4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

[cube21]

We found a 20' Bayliner 205 BR. A NEW 2007 model leftover. It has a 4.3L Mercruiser MPI fuel injected engine, 220 HP.
In our search for a 20' bowrider we have been looking only for a boat with a 5.0L in/out engine. But I came accross this boat and wanted some feedback from you guys.

I realize that the 4.3L MPI (injected) has the same HP as a 5.0L (carbed).
-So do these engines do the same job?
-In general (for a 20' boat), would it be better to have a smaller, fuel injected engine, or a larger, but standard engine with the same HP?

Most of this boats use will be with the weight of 4-6 adults in it plus gear, etc. I'm just trying to find out if this boat is worth looking at, or if I should pass it up to find something more powerful.

Any input is appreciated.
thanks.
-CUBE-

 

[tmh]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

That Bayliner would likely do very well with the 4.3 MPI. It may be slightly slower out of the hole than the 5.0L but plenty of power. i't not a heavy boat or a super deep hull. However, the more you load it with people/gear weight the more you'll need a lower pitch prop.

I'd take the 4.3L MPI over the 5.0L carbed myself.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

Have you read the Bayliner reviews done by our own iboats members? Here is one on the 205 http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=257043

 

[cube21]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

thanks for the quick replys. still want some more info though, feel free to join in!!!

I read through the review, looks like the bayliner 205 will make a good boat. granted this boat does not come with a tower or "flight graphics", but we will definately be adding a tower if we buy it.

~Need more info on these engines and their capabilities~
If we go with the 4.3L MPI and get a 4 blade SS prop, how much will it help the hole-shot?

-CUBE-

 

[lucky7]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

i have the 305 carb. every time i fire it up i'm glad its not a 6, just for the sound alone.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

i am the one that did the test on the first 205's out of the Factory, you do not need the 4 blade prop. the 4.3 mpi, i liked much better than the 5.0 carbed.

if i were in the market for a new boat, i would definitely buy a 205 with the 4.3 mpi.
of course it would be the fish n ski model.

the boat has a new center of gravity, they moved the cockpit forward, made the bow area a little smaller, moving the center of gravity, makes that boat pop up on plane really sweet.

we beat hell out of those boats. no rattles, everything worked perfectly.

 

[tmh]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

I agree with Tash on the power - i drove one also last summer with a 4.3L MPI and it had PLENTY of power. It is the right engine for that boat.

I'd get a 4 blade SS if i planned to do lots of water sports ....... as a matter of fact i did get one, different boat though. Point is, you certainly don't NEED the 4 blade SS, but it is a better prop for many things than a stock 3 blade alum.

btw, the "Flight Series", IMO has somewhat cool graphics NOW, but it may look goofy in 5-10 years - dated, etc. THAT won't help with resale value. Also, more graphics to peel and get crappy looking. Plain is fine, IMO.

 

[stackz]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

stay with the fuel injection. so much easier to diagnose and tune (as long as you know how to use datalogging software and have a way to flash the ecu).

also, the weight savings from losing 2 cylinders is nice. you know a 4.3 is just a chevy 350 with two cylinders lopped off right?? you can use 350 rods/pistons in those engines as well as you can use the same valves, etc. even cam profiles are the same, you just order one for a 4.3 instead obviously.

oh yeah, is that a regular 4.3 or a vortec 4.3??

 

[mphy98]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

my vote is injection all the way. less maintence, easier starting, better gph fuel economy.

 

[QC]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

Didn't the "new" 205 start in 2008? This is a 2007?

 

[cube21]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

my vote is injection all the way. less maintence, easier starting, better gph fuel economy.

I am hearing a lot about how MPI is much better than carbuerated in terms of reliability, etc. But my primary concern is power. I need to be 100% sure this engine will give me plenty of torque for water sports with 1000 lbs in the boat.
Really...were strongly considering buying this boat, and I don't want to regret having a smaller engine....ever.

So can you guys reassure me I am making the right choice?

thank you all!
-CUBE-

 

[superpop]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

I have a 1996 Wellcraft that is a little heavier boat but it is a 19.6 foot model and it has the 4.3L 4 Barrel and it has plenty of power. I have a 17P prop on it and it yanks anyone out of the water with around 800 pounds in the boat. I think you will be fine with the V6 especially if it is the MPI model. I would take that over a carbed 5.0 any day.

