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Scream And Fly
07-18-2005, 05:48 PM
Mercury Racing Introduces the OptiMax 225 Sport XS Outboard

July 18, 2005

FOND DU LAC, WI. The newest member of Mercury Racing's OptiMax family is the 225 Sport XS. Based on the popular OptiMax 225 Pro XS, the 225 Sport XS comes equipped with solid upper and lower mounts and the race-proven 1.62:1 Sport Master gearcase, making this outboard capable of powering a single engine, lightweight hull to speeds in excess of 85 mph.

With the Mercury (http://www.mercurymarine.com/) exclusive PCM 03 microprocessor, the 225XS Sport has the ability to match - and even surpass - the fuel efficiency of many of today?s large four-stroke engines. When compared to traditional two-strokes, the 225 Sport XS uses up to 45 percent less fuel for the same running period. Just like the Pro XS, the 225 Sport XS runs on 87 octane fuel, indicated by the green flag graphic at the rear of the cowl.

Like the 225 Pro XS, the 225 Sport XS carries a three-star Ultra-Low California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions rating. The 225 Sport XS comes with Racing's standard two-year warranty and available one-year protect protection plan.
The Mercury exclusive PCM 03 microprocessor provides the ability to optimize fuel, spark timing and knock control for each cylinder independently, enhancing engine running quality and performance. The PCM 03 also operates the electronic multipoint lubrication system. The SmartCraft Control Area Network (CAN) system, a network of sensors and actuators, proactively monitors and controls multiple engine functions. This system also enables the PCM 03 microprocessor to provide real-time engine function data to accessory SmartCraft gauges, including speed, RPM, engine trim level, fuel consumption and range.

The OptiMax 225 Sport XS come equipped with a new 14-pin Deutsch connector harness, which incorporates engine ignition and the SmartCraft CAN (controller area network) wiring in one connector.

Unlike other DFI systems, OptiMax uses an exclusive 2-stage process. A burst of air (at 95 psi) shoots through the fuel, breaking it into a fine mist. This fine mist creates more surface area for combustion and stays suspended in the cylinder longer, resulting in a more consistent and complete burn. The 225 Sport XS features a higher air/fuel pressure differential than production engines, enhancing running quality.

A production 225 Pro XS, updated with the Mercury Racing solid mount kit and accessory 1.62:1 Sport Master gearcase, is featured in Bass & Walleye Boats Magazine?s recent 225 shoot-out. The "Sport XS" configuration bested the Yamaha 225 HPDI and Evinrude E-Tec 225 HO in all categories. Read the results for yourself in the June issue of Bass & Walleye Boats magazine.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2747/optimax225sportxs4008sw.jpg


Mercury 225 Sport XS Specifications:

HP @ Prop: 225
kW @ Prop: 168
Max RPM (WOT): 5500-6000
Cylinder/Configuration: V-6 (60 degree vee)
Displacement (CID/cc): 185/3032
Bore & Stroke (in): 3.63 x 3.00
Bore & Stroke (mm): 92 x 76
Ignition System: PCM 03 Digital Inductive
Starting: Turn-key
Gear Ratio: 1.62:1 Sport Master gearcase
Gear Shift: F-N-R
Steering: Remote
Alternator Amp: 60 (belt-driven)
Alternator Watt: 756 (belt-driven)
Trim System: Power trim
Recommended Oil: Mercury Premium Plus (TC-W3)
Fuel Requirements: 87 octane
Fuel Induction System: 2-stage direct fuel injection
Shaft Length (inches): 20
Shaft Length (mm): 508
Dry Weight (lbs.): 505
Available Propellers: Consult current dealer propeller guide
CARB Star Rating: 3
Warranty: 2 years

Reese
07-18-2005, 06:31 PM
Maybe someone can tell us what's the difference....I thought the ProXS had a three star rating? Except for the warranty the sporty and XS seem identical?

Why is it so hard to get another 500 rpms out the opitmaxs.

