Which setup to use?

[starsnstripers]

Well going to revive this Formula 233 and it has twin 165 L6s I know it's 330hp with them but i'm wondering about fuel efficiency? Would i do better with a single 5.7 or the twin 165s as far as fuel? I know the 165s aren't the best on fuel because i had one in my 21.5'er but that was single working hard. I dont go more than 10miles from land or islands so if i went with a single i'd still use a good kicker. I'm just thinking double trouble two of everything, fluid changes,bellows, tuneups, filters, etc. What would you do? Any opinions on this?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Which setup to use?

If you are going to be Off Shore alone, back up is nice to have so 2X165.

If you are going to be "Reachable" 1X350 would be tons cheaper to operate and maintain.

If you are going in to the Bermuda Triangle, does it really make a difference?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Which setup to use?

I don't think 165's are all that bad......but I'll bet a single 5.7l engine is gonna be a dog in a boat that size.....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Which setup to use?

My SRV240 had twin 6`s ,21p props, on plane at 2500r`s , 32knots, 7 1/2 gal./hr total
any 4bbl running wide open will go atleast 20-40 gal/hr.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Which setup to use?

I'd like to have a couple 4.3s in there lol but i dont think they'd fit. I'm not sure about the shape of these engines yet he said one runs good but their probably pretty tired. Do you think a single 5.7 would use more fuel at equal rpms/plane as the twin 6s?

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Which setup to use?

My friend has a Slickcraft 23.5' and it goes great with the 5.7. I think this formula hull would go ok with one too.

 

[kilowatts]

Re: Which setup to use?

Hi Scott:

Over the last 18 months I've rebuilt 3 MCM 165 inline sixes. If your new Formula was mine then I'm sure I'd stick with the existing setup for several reasons:

(i) You won't have to buy a new or rebuilt expensive engine.
(ii) Parts for the 165 are very cheap and plentiful
(ii) You don't need to rebuild the transom and replace all the running gear to install one motor.
(iii) The power the 2 X 165's produce will be more than adequate.
(iv) Gas consumption difference will more than likely be slight between the single V8 and the twin 6's which would be outweighed by the cost to install.
(v) 165's must be the easiest motors to work on compared to a V8.
(vi) Most importantly, the existing setup is very cool and the 165 is by far my favorite marine engine.

Of course, all of the above is only my opinion, eh! Good luck whatever you decide.

kilowatts

 

[RicardoMarine]

Re: Which setup to use?

I owned a Formula 233 quite a few years ago..... If I have ever had seller's remorse, it was with the sale of that boat!
Single 5.7L w/ Alpha drive, and the power was just sufficient.
If I had it to do over again, I'd have done the Volvo Penta DP C drive... probably with same engine.

Great boat.... it cut through the crud like no other that I have owned.
Sold due to moving up to larger boat.

Dang I miss that boat sometimes!

.

 

[achris]

Re: Which setup to use?

A lot of what kilowatts said is true.... Nothing I can argue with...

Consider.....

'165' was the crankshaft horsepower of a NEW, BLUE-PRINTED engine.... What that means in real terms is that you will be putting only about 110 (at best) horses to work.... The engine that was in my Bertie when I bought it was a 165. I pulled it and rebuilt it (new EVERYTHING!) and that was only putting down 107 ponies at the prop. My old (1994) V6 went into a friend's boat, replaced a 230hp V8, and increased the boat speed from 30 knots to 36 knots.

New engines.... are rated at the prop, so a single 5.7MPI will be putting 260hp to the prop... That will be real sweet. (Personally, if it was me and 'money not an obstacle', I'd be dropping a new 6.2MPI in, with a Bravo 3 drive... )

The fuel economy of a new MPI can't be beaten (it would probably use about 60% of what you'll be using with the 165s), but then you have to weigh up the cost of the new engine and the installation work against the saving in fuel. The intangible here is the 'pleasure' factor....

And do you want to be constantly working on the engines and drives to keep them going (never really knowing when they will let you down) or do you want a boat that you use, wash, put away and forget about until you want to use it again? I know which way I'd be going (read my signature )

Plenty to weigh up..... Let us know what you decide...

Chris.........

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Which setup to use?

So your saying i'd only have 220 hp to the props versus 260 with a 5.7 MPI I would most likely end up with a 4brrl carbed 5.7 though. whats the prop hp for one of those? 230? thanks chris/kilo. I see your point kilo and yours chris thats why i like oppinions so i can throw it around in my head for abit to decide. thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Which setup to use?

So your saying i'd only have 220 hp to the props versus 260 with a 5.7 MPI I would most likely end up with a 4brrl carbed 5.7 though. whats the prop hp for one of those? 230? thanks chris/kilo. I see your point kilo and yours chris thats why i like oppinions so i can throw it around in my head for abit to decide. thanks

Some time in the 80's horsepower rating changed from crankshaft to propshaft. The old 5.7 carb was rated as 260hp, and that didn't change when the rating method changed (so they had upped the engine hp of the 350cid). The only configuration available on the 5.7 now is MPI (no carbs) and it is rated at 300hp (prop).

To answer your question, the later model carbed 5.7 is 260 hp (prop).

Chris........