1996 130 hp looper vs cross flows, opinions?

kjdunne

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
370
I've had 90 & 115 hp cross flows for years and think they are great dependable motors. I'm looking at a boat with a 1996 130 hp looper. How do the loopers compare to the crossflows? Is the 130 a big bore block? Large increase in fuel consumption? I'll be using it for fishing mainly, mid-range cruising to and from fishing, not much WOT running or skiing, etc. It's on a 20 ft. Sunbird Neptune 202 walk around cuddy rated for 150 hp max, so I think a good match for the boat. Thanks for your input.
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Both types of engines are 90 degree blocks. The crossflows sported nearly 100 cubic inches, while the looper has 110. The big difference is in the weight. The crossflows weigh in at just over 300 lbs. The looper tips the scale at 370. I'd think any performance gain from the newer looper would be off set by it's nearly 20% increase in weight. The looper does have a strong reliability history. Here is another fact: the 150/175/200 crossflow V6 engines weigh in at 386 lbs. If you were to put a crossflow V6 on the boat, you could probably run it at 2/3 throttle and make the same speed as the looper at full throttle. (that relates to your fuel economy question..) You should get some good comments on this from others.
 

rothfm

Ensign
Joined
Sep 26, 2006
Messages
913
I have the same boat, the 202..if you get this let us know how you make out and what you think of the combination. I run 2 different 115's. One is out of comish(1993). Running is a rebuilt '84 head on newer lower. I believe i'm underpowered.

I just got a couple older 150's. Like Emdsamgr said, my hopes are to be able to throttle back some with the v-6 with reduced RPM's while still maintaining my cruise speed. My existing HP is working at 4-5k to keep a modes cruise speed.

post results.
 

kjdunne

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
370
emdsapmgr - thanks for the reply, interesting info. This is a package deal, so I'll be sticking with the looper. rothfm - the 130 ran the boat to 40 mph @ 5800 rpm WOT, 27 - 28 mph @ 4500 rpm. Speedo is a pitot tube type, not gps verified. The prop is an alum 14 3/4 X 17 pitch 3 blade. The boat was lightly loaded, 2 men, 25 gals. +/- gas, safety gear. Pretty flat water. I think the 130 is a good match for the boat the way I'll use it. A 150 would be fine also, 115 the absolute minimum I would think. BTW the model is E130TXAD. Any other input is welcome. And yes, I bought it.
 
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