3 liter efi to optimax powerhead swap

[Pickwicked Basser]

I've read it is possible to swap from a 3 liter efi powerhead to an earlier generation optimax powerhead with minimal effort, is this true? If this is true would something like an 05 or so 250xs and all supporting electronics be a possiblity? What all would this take or would it be so much work that I'd be better off swapping the whole engine? Sorry for the novice question but just wondering if what I read is true cause I may be in the market for a powerhead.

[XstreamVking]

You will have to provide water to the compressor. Use either an opti exhaust plate or drill and tap out the EFI plate for the water fitting. Go to boats .net or another site and see the parts diagrams of each motor and the diff parts. It is not very difficult.....You will also need an opti cowling to clear the compressor as the EFI cowling will not. Buckets are the same....

[Todd D]

What year is your efi? If late enough the plate will already be drilled and tapped for the water pickup. Just remove the brass plugs and thread the pickup strainer in the hole.

[Pickwicked Basser]

It's a 98 efi. So I'll need the fully dressed optimax ph, opti cowls, and possibly the exhaust plate. What about smart craft gauges, are they required or will standard gauges work?

[XstreamVking]

You can use old analog gauges on all the optis....Might need an adapter for the old harness to the newer harness plug in on the opti motor. Having the smartcraft is nice tho.....

[vnemous]

You will need a 14 pin adapter

[Pickwicked Basser]

Thanks for the help guys, I'll keep all this information in mind if I do end up making the change.