Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

[ljenks]

Hey guys, I have a 2007 Tahoe 215 I/O with a carbed 4.3 mercruiser. For the most part, we just cruise around with the family & pull tubes.

I am new to the whole boating thing & would like to get a little more out of the motor???

What are some recommendations for some hop-ups that I can do? Which are best bang for your buck?

Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[Yellow Yota]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

Best one I can think of would be to start over with a bigger motor! That's a lot of boat for a v-6!

Other than that, be prepared to lose some top speed and get a lower pitched prop.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

Ayuh,... If you've got a 2bbl. carb,... Switch to a 4bbl. Carb,+ manifold...

If you've already got a 4bbl. carb,.... Enjoy it....

 

[floater180]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

Get a real good prop to maximize that motor. I only have a 175 hp but got over 10mph more on the top end and a much better hole shot(stop to plane)

 

[Dothedew]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

Agreed, chance prop pitch for either more acceleration, or more speed. That'll be your biggest seat of the pants feel. Or a blower, that'll usually fix both.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

You should have got the boat with a 135HP 4 cylinder motor. Maybe someone would be willing to trade you their 4 cylinder for your V6.

Seems that everyone that has an I4 on the I4 vs V6 power threads is more than happy with the performance of their boats. Supposedly they easily do 40-50 MPH and pull up several skiers at a time with 5 or 6 people in the boat.

 

[z284u2try]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

350

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

You should have got the boat with a 135HP 4 cylinder motor. Maybe someone would be willing to trade you their 4 cylinder for your V6.

Seems that everyone that has an I4 on the I4 vs V6 power threads is more than happy with the performance of their boats. Supposedly they easily do 40-50 MPH and pull up several skiers at a time with 5 or 6 people in the boat.

smart alec...

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

smart alec...

to OP. been there done that. Bond-O's on the money. other than that, it's time for a bigger engine or both a bigger engine and different boat... imho

 

[jkust]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

So your boat weighs 500lbs more than my boat with the same engine. My boat is on the edge of what you generally see a 4.3 carb pushing. I am suprised to tell the truth that the 190hp was the standard power for your boat but I see it was. I would expect a 5.7 carb or 5.0mpi at the minimum for your boat. With the 4bbl carb and the new intake you will gain apparently around +-20hp and I don't know how much more torque. The change out isn't that cheap. As for a prop, which is the first logical choice, what are your WOT rpm's, and your current prop stats? Diameter, pitch, ss or alum. For instance my 4.3 has the stock, alum, 21 1/4, 21 pitch prop. I expect that you have the 1.81 drive ratio as well. My thought is your boat is simply underpowered regardless of any changes to the current engine you make. I do get a kick out of 45Auto's response. I am suprised at how vehemently people defend their 3.0's.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

You should have got the boat with a 135HP 4 cylinder motor. Maybe someone would be willing to trade you their 4 cylinder for your V6.

Seems that everyone that has an I4 on the I4 vs V6 power threads is more than happy with the performance of their boats. Supposedly they easily do 40-50 MPH and pull up several skiers at a time with 5 or 6 people in the boat.

LINK

 

[SeanMcl]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

Get a real good prop to maximize that motor. I only have a 175 hp but got over 10mph more on the top end and a much better hole shot(stop to plane)

What prop swap gives you 10 MPH more speed AND a better hole shot? I am not doubting, just curious.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

What prop swap gives you 10 MPH more speed AND a better hole shot? I am not doubting, just curious.

one that had all three blades instead of the original that had one broken off?

just pulling your chain...

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Best hop-ups for 4.3 mercuiser

350, mild cam. Talk to guys about cam though as LSA is an issue. The most amount of head you can buy. Mild comp. You will have 375hp easy. Or just live with it. The most bang for your buck is prop. Try pirahna. It's composite and I change blades in the lake to change from wakeboarding to cruising. Takes about 2 minutes.