1BadAction
07-18-2005, 06:49 PM
optis (200XS) have been revving to 6800 since 2001. the 3.0 250XS runs out to 6800 now. the 200XS is limited to right less than 7000, and the 2.5 XS is the same. there is also a "champ" opti that runs to 7800. I'll see if i can scan my racing brochure.

the pro XS is just a "bass" motor. in other words, a glorified 225 opti. looks like it has a 3 star rating to me :confused:

northeastcat
07-18-2005, 08:06 PM
are they using a rev limiter to stay at the 5500 to 6000 rpm range ? What kind of price tag is on this engine ?

northeastcat
07-19-2005, 11:28 AM
The 90psi burst they are using has been a concept for a long time in snowmobiling with 2 strokes , its called the dial-a-jet but it doesnot use air directly , instead it uses engine harmonics to emulsify the fuel. It cleans up the burn pattern and fills the voids in the fuel charge into the chamber. Adds HP and economy at the same time. Very good set up to have. Merc is onto a good thing with that set-up. The dial-a-jet system adds 2 to 4 MPG on a sled and can add 10% to the HP as well and sometimes more depending on application and conditions.

Fast Fred
07-19-2005, 07:39 PM
ware can i get a set of tiebars for two of those (250xs's) ware do thay pull them together?, like 2.5 OS'S with wingplates, or down by the cavplate? :cool:
Thanks

jimmyb
07-21-2005, 06:57 AM
wing plates can be added to the newer 250XS motors (there is a pockets/studs that allow you to mount the plates) You will have to cut a bit of the cowl to make the plates fit... I believe most aftermarket companies that make wing plates and steering systems can help you out with the exact setup you need (and make sure you have the right 250XS). Or contact merc racing

northeastcat: no offense, but your are wrong with the 90 psi burst deal. Merc uses the orbital fuel injection system on all their DFI motors. Compressed air is injected into the cylinder and then fuel is put into the compressed air stream. By putting the fuel into the compressed airstream, the fuel gets mixed better and smaller fuel droplets are made = better fuel burn. The 225 sportXS, proXS and 250XS use high pressures than the standard consumer models.

http://www.banksiafdn.com/page_assets/Case2003_Orbital.pdf

Fast Fred
07-21-2005, 07:05 AM
thay are 04's :cool:

jimmyb
07-21-2005, 02:22 PM
i dont think the 04's had the capability to have the wing plates... you could switch out the adpaterplates and rig with the 05 or new adapterplate, but that is labor intensive and costly

AlaskaStreamin
07-21-2005, 05:28 PM
Why couldn't you use the tie bars off the tiller arms like the fishing motors do??

Fast Fred
07-21-2005, 05:54 PM
this hull should have tie bars front and rear, no fishin on this boat :eek:
:cool:

northeastcat
07-21-2005, 06:09 PM
northeastcat: no offense, but your are wrong with the 90 psi burst deal. Merc uses the orbital fuel injection system on all their DFI motors. Compressed air is injected into the cylinder and then fuel is put into the compressed air stream. By putting the fuel into the compressed airstream, the fuel gets mixed better and smaller fuel droplets are made = better fuel burn. The 225 sportXS, proXS and 250XS use high pressures than the standard consumer models.


:confused:

I dont think you understood my post. This is what merc says = Unlike other DFI systems, OptiMax uses an exclusive 2-stage process. A burst of air (at 95 psi) shoots through the fuel, breaking it into a fine mist. This fine mist creates more surface area for combustion and stays suspended in the cylinder longer, resulting in a more consistent and complete burn
What I said is it is like , yes like the concept of the dial a jet system , not the same exact thing. Emulsifieing fuel or breaking it down into smaller droplets how ever you want to interpet it is a proven HP booster as well as economy booster gained thru a cleaner burn. NE Cat

E-tec1
07-22-2005, 07:17 AM
If I read this correctly, this is actually the motor that they ran in the bass and walleye test?????

jimmyb
07-25-2005, 11:46 AM
yes, this motor = the motor in the B&WB test

E-tec1
08-03-2005, 07:11 AM
So they took the 250 XS(race motor) detuned it a little, released it as a production motor, altered it ran it against stock production line motors, then rereleased it as a race motor(race, hipo whatever)?????And everyone thinks this makes it a fair test?

