Should I buy a Carbed Motor for my boat????????

[hammersley]

I'm looking at getting a new jetboat, and I have to make the choice regarding the fuel delivery system. The base motor is a 350 carbed model. For another $1000, you get a throttle body and for an additional $400, you get a PFI. Now what should I do? I love the electronic fuel injection concept, but is it worth spending this $$$$. Also does a PFI engine have an injector at each cylinder? BTW - I'd love to have a boat with a Cummins - but the boat would be way to big for my applications, in both size and price.

 

[dmurdock]

Yes, pfi has an injector for each cylinder. As far as your decision, it depends on what you want. If not pfi, i'd just go carb (throttle body is great, but not for $1000). The good thing about pfi is the reliability and it also is not nearly affected when "stored" as a carbureator. Depending on how much emissions "crap" is on the engine (i have no clue about emissions and boats), i would probably get a carbureator if it's easy to get to and easy to replace. As soon as it dies, get a little holley with the "off-road" package (special float bowls,etc... to handle inclines/rough movement) and then you could rebuild it at will for about 50 bucks a shot. Plus, it really depends on the price of the boat... if its a 15k boat, your talking 10% of the boats value is just the fuel delivery system... seems kinda high.



Ulitimately, go find a board like this one for boats, post the model,etc. . and see what the boatheads say... .

 

[Motorhead]

I agree with dmurdock. If you were to use the boat year round then maybe fuel inj would be the way to go. But remember... you are in a boat and the simpler the better!! If anything can go wrong, it will when you are at the farthest end of the lake. If you are mechanicaly inclined, I'd get the carb. Chris

 

[Jumbo Jet]

An Edelbrock carbureuter works good on a boat engine. Can handle the rough bouncing, etc. without missing a beat.

 

[RonaldLarson]

Do you...

visit lakes which are at drastically different elevations? If not, I suggest carbs. F. I. of course will adjust for elevation change, but carb won't. I'd base my decision on that alone.

Ron

 

[MDW]

If you can afford the FI then get it, if not then don't.

I have FI and its great for fuel economy and no carb to gum up.

 

[cdpsrjc]

FI was a $1500 option when I bought my boat. After taking it for a test ride, I decided the 4V sound on the 5. 7 was . I didn't realize how much I missed that sound. '97 model, no carb problems to date. I use name brand premium fuel with fuel stabilizer all the time. If you can afford it, the FI would probably be better, but if not, just smile when the back two open up and roar at 'ya.