Volvo Penta 5.0GI to 5.7 swap

[Galvez83]

Bought a 2000 Four Winns 238 Vista for a decent price knowing the engine was seized. The current engine is a VP 5.0gi PEFS. I want to upgrade to a 5.7 vortec but i have read in a couple of places stating that i will create an issue with the ecm and or injectors. Can you folks light the way and school me to the facts of this. Also if viable to swap from 5.0 to 5.7? Also attached is the engine numbers for info.

 

[alldodge]

Thanks for the S/N
Looking up the motor I'm unable to find the ECM numbver/type. Thinking its a MEFI-3 and if so it can be reprogrammed. Its an easy swap from 5.0 to 5.7

 

[Galvez83]

Thanks for the S/N
Looking up the motor I'm unable to find the ECM numbver/type. Thinking its a MEFI-3 and if so it can be reprogrammed. Its an easy swap from 5.0 to 5.7

Alldodge
The swap i can handle since i have done it before but on a plain carbed engine but i am concerned with the issues regarding the ECM. I will try and look of the ECM number. Also just searching my local used marine sellers i came across someone selling an ECM off a volvo penta 5.7. If i decide to look into buying it, anything i should look out for such as specific ECM numbers for the 5.7?

 

[alldodge]

The number off yours should match the other. Then there is the issue if it actually works. Make a call to OBD Diagnostics and ask what Bob can do. Could be the reprogramming will cost less

 

[Galvez83]

The number off yours should match the other. Then there is the issue if it actually works. Make a call to OBD Diagnostics and ask what Bob can do. Could be the reprogramming will cost less

Thanks will do, also here is a pic of my current ECM.

 

[Scott06]

Alldodge
The swap i can handle since i have done it before but on a plain carbed engine but i am concerned with the issues regarding the ECM. I will try and look of the ECM number. Also just searching my local used marine sellers i came across someone selling an ECM off a volvo penta 5.7. If i decide to look into buying it, anything i should look out for such as specific ECM numbers for the 5.7?

There are companies that reprogram them like https://obd2allinone.com/mefituning.asp

Boats Unlimited | Marine Technician Service | Inspections

Boats Unlimited offers a full service & repair department. We also offer a professional marine fuel injector cleaning service.

www.boatunlimited.com

I'm sure there are others might be worth looking around before you buy

 

[alldodge]

Thanks will do, also here is a pic of my current ECM.

Yes, its a MEFI 3. Looking at ODB Diagnostics your 3858887 would probably use 3858888 for the 5.7 but do check with Bob

I see he retunes for $400

 

[Galvez83]

Thanks alldodge and scott06. In regards to is it worth retuning to a 5.7 vs keeping it a 5.0 is it worth it? The reman block and the retuning for a little extra hp or keeping it stock with a 5.0?

 

[alldodge]

The 5.0 isn't muck better the a V6 and with a 23 footer I would want at least a 5.7
My 23.5 footer has a 7.4 with dry weight of 4800 lb

 

[Scott06]

Thanks alldodge and scott06. In regards to is it worth retuning to a 5.7 vs keeping it a 5.0 is it worth it? The reman block and the retuning for a little extra hp or keeping it stock with a 5.0?

Absolutely worth it, per AD's comments you may want to consider a 383.

I repowered a 21 ft Sea Ray six years ago, had a 4.3 that PO didn't winterize. The boat was also offered with a 5.0 from factory, so that's what I went back in with... I was thinking a 5.7 would be too much for the boat, I have yet to own a boat with too much power....

If you do the swap you likely will end up with 40 -50 more hp, you may have to step up in prop pitch.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you may want to consider a 383.

I would do this......

 

[Galvez83]

Thanks guys, i will look into prices and keep you posted. Right now i am aiming at the 5.7 vortec to keep things simple. Once i get a hold of the bob at the obd place and speak with him about what can be done with my ecm i can have a clearer picture.

 

[Scott Danforth]

ECM reprogramming is same no mater what the displacement is

If you are buying a new motor, the 6.2s are priced higher than the 5.7s because they can gwt it

If you build the motor, a 6.2 is about $150 more than a 5.7 and that is mostly the cost of clearancing the block. Rotating assemblies are within $50

 

[Scott06]

I would do this......

No you wouldn‘t you would do a big block… oh wait you already did…

 

[alldodge]

No you wouldn‘t you would do a big block… oh wait you already did…

 

[Scott06]

Thanks guys, i will look into prices and keep you posted. Right now i am aiming at the 5.7 vortec to keep things simple. Once i get a hold of the bob at the obd place and speak with him about what can be done with my ecm i can have a clearer picture.

Yeah i was hesitant to suggest it cause it can open a can of worms thread wise. In crate form i think a 383 is like $1600 more. If you want to build your own as Scott points outyou can put it together for similar price. Depends on what you want to do. I bought a partial engine (crate plus intake carb and ignition) came assembled, spent a few evenings swapping accessories over basically plug and play

 

[Scott Danforth]

No you wouldn‘t you would do a big block… oh wait you already did…

guilty...... but then again, in retrospect, a 383 or 406 would have been easier

 

[Galvez83]

Lol, short and long blocks here in sunny Miami are ridiculous. Plenty of engine builders out here but for some odd reason the same block that was worth $1700 last year is now worth $2200. It is what it is. Now i have to figure out asking around for a long block at a "decent" price plus build a wooden hoist to clear the deck of my four winns. Also is there anything that needs to be done to my current injectors or do they need to be upgraded?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Lol, short and long blocks here in sunny Miami are ridiculous. Plenty of engine builders out here but for some odd reason the same block that was worth $1700 last year is now worth $2200. It is what it is. Now i have to figure out asking around for a long block at a "decent" price plus build a wooden hoist to clear the deck of my four winns. Also is there anything that needs to be done to my current injectors or do they need to be upgraded?

dont buy in Miami. there are no local race tracks and local supporting shops. ship in from the midwest where most of the dirt track builders are. best pricing on new bare virgin blocks is from summit. you can also get blocks here. https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/category/SB134.html (what was $800 is now over $1100. the "383 block" is $2100. used to be a $100 premium for the 20 minutes of die grinder work on the pan rail

best pricing on SCAT rotating assemblies is Oshkosh WI https://www.competitionproducts.com/

 

[Scott06]

Also is there anything that needs to be done to my current injectors or do they need to be upgraded?

i got my base engine from Michigan motors six years ago. A new 5.7 base engine was about $3k or 3200 then. of course a new engine will be more than the rebuilds you mention.

on the injectors i dont think so as long as they are clean and work. You may want to cross check this with who ever does your ecu remappin, im basing my answer off mercruiser using the same fuel injector part number for both 5.0 and 5.7 mpi engines. If unknown origin maybe worth sending out for cleaning and flow test.