Etec Vs Optimax

[phantomuk]

Does anyone have a direct comparison test for these two engines? either 150 or 200 Hp ( i am considering the 150 HO)

I am well aware that some people on this forum have there own choice of manufacturer but i would very much like objective oppinions.

Many thanks

[AwesomeBullet]

You have a PM....

In that size range, I'd go for the 150 Opti.

[XstreamVking]

I like the merc 175 hp 2.4 liter optimax, real low fuel use and lite weight compared to the brp and yamaha motors in this hp range. I have rigged these motors and talked to the owners after they have run them for a while, and every one has had great things to say, and no problems.

[Fish]

try bass and walleye magazine (they have an online search on their site). They have compared several sizes of the big 3 (yamaha, merc, brp) on like hulls with each company doing their own set up. BRP for some reason at the last minute did not show up to the last one and gave no reason.

During the tests, Mercury did very well against the others, however, merc had a sportmaster and they others did not have a comparable lower unit which obviously would make some difference. additionally, I do not believe the tests included the new H.O.'s from BRP which from what I hear will definitely give merc a run for its money.

truth is, both are kick azz motors. Merc has a better lower unit, BRP, has a better warranty (i believe). BRP is aggressively trying to be the best and forcing merc to step up its game. End result, both motors rock, and I would be happy with either.

[Ferdi]

I like the merc 175 hp 2.4 liter optimax, real low fuel use and lite weight compared to the brp and yamaha motors in this hp range. I have rigged these motors and talked to the owners after they have run them for a while, and every one has had great things to say, and no problems.

http://www.brunswickmarineemea.com/p...-135$MEOPT_150
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/


Opti has 195 kg, E-TEC has 190/196 kg (long/extra long)


by the way - I am happy with my 150 HO , much less parts, no belt driven charger, much more quiet than Optis

[Cyncwby]

Hey Ferdi....Opti's are NOT supercharged if thats what "belt driven charger" means. They do however have a belt driven compressor for the DFI set up that makes very little noise. So please tell me how many "less parts" does the E-Tec have??? I personnaly love the sound of a Merc or even an E-Tec at full song.

[Ferdi]

Hey Ferdi....Opti's are NOT supercharged if thats what "belt driven charger" means. They do however have a belt driven compressor for the DFI set up that makes very little noise. So please tell me how many "less parts" does the E-Tec have??? I personnaly love the sound of a Merc or even an E-Tec at full song.

sorry,
I know that, but I am not native english speaking. for me kompressor and charger meant the same .
I know that the kompressor only kompresses fuel for direct injection. But, this kompressor is belt driven, right ?
So, there are a kompressor, a drive belt, a drive shaft (or whatever it is named), some mechanism to stretch the belt ( i suppose) ......
I personally do not like the Orbital system, which is used in Optis and Tohatsus and which is licensed from them http://www.orbeng.com.au/orbital/dir...dioverview.htm
And each part which is not present cannot fail.

E-TEC creates pressure for fuel directly in the injectors. That's a real advantage of E-TEC technology (also of former Fichts and DI's) against Optis.

But, also the Opti is a fine piece of craftmanship and is very strong and powerfull. Even they are louder than E-TECs, but this is not allways a disadvantage. Some people love it .

You always will find one who loves one engine more than the other. And everybody loves his own one .

[neveredge]

I love the Rudes but if fuel economy is what you want then the Opti is what you need. The Rude 150 H.O has been tested at just 2 mph slower than the Merc 175 Opti XS. However the Rude 175 will probably not be any faster as it has a bigger gearcase.

BTW, did you all know that OMC and not Merc developed the Opti system. They then decided it wasn't for them and dropped it for the Ficht system. I would say that was the biggest boneheaded move in outboard manufacturing history.

[Markus]

I know that the kompressor only kompresses fuel for direct injection.

No, it compresses air.

[phantomuk]

I have to say thank you very much for all the replies to this post! also it is nice to see constructive posts rather than petty squabbling like i have seen on some other forums, this seems like a good grown up subject!

the only other thing i have to compare is prices! but if anyone else would like to add there 2 pence, please do!