1BadAction
08-03-2005, 07:20 AM
I guess it isnt a fair test if the bomb product didnt win :rolleyes:

THE OPTI IS A STANDARD PRODUCTION MOTOR!!!

bomb used their H.O.-merc their "bass" motor- and yammi used their MAX. cant get more fair than that. mercs "race" optis as you call them, turn a helluva lot more than 6000rpm. more like 7500. :eek:

BTW- the 250XS is a production motor also.

Dukeofchippewa
08-03-2005, 08:19 AM
At least they're still competing.:)

E-tec1
08-03-2005, 10:09 PM
The newest member of mercury's racing's Optimax family............... I believe that is how the thread starts.

Specularius
08-07-2005, 10:46 AM
That picture must be a photochop. That is a 2.5 liter Sportmaster in the picture. The 225ProXS is a 3 liter. The 225ProXS is not assembled in the race shop but in the consumer shop and runs on 87 octane fuel.

If that is pictures from the motor that was run in the B&WB shootout, then that motor had a definate advantage with the 2.5 Sportmaster over the 3 liter Sportmaster.

jimmyb
08-08-2005, 11:45 AM
yes, the pic is photochopped... the motor is all 3.0L, with a 3L sportmaster.

as far as it not being "fair"... The B&WB test was run and the stock configuration of the 225 proXS was running too fast to be safe on the bullet. So, since merc sells solid mount kits and 1.62 sportmasters as aftermarket add ons from the factory, merc was allowed by B&WB to bolt them onto the motor. After the article was released, there was enough demand for the 225 proXS with the 1.62SM and solid mounts, that merc racing decided to offer it as an end model (225 sportXS). simple supply and demand... fairness has nothing to do with it...

JWTjr.
08-08-2005, 01:37 PM
Jimmy:

That's not exactly square with how it went down. Jack Litjens told us about amonth before the test that Mercury Racing would be offering the 225 Pro XS with solids, Sport Master, and optional gearing. Then all of a sudden, after the test, there's a new model name (same engine, though). I don't care, but it would have been nice to have the name updated before we released the story.

Engine is stock, production engine, though--as if that hasn't been emphasized enough.

JWTjr.

jimmyb
08-09-2005, 12:03 PM
agreed on the name thing... oh well, the fact is that there are 2 versions of the 225 proXS... however the powerhead is the same in both motors

150aintenuff
08-10-2005, 11:46 PM
still annoyingthat merc has to damn near cheat its way to victory in a shootout to beat an engine that constantly overrevs its rated powerband and cant be published anyway... and if memory serves the yamaha was within a mph or 2 when ran to limmiter of the sporty equiped merc... can any one say prop work.. and gee they could be equal in a side by side.... I will not argue that both the merc nd yamaha and e rudes are good engines but XYZ hp is XYZ hp regardless of shape and form PROVIDED 2 things... you can afford it, and you can harness it... so being real for a min... I assume the 225 XS is roughly 240-250 hp at peak hp (not rated zone) and so is the yamaha.. the difference is where the hp is produced... low it wont carry to the rpm the engine / prop/ hull combo will so speed suffers.. high speed will increase only if engine can rev to slightly above peek some engines peak out at 5500 others are at 6000.. that 00 rpm difference can end up being 2-3 mph on top because 1 engine can sustain the speed over time where as the other struggles to run above the 5500 rpm peak and propping down the rpm to that peak will give a better feel and efficency than propping to 6000.. and IO hate to say it every engine is different.. even when buit bu same person, with identical parts, on the same day...

