Why no 2.5 liter 260/280/300XS?

[engineermike]

Sorry if this is a dumb question. . . but why doesn't Merc Racing build a 2.5 liter 260, 280, or 300XS? The 3.0 and 3.2 liter XS engines are powerful and efficient, but have rpm limitations and are about 100 lb heavier than the 2.5's. The 200XS saves fuel and is light, but doesn't have the power the 2.5 is proven to be capable of. It seems to me that a 280XS or the like would be the best of all worlds: light weight, fuel efficient, and powerful.

Is it that the 260/280/300 don't have the lifespan that has become the expectation of today's users? Or perhaps the air compressor can't handle the rpm range that would be required?

Mike

[XstreamVking]

Probably a combo of many reasons. I have heard the 200xs 2.5L motors were 225+ hp. Pretty stout for a fuel miser. The compressors will not live long at 6500 or more r's. Fuel delivery is so lean and controlled, no way you can get away with the porting that makes the old motors so strong.

[Rayzor]

It isn't a problem of the compressors not handling the rpm, as the 200XS is spinning 8,000+ rpm very reliably on the SST200 tunnel boats. I don't know why the Gen 2 2.5 is only making 240hp at the crank when fitted with the Opti direct injection setup, but that is all we get from Mercury right now.

[Forkin' Crazy]

Sounds like a job for Dave Bush Racing!!!

[Lake rat Skater]

I know the compressors rob some power but I have to agree that mercury should be able to get 280hp out of a gen 2 2.5 if they got 280hp out of a 2.5 over 10 years ago. I really feel that a direct injected 2.5 making just at or just under 300 hp would sell. Mercury should also bump the 300xs up to 330hp I'll stop dreaming now

[Michael J Giesler]

1 word EPA