E-TEC vs Four Stroke

mjquatt · #1 06-05-2006, 10:01 PM

Thanks for all of the great information. It sounds like it is a matter of weighing out all of the options. Now let me throw a little curve in here. In 1999 OMC introduced the infamous FITCH engines. From what I understand the fuel delivery system was cutting edge but the computers were crap causing lots of problems and a bad name for OMC. In 2001 OMC reintroduced the system as the RAM FITCH. Pretty much the same delivery system but with new computer software or whatever? What this means for some of us bargin hunters out there is that because of the trouble with the first series of FITCHs the resale value on these motors is fairly low compared to a Yamaha or a Mercury. My question is are these later model RAM FITCHs worth looking at or did they have the same problems as the originals?

Jon G · #2 06-05-2006, 10:18 PM

You can get the olders fichts "new" on ebay cheap! no one wants to take a chance on getting one of the bad ones. The rule on those was if you got over 100hrs on it you were all set, if not it blew up and you had a chance of getting a "good" powerhead. What is the weight differance between between the two? if I remember the 150 e tec is close to suzi 140? Its the carbed engines that are nice and light.

riprunner · #3 06-06-2006, 09:02 AM

The new ficht motors are excellent and have a good reputation of bein reliable, I would look at 2002 or newer. Your right the main issue in many of the newer technology 2 strokes has been with the computer. The Optimax, or Optibomb as they were once called are now very good motors as well. The nice thing is you almost can't go wrong with any of the new motors out today!

Hooper · #4 07-18-2006, 01:18 PM

Couple points here as I was in a similar situation a couple years ago....

I repowered my 1983 SeaCraft with a 2003 Evinrude 225 by Bombardier. I paid particular attention to the weight of the engine, the Yammie and Honda 4 bangers had way more weight than I was comfortable hanging on the back of an old SeaCraft.

That's #1, Number 2, be sure if you decide to buy an older Evinrude Ficht, that it is built under the Bombardier ownership. From my understanding there were a lot of things at the factory that were way out of tolerance builting engines that were way out of tolerance. They went through everything and now are building a fine engine. I have 500 hours on mine and it's treated me right.

eggsuckindog · #5 07-19-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Couple points here as I was in a similar situation a couple years ago....

I repowered my 1983 SeaCraft with a 2003 Evinrude 225 by Bombardier. I paid particular attention to the weight of the engine, the Yammie and Honda 4 bangers had way more weight than I was comfortable hanging on the back of an old SeaCraft.

That's #1, Number 2, be sure if you decide to buy an older Evinrude Ficht, that it is built under the Bombardier ownership. From my understanding there were a lot of things at the factory that were way out of tolerance builting engines that were way out of tolerance. They went through everything and now are building a fine engine. I have 500 hours on mine and it's treated me right.

As a note to you repower guys, my guy has 2 of these in the box which he locked the 7yr warrenty on a 225 and a 250 and they are much cheaper than the ETEC's but very close on technoligy and excellent motors.