[Cyncwby]

Here's a few... Ed's Marine 150 E-Tec $11,00 ...150 Optimax $9,600, these prices are plus shipping. Jaco's Marine 150 Optimax $9,933 + shipping but they give a 5 yr. warranty instead of the usual 3 yr. If that 5 yr. deal is still in effect I would jump all over it...another 2 yrs. for $333!! Do shop around though, the way the economy is right now and the end of summer you might find a hell of a deal......on either engine.

[XstreamVking]

This has nothing to do with which is the better motor. Look around and check out the local dealers. See which one, merc or brp is the dealer you want working on your new baby. Sometimes this is the most important choice!

[bworner]

heres the truth, Mercury, Yamaha, Tohatsu, Honda, Suzuki, and yes Evinrude all make unbelievable motors. However like most people know BRP has really stepped up the Direct Injection part of the game....Before the Etec Mercury was dropping the Optimax and it was selling Sh-tty, the HPDI was rarely used, Evinrude should get applause for stepping up the sales of ALL DIRECT INJECTION MOTORS....They shed the truth on 4 stroke technology, then the other 2 big DI companys followed suit and started telling the differences in technology.....Everyone knows that posts here that I personally prefer the Etec, simply because of the smoothness, sound, less parts, WARRANTY, their dedication to improve their product every time you turn around, oh and also STUMP PULLING TORQUE, AND NOW HIGHER HORSEPOWER MOTORS, now of course when you compare the extremely expensive 175 PRO xs supposedly (192)hp vs. the 150 HO Etec, hows that fair for performance??? 192hp vs 165hp, yet the Etec in our tests of customers boats we have seen only a 1-2mph gps speed advantage on high performance hulls, and the price difference is usually $2000.00, we tested on boats at the Bass Cat dealer meeting, a 2009 Pantera classic (light) vs a 2009 Pantera 2 (same hull as classic just a couple pounds heavier), the classic had a 200 Optimax the Pantera 2 had a 200HO Etec, out of the whole they were close, once 50mph hit the HO ate the optimax, and thats the truth, all of the Mercury fellows that would not talk Etec before that day, bought some Evinrudes for their dealer, seriously......Both motors are on the top of their game, however Ive learned from real sources that the 150 opti puts out a real 146hp at the prop since 2006,EPA, the 150 ho is roughly 163-165 at the prop, with a lower restirction lower bullet unit, so decide who will service you, what dealers sell in your area, and also check the 150-175 HPDI, very good company and motor, call me if you want real opinions and facts, Brannon 920-295-2069 anytime

[David]

I'd be happy with any of the DFI engines with a warranty

Where I live, its not so simple as buying from a local dealer who can support you. The small local guys don't have the buying power, so they are thousands of dollars more expensive than the big dealers. And the small local guys may not have the experience to deal with the complications of DFI technology. The stories I hear suggest they don't.

Hypothetically, I am willing to support my local guy, but only for hundreds, not thousands. Practically, I keep running my old motor.

Two more things: Merc has the best gearcases and its easy to find solid mounts for Mercs.

[bworner]

yes Mercury does "typically" have a better lower unit, at least thats what I have always read....but having the Racing division for so many years and perfecting the gears and water intakes that they definitely have a HUGE advantage.....what I like about BRP is that they took a defunct company with at the time a "****ty" reputation, added technology and almost literally overnight cleaned up the OMC machining issues, heck OMC carb models were even "****ty"that last year, they had their engineers perfect technologies that were being experimented on "you" the buyer F.I.C.H.T. and made it their own and simply the BEST DFI system on the market, anywhere....and now this year 2008 they have been proving themselves in Bass areas, ski racing, and in all areas of boating that the HO series of motors can and will dominate the other companies RACING DIVISION, does that mean one is better than the other, no, it means that the BIG BOYS that have been for years sitting and yawning at DFI technologies had to step up the Opti into the kick ass machine it is......All Merc guys do have to admit that for the last 2 years the Production Pro XS has been having some pretty serious issues, and those issues are documented here and on Bassboatcentral.com........just like the E-tec, the HPDI, right yamaha guys, THEY ALL HAVE ISSUES.....if you have a better tech with Merc, BRP or Yamaha, thats who you should choose, if all 3 are great, thats simple, PICK ETEC, just kidding,