Outboard old Johnson 120 looper vs. new Suzuki DT140

[Flukinicehole]

I currently have a 1992 Johnson 120 V4 looper. The thing runs great and I have no complaints there. My issue is with fuel consumption and the size of my tank. I only have a 24 gallon tank in the boat with a 12 gallon auxiliary tank. I have been thinking about getting a new 4 stroke 140 Suzuki. Does anyone here have one and can they give me some real numbers? I know the general older motors burn about 1 gallon for every 10HP per hour at 4000 rpm. I think where the new motors really shine is in the lower say trolling rpm. Is this right? I also will be installing a bigger tank as I hope to fit a 30 gallon in her as long as I don't have to do too much stringer/bulkhead relocating. Just feeling around for a winter project. Thanks in advance.

 

[82rude]

At wot id not be too surprised if your fuel consumption would be pretty similar.Where the dt 140 will shine is low rpm and trolling.The dt has a very good hp to weight ratio too.It will be much quitter,more reliable (peace of mind).If your buying or thinking of buying strictly on fuel consumption I would say don't but if any of the other points apply certainly do.I went from a 1982 Evinrude 90hp that was tuned to perfection and was a solid motor to a 60hp 2011 Evinrude etec.No regrets .It was also a last motor till I die purchase ,lol.

 

[Sea Rider]

If both engines are propped right to rev to max wot rpm range factory stated as usually loaded, the 4 trokes running on flat calm water cond should consume at least 20% less fuel than the similar HP 2 strokes guzzler version. Engine manufacturers states that 4 strokes consumes 25-30% less fuel compared to their similar HP 2 strokes versions. Would that be true in real boating world ?

Happy Boating

 

[82rude]

Suzuki outboards has lots of boat test reports you can go through for their motors.http://www.suzukimarine.com/Product%...12/DF140A.aspx click on boat tests and then scroll down to look for what you want to check out.

 

[Flukinicehole]

82rude that is a great link. I did not even think about checking their site for boat tests. I have visited it many times and never paid attention. From what I'm seeing it would be a good investment to get a newer 4 stroke. Don't get me wrong my current engine runs great but like you mentioned for peace of mind (especially with the family on board) it will weigh on my decision. I was looking for a used one but found out real quick there are none. Everyone seems to use them till they are used up. Thank you both for the insight. Tight lines.

 

[flyingscott]

Here is the comparison i can give you. My friend runs a 70 hp suzuki on his 96 crestliner16' , I run a 1986 70 hp.evinrude on a SS160. His motor idles better and is far nicer to troll with. The SS 160 trolls at about 3 mph the crestliner at 2 with better idle quality. His fuel mileage is about 15% better than mine. But here is where things get nteresting the ss160 runs at Gps 38.5 mph the sylvan does 32 mph Gps. So the 2 strk is 20% faster with 15% less fuel mileage and no oil changes.

 

[Flukinicehole]

Without a doubt 2 strokes giddy up. Just like the 2 stroke bikes have the powrband so do the outboards. I'm more concerned with fuel consumption, cleaner burning and reliability. The 4 stroke weighs about 28lbs more then my current 2 stroke but I'm really not concerned with mph. I will keep an eye out this winter for a used motor and if one does not come up I will probably bite the bullet on a new one. The warden would prefer I find a used one.

 

[82rude]

flyingscott im curious ,I have a 160ss with a 2011 60hp etec.max speed is 34 mph gps with a 17p prop .Add 40 gallons of gas,food ,fishing gear,60 lb dog ,2 women and 2 men and it will still get on plane and still hit 33 .Would the 70 do the same?Almost forgot beer and 5 gallons or more of water.I use the same prop as a 90 to 140hp Evinrude does.

 

[flyingscott]

My ss160 had a 15 hp kicker,3 series 27 batteries with the 2 deep cycles in the bow. One 90# dog and 4 grown men and all their gear still hit 36/37 mph gps. My prop was a stainless 17" pitch ran right to 6000 rpm.. And the trolling motor hanging off of the front. Not to mention the 20 gallon livewell being full. At 38.5 I was overevving by 200 rpm. So to answer your question yes the 3 cylinder 70 hp is a more powerful motor than the E-tec 60. Maybe thats why Evinrude now offers the 60 ho. The only time I saw 30-32 mph was pulling tubes.

 

[82rude]

Was wondering about the gearing in the 70 which you have answered.Never doubted the power as they were great motors and if slower than a 60 id be wondering whats wrong.Thanks.I had the motor before the boat and on its former boat would crack low 40,s .I also have a 6 hp Johnson kicker circa 74.Baring any disasters I will have that motor till I die in hopefully no sooner than say 25 years from now,lol.Id like to dyno a healthy 70 looper and actually see what the real hp is 75?I know my 68 55 looper was stronger than other motors of the same hp range .Don't think the op could go wrong with a 140 suzzy but maybe a 130ho etec would be a nice option also.

 

[flyingscott]

Gear ratio an a 70 looper is 12:29