Ayuh,.... It ain't that tough to do,.....
Yes in your size boat if you keep it I would do a 5.7 if it fits in the engine compartment/ doghouse. My boat is similar size, I did a 5.0 because that’s the largest sea ray out in the boat. Knowing what i know now a 5.7 would have been better, same cost and weight 35-40 more hp. The 5.0 works great but would have been worth getting a new upper for the lower ratio Required.
I can say that in my boat, you can really feel the weight of the V6 in the back. A V8 would probably be too much
I can feel the weight of my v6 also, first time out in it. It stood up I thought water was gonna rush in the back but within seconds it was leveled out an cruising, I still don’t have a gear set for the v6 won’t be hard to find some but I have plenty of room for a v8 , I also know ME . With a v8 I’m gonna constantly buy parts cam, alum heads then il wanna hear it scream, my boat can handle the v8 tho I’m certain, il end up buying two v8s so I can stroke one, you all should just hear my daily driver. I’m a mess an neighborhood probly hates me
I don’t mind running a 5.0 until I build a 5.7 either I can’t find any fiberglassing forums I did watch a few videos
Yes- my Sea Ray 200 was set up nicely at the factory to do either 4.3 or 5.0 hp ranged from 190 hp to 260 hp. Mine was originally the 190 hp 2bbl 4.3 vortec. I realized that it had the same power to weight ratio as my old boat 17 ft/ 3.0 which was under powered. In the end for what we spent the boat works great, just could have had the extra power for the same price, or only the extra cost of a new upper.
On mine Sea Ray did not use risers on the 4.3 version , did put a 3" riser on the 5.0 versions so there must be something to it.
Ayuh,.... Right Here,....
Maybe the extra 100-150 lbs of the V8 made it sit a bit lower, I know with the Volvo exhaust I have on mine there is a choice of standard height elbows, and ones that are approx 3" taller. If I go with a V8 I might have to use those, would have to measure first to make sure there's enough clearance. The originals with the V8 used the old style log manifolds not the center riser style of the later models.
Yes it does make it sit lower. I found this in the parts book that came with it, the 5.0's had risers listed as 5.0 w RSR.
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Yeah, it's a smoother engine and doesn't feel like it's working as hard, but I expected a much bigger performance gain, both pulling a skier (stern weight for sure) and top end (maybe gained 2 mph). Doesn't seem like enough of a difference between 220 hp at the prop and 170 at the crank. I am still running rich (10-11:1) at wot. Going to rejet when I get a chance, but I can't imagine I'll gain too much. It does feel effortless mid range with a load of people.
