New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

[Glevans1]

Looking at a late 90's Parker 2520 that has been repowered with a new 5.0 MPI. It has a Bravo III leg. In my limited experience with this boat/engine combo, it would seem to be somewhat underpowered (which might explain the attractive price).

The boat probably weighs somewhere around 8000 lbs when fully loaded. I'm not looking to set any speed records. I just want to be able to cruise at around 25-30 mph and have a top end of 35-40 without putting too much strain on the engine.

Any input or suggestions would be much appreciated. If the consensus is that this combo could work, I would like to move quickly on the sale.

Thanks.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

8000 pounds would need more like twin 454's to make it go the speeds that you are talking about. A 5.0 is probably at the root of the attractive price.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

it would seem to be somewhat underpowered (which might explain the attractive price).

Ayuh,... I think yer Right...

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

If it's a really attractive price, and you're less than thrilled with the performance after getting it out on the water, you could always re-power with a 350 or stroker. Should be able to swap everything from the 5.0L long block. May need to either get a new ECM or see if the current ECM can be re-flashed to work with the larger displacement (this is Bond-O or Don's area of expertise). Then sell the 5.0L long block as a ready to run drop in replacement to re-coupe some of the costs.

Just my 2?...

 

[Don S]

Re: New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

With a 5.0L, that boat is going to be going 25-28mph at WOT. That is just too much boat for that little engine.
To get a rough idea what different engines will give you, go to the link below, punch in 25 ft and 8000 lbs and gas engines. then play with the top speed range and look at the outcome.
http://www.volvopenta.com/VOLVOPENT...E_CONFIGURATOR/Pages/engine_configurator.aspx
The Bravo III drive is somewhere between the single and dual prop drives shown, the Volvo drives are designed different, so keep that in mind.
This actually works amazingly accurately. Have used it on several repowers

 

[Glevans1]

Re: New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

Thank you all for the advice so far.

Don - I couldn't get the engine calculator to work for me - will try it again later. Filled in all the blanks but it said it couldn't find an engine match.

Too bad this boat was re-powered with this 5.0. I would still consider purchasing if I can work some kind of engine swap that makes sense. The Merc 5.0 is brand new so I should be able to flog it somewhere. Any ideas out there about which block will fit in here with the least problems and still have enough power?

 

[Don S]

Re: New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

Don - I couldn't get the engine calculator to work for me - will try it again later. Filled in all the blanks but it said it couldn't find an engine match.

Keep your boat size the same, just change the speed you want the boat to go. In step 3, make sure you have a check mark in the EVC box. Then you will get some answers, the EVC part is meaningless for this exercise, and without it being checked you get nothing.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: New Mercruiser 5.0 MPI - Enough power for Parker 2520?

Simple enough add 7000 for a new engine or....be content with a 15-20 mph wot speed and enjoy the secenery