Efi vs carbs

[POINTER94]

On a 1997 or so vintage mercruiser what value or weight would you assign to one or the other. I am in the process of purchasing a new to me boat and I want to know how much extra ( if any ) I should pay for the EFI and what those advantages would be. I am trying to stay with a 5.7 and stay away from the big blocks...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Efi vs carbs

say you reverse the batt cables, or a battery goes bad, or a alt runs wild and you wipe the ECM or ECU. $300--$1800 dollars to replace
2 fuel pumps, lift and hi presure, injectors at over$100.00 apiece if you manage to ingest salt water in the gas tank and get some into the injectors. having to use a scan tool to find out what is wrong with the engine.chasing corroded wiring in the harness and all those extra plug in`s
i prefer things i can fix with normal everyday tools and manuals,not computers.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Efi vs carbs

Carb motor is easier to fix. It has a little higher maintenance costs because you change the ignition stuff more often. Injection motor will have more power,use less fuel, cost more to buy and cost more to fix-if it breaks. I don't know how often you do the plugs.
The fuel injection motor will last longer because it always has the right fuel air ratio. Because of this the combustion chambers won't be washed down by too much fuel as can happen with a carb motor on a cold start or a no start condition.
A fuel injection motor will start & run well when cold, you can pull out without concern for the choke causing less than perfect cold running.
I really like my carb 5.7, but I also like my fuel injection cars & truck. The boat is actually fun to care for, but that's me. Some people would rather be out on the water. I could be doing some work on the boat or riding around, or going for a swim off the back. I like it all.
I think it would take a lot of use to pay for the difference between the systems, you'd buy the FI as a choice. It costs more & runs better. It has to be worth it to you.
Costs, you pay what the boat is worth to you.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Efi vs carbs

say you reverse the batt cables, or a battery goes bad, or a alt runs wild and you wipe the ECM or ECU. $300--$1800 dollars to replace
2 fuel pumps, lift and hi presure, injectors at over$100.00 apiece if you manage to ingest salt water in the gas tank and get some into the injectors...

Bad battery doesn't wipe out an ECU. In 1997, there weren't two fuel pumps on every fuel injected motor. Nor were there more than 2 injectors.

My 1997 Mercruiser 5.7LX EFI Gen + was GM TBI. Two simple injectors, one fuel pump (Cool fuel system), and TROUBLE FREE for 10 years and 800+ hours. It also started EVERY time out, never had to be cleaned or adjusted.

While I wouldn't pay a HUGE difference for EFI, it's superior to a carb, for as long as the day is light, and the night is dark.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Efi vs carbs

I have a '97 Mercruiser 5.7 carbed. It's been a good engine and has always run well. However, sometimes, especially when cold it's a pain to start. Sometimes on the water trying to start it will get flooded or something. It's no big deal to me. I can always get it started.
My wife, on the other hand, is extremely frustrated when it won't start. She just can't seem to get the hang of when you pump the throttle, when you don't, when it's flooded, etc. My next boat will be EFI to ease this problem for her. My concern is that about the time she dumps me off the tube and is 100 yards away it will die for some reason and she won't be able to get it started to come get me.
It doesn't die and this has never happened but as they say, there's a first time for everything.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Efi vs carbs

I'd never buy a boat new unless I was filthy rich but I would just a used Inboard EFI ski boat for a decent price. EFI is really nice....it's harder to work on but different in my opinion. I like the fact that nothing ever needs to adjusted except a v-belt for some engines. Maintenance is the key and it can cost big bucks for any engine.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Efi vs carbs

My brother has a "Ski-somthing" ski boat with a 2000 model Mercruiser inboard EFI engine. all he does is put fuel in it and change the filter once every couple of years. It always starts and runs perfect (like a car)

I don't think he's ever put plugs, wiring, or even a dist cap or rotor in it (maybe it doesn't even have a dist cap and rotor!!!)

If I could replace my carbed 454 with an MPI model I would do it in a "heart-beat"!

ymmv


Rick

 

[Mousejockey]

Re: Efi vs carbs

To add to the equation, how would TBI fall into the mix? I have not looked but I assume there is a kit for adding to older models to combat the carb issues?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Efi vs carbs

On a 1997 or so vintage mercruiser... the EFI and what those advantages would be...

And just to point out, again, in that vintage, with THAT name, "EFI", we are talking about GM TBI. Not MPI. TBI is very simple, and hard to screw up. It also works great.