Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

[Black as]

Hi all, I have a 1988 Bayliner 2250 Capri with a 350 chev in it and a cobra drive and was thinking of up-grading the motor to a 5.7 litre next year. The current engine and drive are in good condition and run really well but would prefer the fuel injection.

Can any tell me would the 5.7 litre connect up to my drive and if there is something else that I should be aware of before starting this project. Or a MERCRUISER 454 Magnum MPI 7.4L Marine Engine (385hp)

No comments please about the year of this boat etc because its been totally refurbished over the past year and a half and is in top condition inside and out.

Thanking you in advance

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

350 cubic inches = 5.7 litres

a "350" and a "5.7" are the same engine, the latter is just the metric way of measuring displacement, the former is imperial measure

the fuel injection system just basically sits on top in place of a carburetor, but they're both 350/5.7 Chevrolet engines.

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Im aware of that but my engine is a 1988 350 chev with a carby and points distributor and I want fuel injection and electronic ignition, something current, I want to up-grade and ideas would be great .

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

well, the block hasn't changed in any way that would affect connecting to the outdrive. You'd just need to reuse your existing flywheel cover/rear mount on the new 5.7.

If you are buying something current, you'll be buying a Mercruiser or Volvo Penta configured engine, so there will be wiring connectivity issues, your tachometer and oil pressure gauges won't work - will need those. You'll likely need to wire some stuff from the ECM to the helm, like a fault lamp and warning horn. You'll need to remove your ESA module and use the ESA switch to operate as a shift interrupt like Merc's method.
You'll need a higher pitch prop to match the added HP. You'll need some exhaust hose to connect the center riser type exhaust to your Y pipe. Mostly minor stuff.

Best to ask where you'd be spending the $8000, like Michigan Motorz. They list setups for 1992-up OMC on their sire, but not pre 92 OMC, but I'm sure they have sold a repower for an 88 OMC before and can look at the bill of sale or have a list of needed parts there.

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Thanks for that, I was thinking everything may have to be OMC what about fiting a MERCRUISER 454 Magnum MPI 7.4L Marine Engine (385hp) would the drive handle it.

Im just trying to have all options open so I can have a plan.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

your drive is good to 300HP by most accounts. 260HP was the most OMC ever put in front of it.

I suppose power steering is another connectivity issue.... a current repower would have a serpentine belt system so you would have to get the p/s option with the serpentine type pump configured on there - whether it would plumb up to the existing p/s assist ram system, I don't know.

Aside from that, you may have some interesting issues with raw water cooling. You Cobra impeller is sized to deliver the correct flow for the OMC style thermostat and manifold restriction to water flow. Feeding that to a different cooling system could be an issue. Plus your impeller is only sized to cool 260HP. If it overheats, you'd want to be budgeted to maybe go to through hull pickup and engine mounted pump - or just make that step to begin with.

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Thats a point, I will have to check that side of it out, then again can you keep the v-belt set-up ?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

I don't think you want to stick a 1988 alternator, water pump and stuff on a 2012 engine, and not sure all the same tapped holes would be there for alternator brackets and such.

with that extra impeller pump and power steering, it's close to being a $10,000 5.7 now...
a carbed 383 would be faster, and easier for 75% less money. You can make your 350 into a 383 with a kit.
Not sure what your goal is....I have <$2000 into my boat and it will go faster than what you'll be dumping 10 large into. Yours will start with the snap of the key switch though... I have to pump the throttle. For $8000, I can pump the throttle.

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Im all in for ideas and appreciate your thoughts, money isnt a problem but like to spend wisely.

I just want to get rid of all the omc gear on the motor and go Mercruiser or Volvo Penta if that makes sense.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

what OMC gear?... the carburetor is Rochester (same one Merc and Volvo use), the alternator is Delco (same one Merc and Volvo use), the starter?/water pump? all the same on various manufacturers.

leaves you with exhaust manifolds and distributor.

