Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

[Stasik]

Regards, Folks!

Ones again, this is my first boat - please don't judge heavily

I got 2.3 Cobra with matching Cobra out-drive. Also, the boat came with an extra Cobra out-drive from 5.0 motor.
May I use this extra one if something happens to the original drive? If "Yes", what difference should I expect? If "Not", than why?

Thank you very much.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

If "Not", than why?

Ayuh,... The Gear Ratio is Way to High in the 5.0l outdrive,...

The 2.3l will Never turn it to rpms...

 

[Stasik]

Re: Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

OK...So, what Gear(s) should I change to make it work? Or none at all?

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

OK...So, what Gear(s) should I change to make it work? Or none at all?

You don't want to go there.
To make a gear change requires experienced hands with special tools, and possibly looking for obsolete parts. You would be better suited selling off the V8 drive and finding the right ratio drive for your engine with the proceeds.

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

The 2.3 also had a smaller gear case on the lower unit. You can not re-gear the 5.0 for a 2.3.

 

[Stasik]

Re: Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

Smaller gear case on the lower unit - got that. But the upper unit looks the same to me. Can leave the upper for myself and change the lower unit for 2.3?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

Smaller gear case on the lower unit - got that. But the upper unit looks the same to me. Can leave the upper for myself and change the lower unit for 2.3?

All the upper units "look" the same on the outside as they mostly all use the same casing. The gears inside are all different to match engine torque curves.
Get the Seloc Cobra Manual- it has a chart in it with the 20 or so Cobra drive ratios. Find your 2.3 drive ratio in the chart, then get a calculator and started mashing numbers., you might find there's another combo of upper and lower gearsets that make your original ratio or very close to it.

Or, just look for the correct drive you need. Seems the latter is easier to me.
Mixing and matching lowers and uppers leaves you with a drive for which you may struggle to know what shift rod height to use and how to adjust the cable. Adjustment procedures for Cobra shift cables are very specific to model and year. You'll end up with a Frankendrive and have to guess at adjustments.

 

[Stasik]

Re: Outdrives: 2.3 vs 5.0

Got it. I really thought that upper unit is the same. If not, sure it will go 4 sale (I'm a poor seller though)

Thank you, folks for great knowledge!