Upgrading 88 to 115?

[surrender]

Are the v-4 blocks from 88,90-115 the same. I think the 90-115 are. Dont know about the 88 special. If so, can I change carbs and reeds and re prop to upgrade an 88 special(year 96) to a 115 hp? That would be ideal for my application i think. Older McKee craft 17 (heavy boat)

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

Best thing to do in my humble opinion is to sell the current motor and buy a 115hp motor.
And that's the ball game.
Usually far more involved than you think to do that (if at all possible) and costs a fair amount of money.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

Yes, technicaly the blocks are the same. However, the porting is different. There are a couple versions of the 115 too. Now, your boat runs pretty good but it takes quite a bit of torque increse to notice any speed difference. If it were mine I'd concentrate on set up before pouring money into converting an 88 to something else.

That being said, there's a world of difference between any 115 crossflow an a 90 looper. Now there's an interesting motor for that hull!!

 

[ChrisAG]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

there's a world of difference between any 115 crossflow an a 90 looper. Now there's an interesting motor for that hull!!

What is the difference in performance between the two - are you saying a "newer" 90 looper will outperform an "older" 115 cross-flow?

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

I have a question for you Surrender..I also have a 1979 Mckee craft CC, total loaded weight is about 3K lbs, mine had a 85 HP motor on it. I never ran my boat with the 85, I got a 150 and put on it, I am currently working on the motor to get it right. My question is what is your top speed at Wide open throttle on your boat with the 88HP? I also would recommend a 150 or 175 if you really want some more power, they weigh the same as the 120-140 HP 4 cylinders. Thanks.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

Actually, the 140HP big bore looper will outperform most older 150 crossflow motors any day of the week.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

If you are set on improving your 88, there are some things you can do: convert to a set of 1 5/16" throat carbs, get rid of the low comrpession bathtub heads and install a set of older 140 high compression heads, install a set of 4 rubber intake filler blocks (NLA.) When you have the intake off to do the rubber filler blocks, you can consider adding a set of composite reeds. That will get you close to 115-120 hp at the crank. You will see slight improvement out of the hole-mostly at top end. Likely you will need to go up one prop size.

 

[Charlie in TX]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

I have a question for you Surrender..I also have a 1979 Mckee craft CC, total loaded weight is about 3K lbs, mine had a 85 HP motor on it. I never ran my boat with the 85, I got a 150 and put on it, I am currently working on the motor to get it right. My question is what is your top speed at Wide open throttle on your boat with the 88HP? I also would recommend a 150 or 175 if you really want some more power, they weigh the same as the 120-140 HP 4 cylinders. Thanks.

I have a '88 Mckee cc 17ft. It has an '88 Johnson 90hp. It does a reasonable job out of the hole. I could use more hp when the outdrive drags the mud. Top speed is GPSed at 31 with the trim down, not trimming for max speed. I would have a hard time outrunning a storm but it does ok.

The Mckees are a superior boat. Reasonable to talk about them in the same sentence as Boston Whaler. I have the 90hp plus a 15 kicker. I have decided to keep the 90hp and keep it running top notch. If it becomes unreliable or too costly to repair, I will repower with a new 115 Evinrude.

 

[surrender]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

115 is as high as I'd go also. The boat only holds 32 gallons of fuel. Not going to be able to use 150 or 160 hp for very long so why bother. A new 115 four stroke would be great. Heavier but the boat is overbuilt and has a lot of reserve flotation in the stern, I think it would be fine. Hope to make so money in 2010 and do just that!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

The crossflow is basicaly 1950s technology, the 60* loopers are 1990s technology. They rev quicker and make more torque. They are lighter than the 90* loopers. As mentioned, a 120/140 90* V4 looper will out perform most 150 crossflows on the same boat with equal set ups. Loopers get better fuel mileage too.

 

[surrender]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

The crossflow is basicaly 1950s technology, the 60* loopers are 1990s technology. They rev quicker and make more torque. They are lighter than the 90* loopers. As mentioned, a 120/140 90* V4 looper will out perform most 150 crossflows on the same boat with equal set ups. Loopers get better fuel mileage too.

So is a 1996 special 88 a cross flow design? Or 90* looper? Or are those two the same?

 

[McGR]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

The 88 is the older crossflow type motor. They may not perform on par with the newer looper motors. Nontheless, they are very good reliable motors that deliver decent performance.

 

[pmillar]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

I'm pretty sure the 90 degree v-4s were cross flow, the 60 degree v-4s were loopers. There may have been some 90 degree loopers as well - I'm not sure.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

I'm pretty sure the 90 degree v-4s were cross flow, the 60 degree v-4s were loopers. There may have been some 90 degree loopers as well - I'm not sure.

My 1985 140hp is a 90 degree looper.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Upgrading 88 to 115?

a 115 4-stroke would be the way to go..I had a 2001 Suzuki 115 HP four stroke lined up but the motor that the guy was buying (150 hp) fell through, so he did not sell me his motor..almost got one, then ended up with this 150 looper and $600 later it is still not running right. it is amazing how people can run a motor so long with out maintaining them and then sell it to me and everything needs replacing.