Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

[ddttm]

I recently found out the 2000 Sea Ray 180 with a 3.0 Mercruiser I bought this spring has a cracked block. I enjoyed it for about 20 hours before it made its self evident with valves tapping and lower ends knocking.

In my eyes my choices are sell it as is, replace the engine with a 3.0 long block I can get for $2,100, or get crazy and throw a larger motor in it. My question is what do you think is best, see the pole below and feel free to leave a comment about your vote, speech is free for the time being. The lowest risk is sell as is, but I really liked this boat as it is my first motor boat, next is repower with replacement 3.0 which wouldn't take long, I have a shop and plenty of tools and mechanical knowledge, this would also get me on the water the soonest, and last would be to up the power with probably a 4.3, this has a bunch of unknowns and I guess that is why I am writing this post.

Has anyone seen a post or repowered their boat in real life from a 3.0 to a 4.3? The 4.3 long block is cheaper! Although I would have to buy all of the manifolds, intake, and the like to get the engine complete. I would appreciate the input, positive, constructive, negative, and anything in-between.

Thanks,

DDTTM

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

A LOT of work to repower with a v-6. Since you liked the boat with the 3 liter, buy another 3 liter and replace what you have and go boating.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

The 4.3 long block is cheaper! Although I would have to buy all of the manifolds, intake, and the like to get the engine complete. I would appreciate the input, positive, constructive, negative, and anything inbetween.

If the long run it would be more expensive BECAUSE you'd have to replace manifolds risers, add a Y-pipe, change the out drive add engine mounts and probably get a different prop.

The increase in performance would be significant. but you can most likely get a boat already equipped with the engine and drive you want for less money.

If you were happy with the boat as is, replacing your engine will get you on the water much quicker.


Regards,


Rick

 

[jkust]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

If you want to get back on the water and you were satisfied with the level of performance of a 3.0, go with the 3.0. Also, the carbed 4.3 will likely need a 1.81:1 outdrive ratio and so what does your 3.0 have stamped on the drive? You would also have to move the motor mounts among other items. I'll say that that particular Sea Ray is worthy of a repower.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

my vote is for a 4.3, then again, I'm a sadist when it comes to projects.

if you want to go boating quickly, buy another 3.0. there are even some rebuilders that have longblocks in the $1500 range

 

[Struc]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

I'm a huge fan of the 4.3l engine, and not a big fan of the 3.0l, but in all honesty, unless you want a huge project on your hands, I'd say replace what was in there.

The annoyance of having to find every single 4.3l MARINE part (unless you can find a complete marine 4.3 to buy).
Exhaust Y-Pipe
Outdrive is a different gear ratio
Motor mounts in the boat (not actually sure what the 3.0l looks like, but pretty sure it would be different than the 4.3l)

I happen to have most of the parts from my donor boat, so I have thought about this swap on a bunch of different platforms, but would not consider it otherwise.

EDIT: P.S. I wouldn't sell it AS-IS since you said you have the tools and mechanical skills. That is, unless you want to sell it to me for cheap.

 

[ddttm]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

Thanks everybody, I am going to throw another 3.0 in it. The weather is too good not to be on the water next weekend. The boat will be for sale this fall. I got a really good deal on the boat to begin with so even after the engine swap I still probably should be able to sell it advertised with a new engine and break even on the whole deal. I hope to buy an older boat that is larger and faster to run on Lake Erie for next summer.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

Thanks everybody, I am going to throw another 3.0 in it. The weather is too good not to be on the water next weekend. The boat will be for sale this fall. I got a really good deal on the boat to begin with so even after the engine swap I still probably should be able to sell it advertised with a new engine and break even on the whole deal. I hope to buy an older boat that is larger and faster to run on Lake Erie for next summer.

Replace the engine, enjoy the boat, take video, pictures etc AND CAREFULLY winterize this FALL.......... store it until next Spring.

You will get a lot more money for it in Spring!

 

[ddttm]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

my vote is for a 4.3, then again, I'm a sadist when it comes to projects.

if you want to go boating quickly, buy another 3.0. there are even some rebuilders that have longblocks in the $1500 range

You have any website where they are going for $1500? Lowest I could find is $2,050 from marineenginedepot.com.

$500 is 25% of the cost, sure would like to save that and put it in to my new stereo and covers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

You have any website where they are going for $1500? Lowest I could find is $2,050 from marineenginedepot.com.

$500 is 25% of the cost, sure would like to save that and put it in to my new stereo and covers.

http://chicagoengines.com/marine/engines/
$1395 with 800 core

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Repower 3.0 to 4.3 in 2000 Sea Ray 180

http://marineenginedepot.com/20046/0/Marine-Power-881301-New-3.0L-GM-Marine-Long-Block/

new for $2025