 

[QC]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

I personally believe the hole shot will be as good, you've got a little lighter weight etc. If you are talking wakeboarding or even tubing then power is not a big deal. Many think tubing is a big load, but compared to a deepwater slalom start it is nothing. I used to pull two good slalom skiers out with a 140 I/O. It was a biotch, they were good, and not big people, but it could do it. With that said, if you are wanting arm yanking slalom starts, with a boatload, neither will do that without a low(er) pitch prop and even then this is not a tournament boat. Anything but 300+ power will struggle and even then, most I/O single props just don't do that job very well. Again, deepwater slalom starts with a boatload. Anything else it will do fine.

If you are worried about power and/or speed, then you want a 5.0 MPI or up. The 205 with a 250 carbed 5.7 is a rocket. I Was the other one that tested and I was very impressed. Again, this was a 2008, so that needs to be considered too. Deadrise degrees and weight will be the items affecting performance numbers the most. If those numbers are close, performance will be close with the saem powerplants.

 

[tmh]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

Well, I think folks have given pretty specific answers here, but I'll add one thing. It's a 20' boat, but fairly light weight - however because it's a 20-footer you can load 20' worth of people and gear so the weight can go up a lot. So then you have a heavier 20' boat. The 4.3L MPI or 5.0L carbed are both appropriate engines for that boat.

With either engine, ff you want great pull with a load of people you MAY get it with that engine and a lower pitch 4 or 5 blade prop, but that will make top end suffer some. However, if you want no compromises and will have a full 20' boat you'll need the 5.0 MPI or better yet the 5.7L MPI (350 Mag injected).

 

[EAVES]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

THE 4.3 MPI has plenty of useable power and i am not a fan of stainless props on pleasure boats simply b/c i would rather buy a alum. prop if i hit something instead of putting in a prop shaft. I say this b/c money is tight now days and i really look after my customers and their boats. And im not saying that Aluminum props are better im just saying it will save you money in the long run.

 

[danfrompgh]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

I love my 5.0 carbed because thats all I've ever had. Plenty of power for anything the kids want to do and runs all day on a tank of gas. No more maint than my brothers 5.0 FI. His is just a tick quicker to plane.
That being said there is a funny habit boat owners have. The what ifs! The 4.3 is plenty of motor but...what if it had the bigger motor? If your questioning the power already,upgrade, and you'll have less doubt.
Buy what you can afford and remember its a buyers market not a sellers. Especially true when you outgrow that 20 footer.
Enjoy the summers, they're too short!!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

I'm not big on I/Os or inboards, so I can't offer much about the choice of these two engines in a boat. What I can say is that I have a 4.3 litre engine in my Astrovan. I have over 160,000 miles on it and have done nothing to the motor, except the 100,000 mile "tuneup." I tow with the van frequently and drive mostly "around town," so the miles have been "hard miles." This motor never fails me and I wouldn't think twice about driving the vehicle anywhere.

In my opinion, the 4.3 litre GM engine has been one of the best motors ever made. Based on that information, and what has been said here, if I were in the market for a boat with one in it, I wouldn't hesitate to buy.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

At first glance it seems to a very good question. To answer it correctly is beyond my abiltiy, But this i can tell you...there is no real difference. The 4.3 has been taken to higher levels of tech and the 5.0 is in a very dumbed down state,

For all practical applications the 4.3 is a better investment for the money. Yes a 5.0 could be developed into a screaming monster but it would cost you thousnads to get there.

That might be answer here,,,the 4.3 is that much more advanced than the 5.0 and the very basic reason of your question.... And to top it off the 4.3 with tech will problably be more reliable.

 

[Varago]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

Hmm this seems to be the key

"Really...were strongly considering buying this boat, and I don't want to regret having a smaller engine....ever."

Considering the "EVER" part I would say yes you will regret it someday and want a bigger motor. Spend some time looking at iBoats for what is for sale under used boats 18-20. There are sooooooooo many 4.3 and most of them are in guess what boat, yep bayliners, its page after page after page of em.

I had a rather large post for this but then something came to me, if you read the iBoats forums for long there is one recuring theme that comes up time and time again.

Bigger motors with more Horse Power

Dave

 

[Shizzy]

Re: 4.3L Injected vs. 5.0L Carbed (20' Bayliner)

you are not really comparing apples to apples with an EFI and Carbed engine. FI has the ability to produce more power and get better mileage due to the more precise fuel/air management. I have owned carburated cars, and motorcycles over the years and Im all for FI at this point in my life. Turn the key and go. No worries of rebuilding the carb every couple of years.

4.3 all the way I say.