The 2.5 liter was rated in the 110 / 115 / 120hp range
The 3.0 was rated in the 130 / 135 / 140 range and 160hp with fuel injection.
The 3.0 longblock is all the same parts (block, head, crank, pistons, cam), the change was the induction (carb or efi) and SAE rating method.
The induction was added by mercruiser or volvo or OMC.
No and it's not really going to help you with power at all.Curious - is it at all simple/affordable to add fuel injection or EFI to a 3.0?
Curious - is it at all simple/affordable to add fuel injection or EFI to a 3.0?
In this market, the 3.0 is actually the most common marine engine - most boats for sale have the 3.0 motor.
Or in other words...if you like going slow, the 3.0 is fine!I said "unless you never or rarely run outside of no-wake zones, you will tire of it very soon and will wish you had at least a 4.3."
If you were regularly wanting to run at higher speeds, the 3 liter will leave you wanting more. If you were only to boat where it was no-wake zones, then a 3 liter is more than enough
I said "unless you never or rarely run outside of no-wake zones, you will tire of it very soon and will wish you had at least a 4.3."
If you were regularly wanting to run at higher speeds, the 3 liter will leave you wanting more. If you were only to boat where it was no-wake zones, then a 3 liter is more than enough
Brief history of 4.3 (going from memory so I may be off on one or two of the changes) Introduced in 1985 model year as flat tappet, 2-piece rear main seal replacement to 229 (3.8)
1986 - received 2-piece rear main seal
1987 - received center bolt valve covers and roller cams
1992 - received balance shaft (and different harmonic damper)
1996 - received vortec heads
1999 - crank pilot changed
2000 - non-adjustable rockers, plastic timing cover
Back on the topic of the 4.3 being more capable than the 3.0, I was looking at a 1992 Larson Lazer 180BR 4.3XLT, and when I did a bit of research I found that the power rating for that Merc. V6 ranged from 155hp to 185hp! That reminded me of your post regarding the changes...and I realized that not every 4.3 is created equal - and some are not much better than the 3.0, especially considering the extra weight of a V6 with only a 20hp gain in the worst of cases (155hp over 135hp). Realizing that's not the norm, it is something to watch out for and be certain as to which V6 version a boat has...correct?