2.5L 260 Pro Max

[Riptide]

1) Between what years did Merc produce the 2.5L 260 Pro Max?
2) Why doesn't Nada ever list a 2.5L 260?

[speedinstream]

No such thing as a 260 promax

[Hot Shot Merc]

I believe 93 to 97 was the run for the 260 2.5 efi

[Riptide]

My bad, thought they were, :o learned something new.
Just getting into High Performance marine motors.

Why aren't they listed in NADA?

[Tom Foley]

I believe 93 to 97 was the run for the 260 2.5 efi

98 I believe I just read but no matter .

[Riptide]

98 I believe I just read but no matter .

Bingo.
Don't feel ignorant now, knew I read somewhere the 2.5L 260 SS is indeed a Promax.
Found them in NADA, didn't look under enough years.
Made for 3 years, 98, 99 and 2000.

[tux974]

You are confused.
The 98,99,2000 Promax you are seeing is a 300 3.0L motor not a 2.5.
No such thing as a 260 Promax like mentioned above!!
2.5 225 Promax was 1995 to 2000

[Riptide]

According to NADA the 2.5L 225 Promax lists them for 3 years.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1998/Mercury/Outboard-Motors

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1999/Mercury/Outboard-Motors

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/2000/Mercury/Outboard-Motors


Somehow I started looking at the wrong listings.
Was looking at the 2.5L 225's. Opps.

So why aren't the 260's listed under NADA?

[tux974]

They are correct. The 300 Promax is a 3.0L motor and was only built for 3 years then in 2001 they came out with the 300X

[Scott Tharpe]

quit looking. you WILL NOT find a 260 Pro Max!

[Riptide]

I realize there is no such thing as a 260 Promax.
Was looking under the wrong listing.

But, why isn't the 2.5L 260 listed under NADA???

As stated above, just getting into the high performance marine stuff and want to get as many facts as possible about the different HP motors available.
Don't want to make an uneducated purchase and end up costing myself major $$$$$ because I didn't know any better.

Knowledge is the only way to over come ignorance.

[CNC_Guy]

NADA goes by the manufacturers' info. Mother Merc was pretty lax some years. Sometimes they are just called 2.5 EFI with the different shaft lengths shown. l their value is pretty low on some HP models. They are poor in the marine field and almost no bank uses the other (and sometimes better) marine guides. Good luck. Check recent for sale ads here for an idea of value.
Dave

[BUZZIN' DOZEN]

I believe 93 to 97 was the run for the 260 2.5 efi
91 to 98, the 91's and I think 92's, were the problematic bottom guided, 2 bolt main blocks, the 98's were Alien cowled, no alternators.

[Riptide]

Cool, thanks guys.
Now I know what to stay away from. :thumbsup:

[Riptide]

Did the 280's have any problem children?

[Hot Shot Merc]

91 to 98, the 91's and I think 92's, were the problematic bottom guided, 2 bolt main blocks, the 98's were Alien cowled, no alternators. I knew i was close. I had a 91 2.4 bridgeport and 99 2.5 280 so I knew it was between those years give or take a year.

[Hot Shot Merc]

Did the 280's have any problem children?Just the early years 99-2000 were not top pinned pistons they came side pinned. I think in 2001 they started with top pinned. Not sure bout that though either :p

[CNC_Guy]

Did the 280's have any problem children?
ALL the nic bore motors are fairly short lived. Check hours on motor and leak down. Stock 280s may last a little longer if not revved to the moon a lot.
Dave

[Riptide]

So is it a safe to say the 260's are a better motor in regards to not coming apart on you and will last longer if keep within a reasonable amount in modifying?

I ask because I don't see myself coming across a stock 280.

[CNC_Guy]

Any hi po motor you get, especially a modified one, start saving 1 to 2 hundred a week for the inevitable rebuild. That is what I am doing. Jmho
Dave

[Coryc]

If your looking for longevity 225 Promax is where its at. One of my favorite motors. If you have an open checkbook then 280's are good too. I personally would go 245 Carb before 260. But that's just me.

