4.3 or 5.0 Repower

[gemcitypos]

I just purchased a REPO'd 94 Maxum 2050 srb with no engine as a project boat for my 18y.o. and 16 y.o. sons ... for cheap .... $800. Everything else is in decent shape concidering.

Boat originally had a 4.3 LX w/Alpha One.

Maxum offered a 5.0 as an option on this boat and I spoke to them and they say a 5.0 will definatley fit.

Now the question:

Should I just buy a 4.3 and put it in or use the opportunity to put in a 5.0?

Either way ..where is the best place to buy a complete motor (4.3 or 5.0)

Thanks in advance..

 

[mtnrat]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Put in a 5.7.

 

[gemcitypos]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Will a 5.7 will fit?
I only thought about the 5.0 because itwas an option originally.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

The 5.0 and 5.7 have the same physical dimensions, the displacement difference is all inside.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

another vote for 5.7

if you've got the engine accessories for the 4.3 (don't get car stuff, only marine), pick up a marine 5.7 long block with tin if you can, or can get tin for pretty cheap from summit, etc... If you don;t have the rest of the engine components, etc.. you may need to buy a complete set up from a "donor" boat or something lf the like in order to get everything that you need the cheapest.

Take a few pics of the engine compartment and post them along with more detailed questions and I'm sure someone on here will answer them. also, the search function is great. chances are saomeone else has asked a lot of the same questions you might have before.

Good luck!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Gem, yes, put in a 5.7. Find one complete on EBay if possible.

But be aware, while a small block Chevy V8 (that's what a 5.0 and a 5.7 are) may fit in the engine bay, you will almost certainly need to move the front motor mounts on the stringers. Or custom make some extensions to the motor mounts on the engine. Not a huge deal, but it will have to be done.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

G-d with everyone telling you to go bigger i have to say go with what was in the boat.

A 4.3 mpi will give you close to what a 5.0 will give you. Cheaper on gas also.

Alot of money for a new motor dressed complete.

However a good running fresh water motor used could be the ticket.

If you can find one.

Where you located?

Now to what you asked michigan motors is where a friend bought his motor.

 

[tmh]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

I vote for a 5.7L also. I found a good used (complete) one from around the age of your boat for $1300 this past year for upgrading my power......runs great. IF the boat was in great shape and a new engine would make it like new, then I might buy a new engine, but a 1994 boat - you could buy a great used one that old for the price of a new engine.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Good point below on the engine mounts. Also, depending on how much was left behind when the previous engine was removed and what the overall goals are, it might be easier to put a 4.3 in it. with a 4.3 configured right that boat will probably run upper 40's no problem - plenty fast for some great playing and also probably yield better fuel economy than the 5.7 - not a monor consideration for a couple of teenagers who want to spend a whole day wakeboarding with their friends...

Gem, yes, put in a 5.7. Find one complete on EBay if possible.

But be aware, while a small block Chevy V8 (that's what a 5.0 and a 5.7 are) may fit in the engine bay, you will almost certainly need to move the front motor mounts on the stringers. Or custom make some extensions to the motor mounts on the engine. Not a huge deal, but it will have to be done.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

What about the HP rating for the boat?
Will it handle a 5.7?

 

[MikDee]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

I agree, it's not worth it to switch to a 305, there's very little to be gained by the extra work, & weight, with that engine. You're better off sticking with a good running 4.3V6 it's no slouch at all, or even better with a 5.7, that would be worth the work, it would use a bit more gas, but be quite fast. It all depends on how fast you want to let the boys go

 

[gatesmoonwalker]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Only one place I will ever purchase Marine motor.
Shultz boys out in Reno Nevada. Prices are great, its a smaller outfit where you get a one man rebuild not an assembly line process.
They have two year warranty on their remans.
Simple - It breaks you get a new one.

 

[gemcitypos]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

First of all Thanks for all the Help.

I will take some picks of the engine compartment tonite (In So Cal) and post them.

Also, I was told by the manufacturer that the motor mounts would not have to be moved and the outdriver wouldnt need to be re-geared. That is why I was concidering a 5.0.

Plus I may have a free/friends chevy 305 out of an old 78 Beachcraft he is parting out. I know this motor is in good shape. Would need to get all of the extra pumps etc.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Ok, this is the other half of the story, you have an engine available. This will work, as apparently you've never experienced how the boat runs with the 4.3. The 305 2bbl (198hp), unless it is a late model Vortec, is almost the same horsepower as the 4.3 4bbl (190hp), but it maybe a bit better on gas having smaller pistons, and requiring less power to drive the boat because it's a V8.

I wouldn't doubt the engine would bolt right up to the mounts, because not long ago I did this swap in a 78' Chevelle wagon, everything bolted up, even the Y-pipe on the exhaust.

But, your boat, & motor being a 1994, may have a different bell housing, flywheel, & coupler, setup then the 78' ?

And, You will probably need new center rise exhaust manifolds, & elbows, to match the newer 4.3 style
, they should match up to the 4.3 Y-pipe (but maybe 4" size on the newer 4.3, as opposed to the early 3" size that was standard on the old 78' V8's) it's a good idea going with new manifolds anyway!

 

[gemcitypos]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Ok Here are some pictures of the engine compartment.

After cleaning up the boat a bit and quick inventory ....
As the pictures show .... Correct me if I am wrong but it looks like I still have the pulleys, starter, Power steering pump, bellhousing, engine coupler, distributer, and carb.

So it seems I may only need a .... Long Block engine, exhaust Manifolds with risers, and an intake. And for good measure a new carb, and distributer.

What would y'all do.

4.3 or 5.0 or 5.7

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

If you get your friends 1978 305, get everything, and I mean everything. That way, you'll have what you need. Cause the flywheel, starter, and coupler from your 4.3 will not fit that 1978 305.
I also wouldn't pay him much money for it. As stated above, a 1978 305 2bbl is rated at 198hp, at the flywheel. The modern 4.3MPIs are rated 225hp, at the propshaft!
I still vote for a complete 5.7 take out engine, if you are going to spend any real money.

 

[ne7800]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

if it was me i would go with the v8 over the v6 even if the hp was the same cuz you will never make the 6 sound like a 8 and for a couple of teenagers they will want it to sound cool

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

I don't know where you are but here in jacksonville fl there is 2 5.7 completes with 4 bbls and everything just plug and play. They are on criagslist and in orlando there is a 305 . I would get a 350 you will be thankful later.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

hold on a min. it looks like you've got all the marine stuff except for manifolds (you'll want to add any way) to drop in a new reman 5.7 longblock... add a cheap aluminum intake, marine 4bbl and you're good to go with more like 270 - 300 horsepower. that'll wake that boat up a bit.

This is from someone who put a new vortec, 220++ horsepower 4.3 in a boat last year, and then decided I wanted more so swapped it out again for a bigger engine.

that boat would move right along with a 350 / 5.7 in it, but it's not going to be enough to be unsafe or anything...

you should be fine running the same gear ratio, you'll be able to get props with enough pitch...

my two cents...


Just think, you could let your boys extend the risers to ward off reversion, run the exhaust through the hull and add a little bigger cam so it'll sound way cool by teenager standards...

 

[mthieme]

Re: 4.3 or 5.0 Repower

Is the outdrive still there?
Some of the other more experienced Alpha guys might wanna comment on any gearing differences between the motors.