Mercruiser Pricing

[FLexpat]

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.

[73tsunami]

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.

[Entourage]

How is the fuel economy cruising at 28kts?

[Islandtrader]

Originally Posted by Entourage

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.

[73tsunami]

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.

[bgreene]

Originally Posted by 73tsunami

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 ?

[FLexpat]

Originally Posted by bgreene

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.

[jnamowitz]

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.

[73tsunami]

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

[bgreene]

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.