1BadAction
08-11-2005, 07:09 AM
blah blah blah merc cheats blah blah boo hoo Erude is discriminated against blah blah blah

go back in your hole, you are making yourself look like a moron.

150aintenuff
08-11-2005, 10:20 AM
1bad i aint an erude fan and cant afford any engine right now... and truthfully could careless who won the shootout... but to stretch the rules of the test so far as to test a pre production model... REGARDLESS of if all it is is accessories added to the pro XS it doesnt look good to the readers or to the general public.....

nuff said my hole is repaired and can again seek refuge in it..

drasticplastic
08-23-2005, 09:51 PM
Question, Does the 250xs have these solid engine mounts of the "new" 225 sport ?. And any other info that you have as to a comparison of the 225sport vs. 250xs. unfortunately I need to get a new motor. The motor is going on a 21' mod-vp bottom hull. Thanks for the info.

Stinky
08-24-2005, 07:11 AM
still annoying that merc has to damn near cheat its way to victory

Yea, Mercury cheats by giving the customer exactly what they want (need), how dare they. ;)

Stinky
08-24-2005, 07:16 AM
Question, Does the 250xs have these solid engine mounts of the "new" 225 sport ?. And any other info that you have as to a comparison of the 225sport vs. 250xs. unfortunately I need to get a new motor. The motor is going on a 21' mod-vp bottom hull. Thanks for the info.

Yes, the 250XS has solid mounts. Not the same as the 225SS, but solid.

The 250 XS will also accept wing plate steering bars which you may want for ModVP hulls.

drasticplastic
08-24-2005, 07:24 AM
Thanks Stinky, Which motor do you think would be better.

1BadAction
08-24-2005, 07:28 AM
Yea, Mercury cheats by giving the customer exactly what they want (need), how dare they. ;)

LMMFAO!!! thats great.

dont forget the sportmaster, they cheat by making that too. basically anything they manufacture that makes them better than the competition is cheating. :D:D lol

drasticplastic
08-24-2005, 07:35 AM
1 bad what are your thoughts on 225 sport vs. 250xs?.

Stinky
08-24-2005, 11:47 AM
Thanks Stinky, Which motor do you think would be better.

Other than the wing plate adapter, there really is no great difference.

So it comes down to how fast do you really want to go?? :eek:

Oh, and the 250 is handeled (sales/warrenty) by Mercury racing and the 225 is handeled by Mercury.

Go fast, 225.

Go really fast, 250. :)

Stinky
08-24-2005, 11:50 AM
LMMFAO!!! thats great.

dont forget the sportmaster, they cheat by making that too. basically anything they manufacture that makes them better than the competition is cheating. :D:D lol


How dare they. :p

drasticplastic
08-25-2005, 09:10 AM
thanks guys, 250xs is being ordered.

THE FAST ONE
08-25-2005, 02:08 PM
250xs,VerY Good Choice----ED

drasticplastic
08-26-2005, 02:26 PM
Motor is going to take 2 weeks or so to get here. the factory has to make more, 1st run is sold out!.

Stinky
08-26-2005, 03:00 PM
Motor is going to take 2 weeks or so to get here. the factory has to make more, 1st run is sold out!.

You do know that the new 250's burn regular fuel, don't you. :) Thats the other thing I forgot to point out when comparing the 225, 250.

Lars T
09-12-2005, 08:59 AM
Yes, the 250XS has solid mounts. Not the same as the 225SS, but solid.

Was this a feature only for the 05/06 models or?

I have just ordered a new 250XS from 04 - and was wondering if it also has got the solid motor mounts.??

Stinky
09-12-2005, 11:41 AM
Was this a feature only for the 05/06 models or?

I have just ordered a new 250XS from 04 - and was wondering if it also has got the solid motor mounts.??


All 250 XS have solid mounts.

:)

Lars T
09-12-2005, 03:48 PM
Excellent Stinky and thanks..

I read somewhere that these Merc racing engines puts out more hp than the official number?? Is this true or completely rubbish..

