Can I Use a 5.7 Truck Vortec and buy a Merruiser Engine Harness and Make it Work?

[jgrisham02633]

So I've been trying to wrap my head around the difference electrically between a truck and mercruiser 5.7 vortec. I know know there are other differences that should be addressed but my main hangup is how the ECM, and wiring differ. Can I just buy a 5.7 vortec model mercruiser engine harness and PCM and be good to go? Or do I need other provisions (electrical) to make it work safely? Is it possible/safe to use the truck ecm? Basically I want ghetto rigged, big dollar MPI mercruiser. Whats the skinny?

 

[H20Rat]

Almost every truck ECM is also going to expect inputs from sensors that don't exist in a boat. First and foremost, sort of missing a transmission! Next up would be emissions controls, speed sensors, and differences in intake/exhaust.

(not to mention, using non-marine rated electronics, (ECM, alternator, ignition) in a marine environment is bad idea, potentially deadly actually.)

Far better option would be to buy a carbed marine crate 5.7 longblock, and do a marine off-the-shelf EFI conversion. Still a fair amount of work, but nothing compared to touching a modern vehicle ECU and wiring harness.

 

[bruceb58]

http://www.michiganmotorz.com/comple...-31_49_79.html