Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

[gmctodd]

Hello,
Was hoping to win the multi state powerball lottery last week then I wouldn't need to ask these questions BUT! Anyway looking at buying a new boat 19-20' debating whether to spend the extra on loading up with options or upgrading to the 4.3L 220HP MPI. Wifey won't let me have it all. Actually, not the wife the checkbook!!!!!!!!
The boat will mainly be used by my family of three to cruise and pull a tube. Ocassionally will be doing the family thing though! Definetly will have a SS prop and will be operated at about 780' above sea level.

Thanks
Todd

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

if you can afford the mpi than that would be my choice.

 

[QC]

Re: Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

Simple for me, because it's not my budget . . . 8) Get the highest HP, MPI you can afford. You can add other stuff later, but changing the engine is, eh, well, more expensive than a CD player, boat cover, cool trailer wheels etc. etc. As long as the power is right, you will be happy with your boat. Congratulations on getting her this far!!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

I'm with QC on this one...if MPI is within your reach for some small sacrifice (not sure which options you're talking about, but I assume they're minor and not things like a trailer, etc.) then get it.

Damn that pirate period parenthesis glitch...

 

[Don S]

Re: Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

Put a space between the period and the parenthesis, No more pirate

 

[Boatist]

Re: Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

Go with the MPI for sure. You can start and back off the trailer with out a 5 minute warm up. More power, better fuel mileage and it turn the key and go just like todays cars.

 

[andy1canada]

Re: Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

Hey gmctodd... howdy from Victoria BC Canada!

It appears you and I share a similar dilema, as well as similar boats.
(my first post on this site {MPI vs. Carb} is sitting a coupla' slots down from this one)

If this info helps you I'll toss it out there.

I too was considering the 4.3 MPI/220 horse. It's a hundred pounds lighter than the 350 and sucks a bit less gas (depending on the job it has to do)

My mechanic advised me to go with the 350 for two reasons:

1) for the extra 100 lbs. the 350 puts out a lot more torque which should allow one to swing a higher pitched wheel... which should translate into more of that fun go-fast stuff.

2) the 350 has been around a long time and is arguably the most widespread and popular push-rod small block on the planet - parts are a dime a dozen. He also encouraged me to check the difference in price between a 4.3 long-block vs. a 350.

The boat I just bought weighs in at 3000/lbs with a small block Ford in it. I honestly don't think a 350 in this boat is going to use a heck of alot more gas and it'll do more work with less effort.

Now all I need to do is decide on MPI vs. a carb'ed engine.

What I would like to know is:

How long has the MPI marine setup been in use?

What sort of track-record does it have thus far?

Cheers,
Terry

 

[180shabah]

Re: Dilema here carb or mpi opinions please!!

Go with the MPI for sure. You can start and back off the trailer with out a 5 minute warm up. More power, better fuel mileage and it turn the key and go just like todays cars.

A five minute warm up is not needed unless there are problems with your carb setup. 20 to 30 seconds (which you should also allow on an EFI motor) should be fine before backing off of the trailer. The better fuel mileage is marginal in a boat and the higher HP of the EFI engines is primarily a function of intake efficiency. Spend a few hundred extra on a 4bbl carb upgrade and you will match the power of the EFI (approximately 2000 upgrade).

OK, so it sounds as though I am anti-EFI, not so just offering a little extra food for thought. One other thing to consider is resale. EFI will have a higher resale price, in some cases it is almost the same as the original price difference (making it a free upgrade) and it will usually be easier to sell as people are begining to expect EFI.