TSUNAMI I/O repower

ScottM · #1 01-30-2003, 10:31 AM

Chris,
I agree with John. That 5 liter may be a little strained under the load. Any idea how well it ran with the 188hp (must be a straight 6?)? I would think that engine was under quite a bit of strain.

BTW, I fish the Derby every year so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for your boat. What's the hull color? Where are you keeping it?

CRO · #2 01-30-2003, 11:19 AM

Scott

The 188 HP is a ford base 302ci block V8. The previous owner said that it went OK. The reason I want to go with the lower HP is that my son is mostly going to be using the boat and I don't want it to be to fast! The hull has been hand painted black and we will keep it in Tashmoo. Thanks

John R · #3 01-30-2003, 11:55 AM

Chris - if you want to keep it a little meaker, look into the slightly modded 4.3 V6 package. It's already lighter than the 8, it's a common block as it's a chevy 350 missing 2 cylinders, a great motor - I had one from 88-92, and can be easily tweaked to 220HP carbed or stock EFI. With the EFI V-6 you'll get much better fuel economy, less weight in the stern and might not be too much more than the carbed 8... Worth looking into.

Good luck

Briguy · #4 01-30-2003, 12:36 PM

The 5.7 260hp motor will probably add substatially to the overall resale value of the boat vs. the 4.3. That 4.3, while a good motor, cannot match the torque of the 5.0 or 5.7 v8. Load that boat up with 80 gal's of fuel,fishing tackle and 4 guys, that thing will be a dog out of the hole. You are talking about 4500 lbs loaded. As for economy, a 5.0 or 5.7 will loaf along at 24kts while the 4.3 will probably buzz at 3800 rpm to maintain that, pushing an obviously smaller prop. If you don't trust your son to drive the boat responsibly, then don't let him use it. Go for the 5.7.

GetReel · #5 01-30-2003, 02:21 PM

OK, so here is my 2 cents, Briguy is making the right call here, if you get less than 5.7 you'll never get that bitch out of the hole with a full load, you need the torque from the 5.7 and you then cruise all day at 22-24 kts. with MPI at 3200 and burn 8 GPH...you don't want to under power her. I put in a 454 Vortec and have no regrets

John R · #6 01-30-2003, 03:35 PM

I stand corrected [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

My choice - if it were mine with a few $$ to spend - for an I/O would be a fuel infected 350. That 454 would be a couple hundred more pounds in the stern but it would certainly move out. The 4.3 option is purely the low end of the HP ticket out of all these engines. Just my thinking. These guys are right in that a 350 would be the better all around choice....

Water Rat · #7 01-30-2003, 06:24 PM

Chris:

I am also a new member to the CS site. This is my first time responding to a question on the forum board - hopefully I have done it correctly (I am semi-literate with computers). First of all, I am amazed at how much information is available on this site - "Trayder" has done an incredible job. To that end, if you have not already, I suggest going back over old posts for additional information.

I am responding to your questions between meetings and am pressed for time right now (though you can see where my priorities are) but felt compelled to since I am the original owner of a 1978 Sceptre, and have repowered once already with a MerCruiser 454/Bravo One package. Will be happy to share my two cents - however, it might be easier by telephone or I will try to e-mail you later. However, one thought now is that I strongly agree that a 350 block/260 hp would be the minimum to go with. My original pwoer was a 305/230 hp and felt it was underpowered. Also, going with a Bravo 1 vs. Alpha has many advantages. Good luck and feel free to pick my brain further.