You can rebuild your 350 into a 383 torque monster, switch to some nice center riser manifolds, and put a nice new electronic Delco Voyager ignition in. All traces of OMC parts on the engine will be gone (except the thermostat housing, and you can swap that to something else if you want).
Search up some of the dozens of 383 threads here at iboats. 383 is the perfect prime mover for a fast/fun 23 footer.

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Thanks heaps for that Howard Stendrive I will do some reading tonight.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Personally, I would stick with what you have if it runs well. I have a carbed engine in my boat in my signature and wouldn't trade it for the fuel injection version. I get plenty of power and the boat always starts easily.

I had your exact same boat(Bayliner 2150) but an 87. Mine had a 5.0L and had plenty of power most of the time except for high altitudes. I would have been in heaven with what you have in your boat right now.

A 7.4L engine would not have even fit in my engine compartment. The 7.4L is longer.

I believe your boat is a 2150 as well right? Not a 2250. The centerline length on these is 20' 6".

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

I'm not sure of the goal, or it hasn't been defined. The original "would prefer the fuel injection" usually means easier starting/ better cruising fuel economy/ more speed?
The first two will only be addressed by injection, but the intake manifold and FI system could probably be attained by buying a used Merc injected engine (freeze cracked even) and swapping the manifold/injection system over. Heads maybe for a more sophisticated system.
later seemed to evolve to "just want to get rid of the OMC gear", but 95% of the OMC gear is behind the engine, and will remain with any engine swap.
Actually, if going to a injection system swap, the best find might be a mid-90's OMC 5.7 fuel injected motor. but that contradicts the 2 streams of wanting FI, and wanting rid of stuff that says OMC

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

you could always bolt on a holley marine Pro-Jection and a mallory marine distributor. the pro-jection can be found on ebay for a few hundred, and summit has the distributors for a reasonable cost. your into TBI fuel injection and electronic ignition for about $600

http://www.holley.com/types/Marine Pro-Jection 2-Bbl Throttle Body System.asp

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

the pro-jection can be found on ebay for a few hundred,

I don't see it on eBay for under $1000.
I have read several reviews online - I can't find anything positive about that system. A few stories of tinkering with it for months, then ripping it off and throwing it away. not one person claiming success with it I can find.

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

If money "isn't a problem",

Find yourself a 2000 or later Mercruiser 5.7L MPI engine and drive and dump the OMC junk altogether.

When I pulled all my OMG 460 "stuff" in 2005, I found a 2003 300 (propshaft) HP 5.7 MPI closed cooled engine, gimbal mount and Bravo I drive (400hrs since new) that the owner was pulling to replace with a pair of 200hp outboards :facepalm:,

He wanted $7500 and turned down my $6000 offer. I was upping it to $6500 when I found the complete '97 454/Bravo III for $5000 in a insurance-totaled (wind damaged) 24ft Bayliner.

Ultimately your best bet is to find a complete package instead of trying to cobble together a newer engine to that obsolete Cobra.


Regards,


Rick

Oh, and I also sold all of my 460 King Kobra piece by piece for about $3500 when it was "said & done"

O.K. if I source a complete package, will any drive bolt up to my transom or do I have to fill it in and recut a new hole.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

O.K. if I source a complete package, will any drive bolt up to my transom or do I have to fill it in and recut a new hole.

A Mercruiser or Volvo SX would fit the same hole. I still wouldn't do it if your drive and engine are working fine.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

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[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

So what I planned in the beginning didn?t eventuate so I purchased a brand new 5.7 litre vortec engine along with that I had to also buy the following, a new cast iron marine inlet manifold to take the 4 barrel a new flywheel and a EST distributor from Michigan Motorz . At the same time and thought it was best to do it now was a replace the universals in the drive and also gimbal bearing. Once that's all done the guys at Michigan Motorz will help me out with a heat exchanger and need to send them photo's of the engine fitted so that they can establish in what's required.

After doing all my research and working out what my cost's would be this was the mostcost effective way to go.

Thank you guys for all your ideas I do appreciate it.