[tux974]

If your looking for longevity 225 Promax is where its at. One of my favorite motors. If you have an open checkbook then 280's are good too. I personally would go 245 Carb before 260. But that's just me.

There is good info right there!!

[Riptide]

On the 225 Promax's, what are the years of manufacture to avoid due to whatever issues,? if any.

[tux974]

On the 225 Promax's, what are the years of manufacture to avoid due to whatever issues,? if any.

95 to 2000 they are all the same except for the ECU's, you want the newer A32 ECU. You may see a 2001 2002 but those were warranty motors.
Some of the early ECU's were OK but the A32 has the latest program.

If you find something you have interest in the best advice I can give you is come back ask about it we have lots of knowledgeable guys on here to provide first hand and very helpful info!

[Riptide]

Thanks for info, good to know. :thumbsup:

[JPEROG]

What boat are looking to power? I might have something that would interest you.

Joe

[Riptide]

No hull yet, but will more than likely be a Allison.
Just doing my homework.

What do you have?

[JPEROG]

sent you a p.m.

Joe

[HStream1]

The reason thw 260 is not listed on NADA is It was considered a Race Motor. NADA doesn't list anything Race. Like mentioned if it performance and longivity you are looking for and if you want to safely hop it up you can never go wrong with the 225 Pro max. If you want to be having to freshen a motor every 100 to 150 hrs then go with the 260.

[tux974]

FYI, with some reliable mods to the 225PM it will put out 260+HP.

[Riptide]

The reason thw 260 is not listed on NADA is It was considered a Race Motor. NADA doesn't list anything Race. Like mentioned if it performance and longivity you are looking for and if you want to safely hop it up you can never go wrong with the 225 Pro max. If you want to be having to freshen a motor every 100 to 150 hrs then go with the 260.

That makes sense.

That's exactly what I'm looking to do.

Too many toys is not good for a man's bank account.
Been there and done that.

[Coryc]

Also too, a 225pm really puts out around 248hp to the propshaft.

[Riptide]

Add a little Nitro and it can be kicking 348hp+.
Maybe not for long but it will get u there. :D
Not happening.

[Riptide]

Where in the hell did y'all find this guy!!! Nitro for a 100 easy HP !! What a idiot!! Find a race close to you and see what happens!!! :eek:

Go piss north bound in a south bound wind!!!

You need to get laid and get a sense of humor.

I built drag bikes many years ago and there was and probably still is 100hp nitro systems on the market.

Just because you have a small block rod don't go getting nasty on my account brother.

You want a adrenaline rush?
Hop on a piece of machinery that puts you at 180mph in a 1/4.

[Riptide]

Don't get so riled up,
It's a forum thread and we're all here to kick it, have a sense of humor and learn something.
Myself included!
We ALL have something in common, we love boating and adrenaline rushes.

[Hot Shot Merc]

Don't get so riled up,
It's a forum thread and we're all here to kick it, have a sense of humor and learn something.
Myself included!
We ALL have something in common, we love boating and adrenaline rushes.welcome to scream and fly John :rolleyes: Just ignore stupid comments and they'l usually go away. It was clear to me that you were only kidding with the nitro post. Glad to have another guy coming aboard to keep our little hot boat addiction alive and well :cheers:

[Greg G]

Also too, a 225pm really puts out around 248hp to the propshaft.

That is correct. I have had two of my stock Promax 225 2.5s on a dyno over the years. One pulled 247hp and one 248. I believe others have dyno'd them as well. They are great motors.

[tux974]

That is correct. I have had two of my stock Promax 225 2.5s on a dyno over the years. One pulled 247hp and one 248. I believe others have dyno'd them as well. They are great motors.

:iagree: Plenty of under rated power from those little 2.5's