Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

[Glenmac]

I have a yamaha 115 4S and was thinking of repowering some day with an E-Tec. For those of you who have experience, I would like your opinions of the engines. Are there any reported E-Tec problems that I should know about. I know the Yamaha has more functional parts but have been told also, by local dealers, that they would stick with the Yamaha because it is a good engine.
Just curious if, in your opinions, that there is a real perfomance difference.

Thanks,
Glen

 

[steelespike]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

Here we go again.
First go on the net and look around. Anything said by any sales person ASK WHY,say SHOW ME the facts,What are service intervals,what is required at the service intervals and HOW MUCH $?SHOW ME the figures.
Both motors are good motors. The Yam is 402 lbs 106 cubes the Etec is 375 and can be as little as 369 and 105 cubes. Mechanically the 4 stroke is a very complicated power head.More frequent,more expensive service intervals,They are said to be smoother and quieter than a 2 stroke. I think you would need a decible meter to tell.
I've seen one Etec horror story here and it may have been more a dealer problem than engine.Other posts were minor Cold weather operation problems that had all ready been solved by BRP with proper oil selection and programing.The etec burns cleaner than a 4 stroke. Incidently the 115 is available in a tiller version.
In my opinion the Etec is the pick.If I was buying it would be Etec.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

Etec performance edges out Yamaha reliability.

 

[troypolla]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

Have the 115 4S. I like it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

If the Yamaha dealer did not also sell Evinrude, what would you expect him to say? If he did also sell Evinrude, chances are the boats he sells the most of are pre-rigged with Yamahas. In the end, only you can decide which combination of features mean the most to you. There are scads of posts about their four strokes "making oil". Timing belts, oil changes, valve adjustments, etc. are not exactly trivial expenses. You have none of that with an E-tech. By the way -- I run a Merc. d But E-tech will be my next motor.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

I would run your Yammy into the ground, THEN look to repower. Who knows what will be out in the next five years. E-tech is about as far a 2 strokes can really advance(could add forced induction maybe). 4 strokes still have quite a bit of breathing room for improvement (Direct injection 4 stroke IMO is the next big thing, GREATLY decreasing emissions and adding power) but know one is going to do that until the California Smog Nazis demand even cleaner engines than whats out now. For the Time being E-tech is about the best engine going though.

 

[JB]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

If I had a Yammy 4 stroke 115 I would have to have bux overflowing my pockets to consider repowering with anything.

If I were choosing a new engine and the Yammy F115 and the E-tec 115 were the choices it would be very close, and decided by price and dealer credibility.

 

[Glenmac]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

Thank you everyone for your answers. I have read much of the online and magazine articles on both and understand that each dealer will try to sell his or her engine but I have very little experience with some of the technical aspects of the engines and appreciate those of you who do.

Thanks again,
Glen

 

[marinemech1]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

e-tec

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

yamaha ....

 

[duff]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

also consider the customer service of the different dealers that will be servicing you motor. if you have multiple options than it might not be a issue i know in the smaller towns where i live you might not have the option with out a 2 hr drive just to get warrenty service.

just a thought.......

 

[dctucker]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

Very difficult to go wrong with either motor. Both are good. For me, the decision was E-TEC, primarily due to the weight advantage of the 2-stroke. I ran it for 10 straight days and it was flawless out of the box.

I also would prefer top off an oil reservoir rather than change and have to dispose of used oil. I like the more simple & elegant engineering solution (IMO) of the 2-stroke... Personal preferences... YMMV

 

[Chunder06]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

I have the 115hp E-Tec and its MAGIC...the 115 E-Tec is so good BRP arn't releasing the 130hp because they can't make it out perform the 115....word has it that the 115 E-Tec is producing 125hp....do your homework mate...you'll not regret it.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

like I said, right now, E-tec. 5 years down the road? who knows. Though I'm still a bit leary on the E-tec since BRP is still having issues with the same DFI technology on there snowmobiles (lots of burned down engines). Very few issues with the outboards though, besides a few software issues (friend of mine has a E-tec 50 and still has minor hesitation problems in the midrange)

 

[whofan]

Re: Yamaha 115, 4S vs 115 E-Tec

If I had none I`d buy the Etec. If I had a good Yamaha I wouldn`t even be thinking about repowering.
If Yamaha is as good as they say, you will be replacing your boat by the time you need a new motor.
Your boat is pre rigged for the Yammy so I think to repower you`d be better off with yamaha.
Like I said if starting from scratch I would go ETEC.