Drowned Rat - Carburated Hondas vs EFI

[otterbfishin]

Drowned Rat,<br />I'm curious as to why you prefer carburated Hondas vs the EFI Suzuki outboard. This is important to me as I have no experience with modern outboards, and am very near purchasing a 40 or 50 hp.<br />Are carburated engines more reliable, easier to work on, less to go wrong, etc. The Honda is about roughly 20lbs lighter than the Suzuki, and weight is important for my uses, but reliability rates higher. Any help is appreciated,<br />otterbfishin

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Drowned Rat - Carburated Hondas vs EFI

Anybody can work on a carb with regular tools. EFIs require training and special equipment that's rather expensive. That pretty much leaves EFI problems for Dealers.<br /><br />EFIs are generally slightly more efficient and seem to have a tad more reliability (believe it or not). EFIs automatically adjust to varying conditions where carbs need human intervention.<br /><br />Big Hondas are horizontal car motors that have been adapted to vertical marine use. All Suzukis are engineered for the water from the ground up. I don't have any data, but I would have to believe that most Hondas weigh more than most Suzukis. One more advantage for a Suzi is that a Johnnyrude dealer can work on them too. Hondas are brand exclusive.<br /><br />I guess it depends on your application. Otherwise, flip a coin. Both are good choices for different reasons.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Drowned Rat - Carburated Hondas vs EFI

You won't have to be "working" on either motor. That said, I am so happy with my fi John/Suzi that I wouldn't consider any carbed engine. I make sure it has clean fuel, normal maintenance, and it just starts and goes. No choke, no bad manners at all. Enjoy your new motor, whatever you get.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Drowned Rat - Carburated Hondas vs EFI

Nobody that has owned an EFI outboard would go back to carbs... Just try to get GM to put a Quadrajet on a 2005 Suburban...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Drowned Rat - Carburated Hondas vs EFI

Rabidfish, remember that the automakers were forced into computers, converters and fuel injection by emissions and fuel economy mandates just as the outboard builders are. Carbs are cheaper than EFI and every automaker would go back to them in a heartbeat if they legally could. Take a gander at Yamaha's web site and check performance reports. You will find that whether two-stroke or four-stroke, knock the last number off the horsepower rating on any engine and you will be very close to its fuel consumption/per hour at wide open throttle. Four strokes have an advantage in the mid and low RPM ranges, but at WOT there really isn't that much difference. Is it worth the extra bucks? You pays your money and makes your choice.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Drowned Rat - Carburated Hondas vs EFI

upinsmoke<br /> I beg to differ<br /> EFI is so much cheaper to manufacture its not funny. the mark up is outrageous.<br /> as faras no special tools needed to rebuilt 4 stroke carbs there is a lot needed on a multiple carb four stroke. the techmate manometer is just over 600 dollars.<br /> so far I can get by with my precision instruments one that set me back 240. but soon I will have to buy the techmate for the next generation v6 yamahas.<br /> but so far EFI has proven very reliable and its a very simple system. just requires some tools and some knowledge. but its actually easier to fix most EFI problems than carb problems.<br /> the big draw back to EFI is it can mask other failures and they go undetected until damage occurs.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Drowned Rat - Carburated Hondas vs EFI

Ditto... especially the last part about masked problems...