Re: Anyone know why the hp difference in same size motor
Generally you'll find a 5hp difference will be in the carb throat size, necessitating a different intake. There aren't restrictor plates. Different exhaust stacks become more prevalent in the upper HP ranges, or in OMC's case, the racing 15 & 40. The difference in price between the 20 and 25 will probably reflect the price of a carb and intake. At that engine level, it becomes too expensive to be using a bunch of different CDIs, heads, stacks, etc. Your '86 Zuki 15 and the 9.9 were identical except for the throat of the carb and the amount of throw the magneto plate gave the linkage. If you had a 9.9, you could get 12.5HP by removing the screw!
Back to your 20/25...First off, when a dealer becomes a dealer, he pays through the ying-yang for factory stuff. What you think is easy for him to send is proprietary information--which may or may not be 100% correct--and may open him up to dealer cancellation, or a lawsuit if you elect to order something that (for instance) ups your HP to 25, while your boat is rated for 20, and your actions cause an accident. Lawyers will go for your pockets, the dealer's pockets, and Yamaha's pockets. Your possible future business probably doesn't carry a lot of weight in this case. Additionally, the engine is an EPA engine, with certified emissions. If you modify it and are caught, you're sublect to a $5000 fine--the first time. When I started working on marine engines in the late 50s, legal ramifications were never considered. everything was done on a gentleman's handshake and agreement. My, hasdn't civilization advanced....