Do you know anybody how does some tuning for the 250xs - i orginally wanted a 300X but could find any so i had to go for the 250XS, but would like numbers close to the 300 mark.. Any ideas?

drasticplastic
09-13-2005, 05:53 PM
Stinky, Thumbs up on using just 87 octain gas. That is one of the reasons I went with a 06 motor over , left over prior years.

Scream And Fly
09-13-2005, 06:05 PM
Excellent Stinky and thanks..

I read somewhere that these Merc racing engines puts out more hp than the official number?? Is this true or completely rubbish..

Do you know anybody how does some tuning for the 250xs - i orginally wanted a 300X but could find any so i had to go for the 250XS, but would like numbers close to the 300 mark.. Any ideas?

Lars, they sure do. A member here, Ray Lybolt is running a 20' Bullet with a stock 250XS at 100 MPH.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=72519

C-Webb
09-14-2005, 09:51 AM
Excellent Stinky and thanks..

I read somewhere that these Merc racing engines puts out more hp than the official number?? Is this true or completely rubbish..

Do you know anybody how does some tuning for the 250xs - i orginally wanted a 300X but could find any so i had to go for the 250XS, but would like numbers close to the 300 mark.. Any ideas?

I remember someone wrote that the 250XS produced 269hp on a dyno-test.

THE FAST ONE
09-14-2005, 12:39 PM
:) :) :)
I remember someone wrote that the 250XS produced 269hp on a dyno-test. SURE DID B&W TEST IN WATER AT DOCK,WITH OTHER-2-OMC-YAMA--THKS ED

Lars T
09-15-2005, 08:04 AM
Impressive!

Maybe i didn't go all wrong chosing the 250XS over the 300X...

But i'm prretty sure I eventually will regret not going for the 300X ;)

Boys will be boys.. :D

B&W test - in case anyones interested.. ?
http://www.bassandwalleyeboats.com/output.cfm?id=943489

Lars T
09-19-2005, 04:28 AM
Does anybody do any upgrads for the 250XS??

Fast Fred
09-19-2005, 06:08 AM
the EPA has been out to kill hot rodding of new power, last i knew it was against
the law to mod a new motor, but if the idle mix is clean( that bein what thay are lookin at) someone will do it. it's the American way, :cool:

Lars T
09-19-2005, 06:21 AM
Hmmm interesting...
legislating "your way out" of a problem is never the correct way to go about i - however i'm still very interesting thew hear about ways of udgrading it.

BTW You guys "overthere" should pay some more for your gas, that would straighten the economy a bit ;)

Fast Fred
09-19-2005, 06:28 AM
thay tryed the same crap in the mid 70's, didn't work then, it will be the same
now :eek: i run LL100, or blue AVgas, so any thing at the car pump is cheaper :cool:

Lars T
09-19-2005, 06:41 AM
ha ha - try us$1.80 pr liter or us$7.20 pr gallon :)

Fast Fred
09-19-2005, 06:51 AM
is that reg 89oct ?

Lars T
09-19-2005, 06:52 AM
yes - reg 89 - or as it is known over here as 95 Octane..

C-Webb
09-19-2005, 07:42 AM
Here in Turkey it is close to 8.50$ per gallon for 95 Octane.

Why regular fuel is rated as 87 or 89 Octane in US, is there any difference??

Lars T
09-19-2005, 12:13 PM
Hi C-Webb

87 Octane is 95 in europe - dunno why it's named differently.. :confused:

froggy
09-20-2005, 08:05 PM
Lars,

The nomenclature is different in Europe than the USA because European spec is "Research Octane Number" only and USA spec is "Research Octane Number" + "Motor Octane Number" divided by two. Motor octane number is a real world number and it quite a bit lower than the research octane rating of the same gallon of fuel. The European refineries I've been associated with all have motor octane number testing equipment, but don't need it for spec, they use the test equipment to assess practicality of the fuel.

froggy