Quote:
Originally Posted by doradohunter
Questions on motors... I was pricing out some motors today, I can get a brand new Suzuki 150SS for $8900 or a new DF140 for $8700 and a new DF175 for $9800. So my question is which would you go with and why? The weight on the 140 is 396 pounds, 150 and 175 is 474 pounds. The 150SS is an underrated 150 and is probably pushing 175hp. Will the DF140 push the 20fter decently? What say ye?
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I agree with Ken, I'd pick the 140. It's plenty of power for a 20 unless you plan to carry very heavy loads or cruise at 30-35 kts! Motor weight is a big deal on the 20 if you want the best ride and min planing speeds of around 12 mph like they were designed to do! You must be looking at 20" shaft motors, because I think the 25" 140 was something like 415-420 lbs. When you consider WET weight (add ~2 gal/15 lbs for lube & gear oil), the bigger motors are close to 500 lbs, or about
200 lbs more than the boat was designed for! On the bigger motors, I'd pick the 175 over the 150 because it's the same weight but has variable valve timing, which allows you to run more cam duration for high speed power but still have decent low end power and a smooth idle. NAEBM standards require actual hp to be within
+ 10%, so the "150" could be about 165 hp at the prop.
Another option in the 400 lb weight range, if you don't mind a throw-away sleeveless engine block, is the 115 Merc 4S. An even better option IMHO is the 2.6L 150/175/200hp small block G1 E-TEC (actual hp of ~165/185/195) which weighs about the same as the 140, but has much more displacement and low end torque, a simple rugged block that's been around for 25 years, and surprisingly good fuel economy. (Once I got my motor height correct and the right prop, I'm seeing about 4 mpg at a 27-28 mph cruise, and
10 mpg at 5 mph; in 2010, with the wrong engine height and less efficient prop (~3.75 mpg cruise), I made a 700 mile run circumnavigating S. Fla. carrying a very heavy cruising load, and averaged 4.4 mpg for the entire trip.) Prices are probably higher than the Zukes, but the G-1 models may be cheaper now that they've come out with the G-2 version, which has integral hydraulic steering, digital throttle and shift, and the oil tank on motor. They also typically run special deals this time of year. Although the G-2 E-TECs are supposed to be at least 15% better in fuel economy, I don't recommend them for the 20, as they're even heavier than comparable 4-strokes!