130 Honda or 135 optimax

[Vallejojoe]

Looking to buy new engine for 18' alum. boat looking for some comments on both engines, whoch way should I go?

 

[JB]

Re: 130 Honda or 135 optimax

Ahoy, Joe. Optimaxes are having some problems. Not as bad as FICHTs, but bad enough. There is a thread on another board I visit named "Optimax Woes" or something close to that. This Lawyer has been out of operation all summer while a dealer is failing to fix a warranty problem. The thread has over 60 posts.<br /><br />There seems to have been a valve/head problem with some mid-90s Honda 90s, but I can find zero negative info on the 130.<br /><br />Even without the above info, I would go with the 4 stroke as long as my boat could handle the weight comfortably. If you can wait a couple of months, Suzuki's new 140 will be available. It is going to weigh only 415lb!!<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: 130 Honda or 135 optimax

I look at it this way which would you rather have? Mercury sable or Honda accord its an easy choice for me.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 130 Honda or 135 optimax

Hey JB,<br />I was just posting on another board about the<br />Suzuki. Their 115HP currently weights 416# They must be doing some serious re- engineering to get the 140 down to 415#. Of course when you consider Mercury's 135HP 2 cycle carbureated motor weights in at 425#, that Suzuki really looks good weight wise.

 

[JB]

Re: 130 Honda or 135 optimax

Actually, Mike, if my spies are correct the fancy engineering introduces variable valve timing and lift to the 115 block along with some other Formula 1 technology to pump it up to 140. <br /><br />So the new DF140 is the same basic engine as the 115: 4 cylinders, 4 valves, twin OHcams, Still 2 liters. Still about 415lb. My guess is that it will have a range of 6000 to 6500rpm.<br /><br />Suzuki knows how to make that basic engine reliable at over 200hp if they have to, but they have to turn it over 8Krpm to do it.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB