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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
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.
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
