Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

[forcepark1337]

Hey everyone, first time poster here. I currently own a 2003 Boston Whaler 150 Sport with a Merc 60 3 cyl carbed 2 stroke. This engine has been a pain for the most part. As of lately it has been running fine after replacing carb gaskets. Now that it's approaching winter time in the northeast, I have been spending my time considering repower instead of time on the water . I want to stay two stroke, but want to go EFI so I'm looking into E-tecs. My problem is that the 60 E-tec is a 2 cylinder, versus the 3 cylinder this Merc is. While I've heard great things about the torque of the E-tec, losing a whole cylinder is most likely going to cause a loss of performance, if my judgements are correct. I figured that no matter whether the engine is carbed or injected, the performance is going to be the same, thus losing a cylinder would actually decrease performance. I hope I'm wrong . If any of you experts out there would like to chime in, please do so. Thanks for your time, and hope to be discussing more on these forums.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

As far as i know HP is HP.
It doesnt know who many cylinders as making it.
With fuel inj you get better performance out of the motor.
Torque is what you really want, that is what gets you going.
Its all measured at the prop (i think). So its really apples to apples.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

Losing a cylinder on any engine is going to affect performance. Losing one on a 3 cylinder loses 33% of power. Losing one on a two cylinder loses 50%. No big deal since you are likely off plane in that situation with either engine.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

I don't think you'll notice a thing. My test rides in E-tec equipped boats were quite snappy.

 

[ziemann]

Re: Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

Agreed- at the prop- HP is HP.

You may notice a slight decrease in torque, but not likely that noticable. As always, the key is proper rigging and propping.

Everyone that I know that has one of the 2 cylinder E-tec's absolutely loves them. There's a fair number of them around where I live.

People report a slight increase in vibration at idle at very slow idle. Your dealer can program your idle speed if you want to keep the idle RPM above a point where you will notice any significant vibration.

I have more experience with the 3 cylinder units- my E-tec 90 idles at 540 RPM's and is as smooth as butter.... but, i wouldn't hesitate to buy one of the 2 cylinder models if I was in that market...

 

[jorourke]

Re: Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

hi, i have the same boat and motor- I am have problems losing power only when running opened up. It runs fine at 4000 rpm but when I get above 4500 rpms it dogs and loses power. did you ever have this problem. thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

Base on my experience with older carbed outboards, I would say you are probably correct:

On the same hull, a 3 cylinder 90 did 45 MPH while a 4 cylinder 90 also did 45 MPH top speed. Both these engines were the same brand and both used the same diameter and pitch prop to run at the same WOT RPM. However, the 4 cylinder engine did accelerate onto plane much faster. So, while horsepower is horsepower, the way it is delivered into the water does make a difference.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Repower questions from Mercury 60 to Etec 60

i still love my 44 cubic inch motor 4 banger. but she is such a pain the rear