merc vs evinrude

[baklash]

Hi all! I'm trying to decide between a new Merc 200 optimax or a new Evinrude 200 e-tec. any suggestions? Also, anyone know where to get comparative facts about the two ie: efficiency,consumer reports...? Thank you!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Welcome!!<br /><br />Dont compare the Opti to the E Tec. The Opti compares to the Evinrude DI motors.

 

[baklash]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Admiral, hi! meaning what, the e-tec is superior?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Yep. The Opti and the DI's are like comparing apples to apples. The Opti to E Tec is apples to oranges.

 

[JB]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Yup. What DHadley said.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: merc vs evinrude

thd DI evinrudes are no longer in production, acoording to my local dealer.<br /><br />the OPTI is a peice of junk, according to various people, techs included, on this board.<br /><br />the E-TEC is new and completely different than the opti!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: merc vs evinrude

thd DI evinrudes are no longer in production, acoording to my local dealer.<br />

Whats he been dealing in? (couldnt resist )<br /><br />2005 DI motors are from 115 to 250. They use the letter F after the hp in the model number.<br /><br />2005 E Tec motors are from 40 to 250. They use the letter D after the hp in the model number.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: merc vs evinrude

what i MEANT to say is "SKIP the optimax "<br />and GET THE E-TEC

 

[Dhadley]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Well dont sugar coat it -- say what you mean!!

 

[baklash]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Thanks very much for the help! I'll look further into the e-tec. I've got an opti 135 right now and not had probs. I'm looking at a new boat and just trying to decide between motors.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc vs evinrude

A simple question: The difference between the FICHT motors and the Optimax motors was the method fuel was injected into the combustion chamber. The FICHT motor used a high pressure fuel pump and directly injected the fuel into the combustion chamber. The Optimax used a low pressure fuel pump and injected fuel into an intermediate chamber. This chamber was then pressurized to high air pressure and injected into the combustion chamber.<br /><br />The literature on the E-tec shows that high-pressure fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber. So what makes the decisive difference between the FICHT and E-Tec

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: merc vs evinrude

I think the Etec is an improved Ficht...what else could it be?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: merc vs evinrude

The Etec uses a different and more responsive and more reliable injector design combined with improved computer mapping.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: merc vs evinrude

One significant difference is that E-tec uses a voice-coil type fuel injector that can cycle much faster and more precisely than conventional injectors.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Theres lots of different stuff. Right down to the piston material. Even the alternator is much different. 133 amp, computer controlled vs 60 amp.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc vs evinrude

As a followup question, When the FICHTs and Optimaxs were first introduced, the Optimax was thought to be a superior design, because a high pressure fuel pump was not necessary. It was thought that the fuel pump in the FICHT was the "weak link", from a reliability, operational and safety perspective. Is the E-tec pump such an improvement over the FICHT, or did the FICHT suffer from some other problems?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: merc vs evinrude

Its the other way around. Merc and OMC both bought several levels of the Orbital technology. OMC scrapped it for Ficht. They didnt want to use the extra pump on the motor. Merc stayed with it and Opti uses a seperate pump on the engine. The fuel pressure in the lines on Ficht is relatively low. The pressure is created in the injector itselt on Ficht. The fuel pressure in the lines on an Opti is fairly high.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: merc vs evinrude

According to what I've read, Upinsmoke is right. The fuel injectors on an e-tec have the (heavy) magnet stationary, while the injector piston has the electro-magnet coil. This has the dual advantage of less moving mass per cycle and the ability to control the fuel injector piston with computer controlled eletric current, during injection and moving the (injector) piston into place for another cycle. In theory this beats the old mechanical spring return system to death. I hope it works, I bought one.

 

[rwcreigh1]

Re: merc vs evinrude

i heard the e-tec is the best you can buy

 

[walleyehed]

Re: merc vs evinrude

richard, some will say other-wise, but 'Rude is about to turn the outboard world over on it's head.....Keep your eyes open. Merc didn't see this one coming...