive.

Is the outdrive capable of handling the torque over the LONG term ?

Bravo 1 is good for about 500-550HP for a couple of thousand hours if properly operated and maintained (for the newer 'sweptback' design). Older ones slightly less. The real limit is in torque though. Not too many small blocks can break them. Do a bunch of exits/re-entrys with the throttle improperly managed and you can break anything though.

This whole thread is right up my alley. I just put a brand new Alpha One Gen II outdrive on my 23 and am now in need of a repower. My 350 is tired. repowering with this 383 engine and a new complete sterndrive unit from SEI is WAY cheaper than any other option I can find. Im going to go this route along with a larger fuel tank. Thanks for all of the info.

I don't abuse my 383 and maintain the drive based on all recommendations made without cutting corners or delaying doing something that is obviously recommended as preventive maintenance. That being said I feel the 383 is the perfect motor for the boat and run her around 3000 to 3500. Cruising speed is right around 27knts. Do not push it up too much only to blow her out once in a while. A am not sure what the expectancy of the drive will be. My mechanic inspects is regularly and feels maintenance and RPMS are the main things to be aware of. Never push her too hard too long and don't step on her out of the hole a lot

What's the outdrive match for 383 if you don't want to worry about outdrive failure and want to run it at whatever speed desired.

Whatever speed meaning......if it's flat no worries to run/ cruise 35- 40 mph many miles.

Bravo 1 would be the most popular choice or Bravo 3 if you want duo prop.

Agree...I was going to go with the 3. Then the dealer just kept saying more service problems and 2 props. So I went with the 1 and it works just great.

I am also running a Bravo 1 with my 383. Top end is about 42knts with this setup.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...pictureid=1681