300 X or 300 XS ?

[mercracer2.5]

I am looking to get a new outboard. I have had a few 2.5's and love them :thumbsup:, but I need something more reliable. I have a 21 shadow. What are your guys thoughts about the 300 X compared to the 300 XS. I still want power but something that is more reliable then the 2.5. Thank you in advance for your time and help.

[Rayzor]

Go with the 300XS w/ Bush mods. You'll have the same performance with almost half the fuel burn............

[whipper]

Go with the 300XS w/ Bush mods. You'll have the same performance with almost half the fuel burn............

:iagree: If you have a choise the XS for sure. BUT If you have a choise i would also look at the SHO.

[kevindw]

Whip,

You a fan of the SHO????

-Kev

[whipper]

Whip,

You a fan of the SHO????

-Kev

Yes, its the future.:D Its just a matter of time before theres a supercharger for them that will work with a little more Revs. And i think they will be bulletproof.:rolleyes: I cant help but see what happen to MotoCross. The same will happen in outboards I think?

[mercracer2.5]

Thanks guys. A few more questions. What is the SHO?
Can you put a sportmaster on the 300 XS? (It doesn't seem to come with them from Mercury)
Is it true that the compressor belts brake off the 300 XS a lot?
Thanks again for your time.

John

[kevindw]

Am I reading this right?? A 250 SHO is a 4.2 L???

Crazy displacement but 539lbs isn't too bad for those CU...

That's a huge motor. Anyone running one?

[Forkin' Crazy]

Yes, its the future.:D Its just a matter of time before theres a supercharger for them that will work with a little more Revs. And i think they will be bulletproof.:rolleyes: I cant help but see what happen to MotoCross. The same will happen in outboards I think?

Not so sure about that. A friend of mine runs a ATV/motorcycle shop and he has people that bought them to trail ride/race. They have many problems. As the old saying goes, you burn a candle on both ends, it will last half as long. ;)

A buddy of mine has been in the industry (marine) for many years gave me his opinion of the SHO... He said it's nothing special and he'd rather have an ETEC.

DFI two stroke is the future! ;)

[kevindw]

Love the quote:

"As the old saying goes, you burn a candle on both ends, it will last half as long."

I'm a big fan of DFI 2 strokes but I can't honestly say that they are the future...

I'm intrigued by Yamaha's SHO and considering that they have walked away from DFI for 4 stroke technology doesn't lead me to believe that 2 strokes are in any way "The Future"

-Kev

[kevindw]

Again... F*ckin love the John Wayne quote!

[mercracer2.5]

Any more thoughts between the two motors would be really appreciated

[bretter]

if speed and looks are your only priorities, get the x.

If you care at all about fuel economy, noise, smoke, warranty, etc. I'd get the XS.

Ive had both.

[Go Time]

X motors are the way to go if you get a clean one. Simpler, more reliable and stronger. and when you run em hard. the fuel savings melt away.

[Adam McKeon]

Go with the 300XS w/ Bush mods. You'll have the same performance with almost half the fuel burn............

Ditto.... and a warranty.

[Double Rigged]

300xs is available with Sportmaster and multiple gear ratios. Not many x's around anymore that do not have a bunch hours on them. Read the thread from Dave Bush on the low emissions forum. Fuel burns do get closer at WOT but in a 21 shadow how long can you hold it open. 300xs gas mileage will save you $$$$. Not to mention oil also. I would be that would boat run over 80mph easy.

[mercracer2.5]

Thanks for all opinions for both motors. I appreciate it.
How many hours before a re build is needed on the 300X?
What is the compression range suppose to be on the 300X?
Do the compressor belts break often on the 300XS?
Thanks again. It is a lot of money to spend without some opinions from others

[njj502]

Never had either but after being around a 200xs for quite a while I'd go xs and never look back. If I could pick up a nice 250 or 300 for a reasonable price my ole EFI would be out the door. DFI motors rock!

[jpf091959]

I have 2 300XS and they have been incredibly reliable and run pretty good. I only wish they would rev higher and make a little more noise at WFO. I have an old motion 25 and it does 107-108 everyday and has done 109-110 all in fresh water. The previous owner had twin 300X's and it did 111 in Fresh and 114 in Salt. I have heard of 24 skaters breaking 120 with 300x's.

If you want performance I wouldn't go with a yamaha. I love their bikes, but I can flat out run away from my neighbor, who rigged with yamaha's. It is actually kind of fun knowing that America still rules the performance market when it comes to boats.

[Teddy G]

Stock 300XS
- quieter
- more fuel efficient, 20%-50% depending on rpm
- less smoke
- air compressor robs power and has problems which supposedly have been addressed in new model yr
- will turn @500rpm less, think rev limiter is 6400rpm
- makes less power esp. over 6000rpm
- has more or equal torque on the bottom end
- is a bit more complicated
- cowling restricts air intake by design to improve emmissions
- lower unit gets hotter due to exhaust gas and water routing thru the mid
- warranty 2yrs, plus can buy 2yrs more for $4500
-
Stock 300X
- louder
- more smoke
- burns significantly more fuel and oil
- 25-30 more hp
- will be @5+ mph faster on the top end
- turns more rpm 6800-7000rpm
- a simpler design
- cowling has much better air flow into the motor, actually ram air
- no air compressor
- many think it looks better
- don't make them any more
- hard to find a low hr used motor
- lower units are the same design as 300XS, I believe
- lower unit supposedly runs cooler due to water routing thru the mid
- no warranty unless you find a new one, I do know of one


Both can probably run 400-500 hrs before rebuild, but would think 300 hrs is more typical
Both available in 1.62, 1.75 gear ratios, 20 in and 25 in mids, fleetmaster torquemaster or sportmaster lower units (not sure about 2.0 ratio and 30 in mid but who cares)
Both weigh the same, but both are 100 lbs more than a 2.5
In a drag race they will most likely be equal up to a point but 300X will pull away at the top end over 6000rpm

Dave Bush Racing-- Level 1 Mods make them essentially equal on power for < @$2K

[mercracer2.5]

Teddy,

Thanks for the GREAT comparison. I appreciate it

[Li'l Toy]

I read a thread started by Mr. Demeanor relating to bearing failures on the compressors. Apparently there is a newer model compressor with redesigned bearings that is fine, but not cheap if you have the old one. I think that thread may have been in tech or in the low emissions forum. Also, I gather that all 3 litres can have lower unit oil problems if you run way high (overheat, spits oil out the top seal, then sucks in water when it cools). There is an aftermarket seal, relief line and catch bottle fix, maybe from Wayne Taylor, for that.

[Teddy G]

I have also heard from a number of people, that adding the Taylor Marine seal kit anf the Lakeland Marine lower unit oil vent kit pretty much elimninates the lower unit failures.
I'm going to add the Lakeland Marine vent kit and Taylor seal kit to my motors shortly.





I read a thread started by Mr. Demeanor relating to bearing failures on the compressors. Apparently there is a newer model compressor with redesigned bearings that is fine, but not cheap if you have the old one. I think that thread may have been in tech or in the low emissions forum. Also, I gather that all 3 litres can have lower unit oil problems if you run way high (overheat, spits oil out the top seal, then sucks in water when it cools). There is an aftermarket seal, relief line and catch bottle fix, maybe from Wayne Taylor, for that.