Need some motor guidance

[rogerwa]

I am going to swap motors on my 25' pontoon to the maximum rated Hp of 90.

It currently has a Tohatsu 40 hp and while it runs well, I would rather my motor not have to work as hard, and would like a few more MPHs.

I am looking at two different motors of the 90hp variety and would like some advice.

First motor is a 1995 Johnson 88 SPL with TNT, full controls, etc.

Second is a 1989 Nissan 90hp TNT controls, etc.. This motor is attractive because Nissan and Tohatsu are essentially the same motor, thus the controls and harness are compatible. I have read nothing but positive comments about the Nissans and Tohatsus as far as reliability. It is also $700 cheaper.

The reason the Johnson appeals to me is that it is a very common motor with a good reputation, parts are plentiful, is newer, and it is a 4 cylinder (Vs the Nissan 3). But would be a more difficult install.

Is there a big difference between 3&4 cylinder motors? Or doesn't it matter. I have a big barge I am pushing around so I need a lot of grunt.

What would you think is a better option. BTW, I live inthe north where an 89 wouldn't be that scary due to shorter boating season.

thanks..

 

[hitace]

Re: Need some motor guidance

the johnson would probably be a bit faster and give you better acceleration with its extra cylinder.they Ben around for many many years and made some of the best outboards ever made."a million sea horse owners will tell you johnson knows best" said in 1957

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need some motor guidance

johnson ..........

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need some motor guidance

i have a 1988 88spl, the best motor i've ever owned. it's definately worth the extra money, and prefer 4 cylinder any day over 3 cylinder. height and propped properly on that big toon, you will be totally happy.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need some motor guidance

BTW what the SPL for? I thought I read that it meant it didn't come with VRO and TNT. Is that correct?

They are selling this for $2495. I have not yet checked it out, but the pics look like it is good shape. I am thinking I can sell my Tohatsu locally for ~$1400.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need some motor guidance

The "SPL" stands for "special". It was a lower cost version of the 90 in that it didn't have oil injection. You will have to mix oil and gas at 50:1 with that motor. That motor has much higher displacement so it will provide much more grunt than the three bangers. At slower speeds the three cylinder engines will likely be a tad more economical but at wide open throttle, both engines will burn close to the same amount of fuel (about 9 gallons/hour).

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Need some motor guidance

The three cylinder Nissan should push you around 1 to 2 mph faster than the Rude with the same pitch prop. However, the Rude has more of a boost up to about 1/2 throttle. The Rude is newer, which is always a plus, but sucks a lot more fuel. Both are dead designs. Both are good solid engines. Either one is a crap shoot. Just buy one or the other and don't worry about it.

 

[hitace]

Re: Need some motor guidance

The three cylinder Nissan should push you around 1 to 2 mph faster than the Rude with the same pitch prop. However, the Rude has more of a boost up to about 1/2 throttle. The Rude is newer, which is always a plus, but sucks a lot more fuel. Both are dead designs. Both are good solid engines. Either one is a crap shoot. Just buy one or the other and don't worry about it.

you sure love your jap motors dont you?there is no way that the nissan would be faster then that johnson.that nissan owner would be left choking in the johnson's fumes.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Need some motor guidance

The difference is that I've run both and actually know what I am talking about. But, if you want to believe that the Evinrude is better because its....E V I N R U D E....Then you go right ahead and believe it.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need some motor guidance

Why would the Nissan be faster? Weight??

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Need some motor guidance

Exhaust tuning, lower unit design and because it's J A P A N E S E. The Evinrude is a good, solid workhorse. It has more raw, available CC, but it's not used as well as the Nissan. They are very close in overall performance with the Nissan being a much better fuel miser. Keep in mind they are both prop shaft rated 90's, so their differences in performance at the same RPM are plus and minus for each engine. If they were the same year the Nissan, with it's oil injection, would be the better choice. But, since they are not, it's really a toss up as to the better choice.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need some motor guidance

I can't believe I am saying this but the Nissan does have a better top end guys ... I have raced these motors .... a nissan / tohatsu have that little extra you can push it - as for the one argument .... and for the other .... I will choose the johnson cause it is newer ... it goes without saying ....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need some motor guidance

the spl is for special. it is the same engine as the 90 hp with out the VRO pump as mentioned. it is based one the proven V4 design that has been around for 35 years, and they are still running stong. if it wasn't a good design, they would have dropped it years ago.

you are pushing a big barge, you need the cubic inches, and as said the grunt power of the 88 spl. the nissan may beat the 88 on a regular boat, but i seriously doubt it on the barge. the 88 will get it moving with a lot less stress.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need some motor guidance

Thanks all for your opinions. If it wasn't for the easy hook up of the Nissan, I probably wouldn't consider it for the very reasons Tashas stated. In fact I am leaning toward the Johnson. I have no probelms with a Nissan, in fact the Tohastsu 40 that I have performs very well considering the load.

We often take 11-15 people out on this thing and sometime even tow a tube, which is less than exciting with the 40Hp. When I am going flat out into the wind, thats a tall order and I would rather have as much grunt as possible. the fuel, while a nice side effect of the Nissan, would come second to performance.

For swapping them, do I need a hoist or can two guys lift it to mount?

 

[JasonB]

Re: Need some motor guidance

That 88 probably weight 325-350. I would use a hoist/cherry picker. Lots of odd shaped top heavy weight to try to man handle.

 

[ScottG76]

Re: Need some motor guidance

Thanks all for your opinions. If it wasn't for the easy hook up of the Nissan, I probably wouldn't consider it for the very reasons Tashas stated. In fact I am leaning toward the Johnson. I have no probelms with a Nissan, in fact the Tohastsu 40 that I have performs very well considering the load.

We often take 11-15 people out on this thing and sometime even tow a tube, which is less than exciting with the 40Hp. When I am going flat out into the wind, thats a tall order and I would rather have as much grunt as possible. the fuel, while a nice side effect of the Nissan, would come second to performance.

For swapping them, do I need a hoist or can two guys lift it to mount?

Definitely go with the Nissan. It will be much easier to hook up and it's cheaper. Plus it's Japanese so you know it will be very reliable. I'm looking for new engine and I have the same dilema right now. Do I stay with a rude and make hook up easy, or do I get a Yamaha like I want to.

 

[hitace]

Re: Need some motor guidance

you cant beat AMERICAN steal and AMERICAN MADE .i think evinrude's history speaks for it self.why do you think there is so many old rude/johny's still around?its not because they made them cheap and with poor designs.when ever i get something that says made in japan it breaks and falls apart.when you buy something that is AMERICAN made it cost more but last much longer.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Need some motor guidance

If I want something that works I buy the item with the best value. Where it is made is of absolutely no importance to me. If we all bought American, then American would be crap because it would have no import brand(s) to compete with and would never have improvements.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need some motor guidance

OK I went ahead and bought the Nissan. I went to look at them and the Nissan was in excellent condition. The Johnson showed that it had the head gaskets replaced and for what reason who knows.

They set up the Nissan to run and it ran very well. It was hard to tell it was an 89. I think I got a good deal because I think the dealer had to price it lower because it was not a Merc or a Johnny/Ev.

From my perspective, it was $700 cheaper, in like new condition, and would be a cinch to hook up.

They will fully service it before delivery (Carb cleaning, adjustment, water pump, link and synch, timing, etc). It ran just fine as it was but I will not complain..

Oddly enough, the previous owner had it on a pontoon that they used to tube and ski behind. Since the kids are grown, they now wanted to downsize to a 40. Too bad we couldn't have just done a swap..