E-Tec era's and versions ???

[Instigator]

Looking at buying a pair of 225 or 250's for my Sonic and looking at differences between new and used.
I really like the new 250 HO's since they have 1.71 gears and warranties but also starting to see clean used ones show up at drastically reduced prices.

Wondering about differences from the first versions to todays?? If I bought older/used ones, is there updates that I could pay to have done at the dealer to make them comparable to the new ones in terms of performance etc ??

How about internal (mechanical and electronic) differences ???
If I bought '05's how close could I get them to new '09's??

Read NNT's similar thread on Ficht's was was very educational.

The expense of new is scary but putting new motors on my old Sonic in '99 was one of the smartest things I've ever done with any of my boats.
Amazingly, I think last night I convinced the Mrs. that this is a good idea

Interested in knowledgeable opinions.

[bworner]

If you would like I can get you in touch with a engineer at BRP, that way your hearing the truth,most were updates involving electronics etc.....but the 250 ho is a diff animal,1 piece exhaust, 3.4 liter,gearcase,oiling,alot of differences.....give me a shout but im 100% sure Mr.Liquidnirvana will pop in and address this with bad ass graphs etc......

[TwinRig]

Instigator,
All 2008 models got the new style injectors which I guess were more programmable by the factory for better running characteristics. 09's get the new IDI ignition I believe. The average joe will not notice any difference in running quality.

Some '08 225HOs had 1.71:1 gears and all 09 and up will have 1.71:1 gears just like the 250HO. I believe the ones with the 1.71 had the suffix F after the model number i.e. 225DHLSCF.

As Brannon said the 250HO has the one piece exhaust, as does the 300. I would assume this will make its way into all the 3.3L motors as well.

It seems like some of the early 05's had powerheads replaced. We went all E-Tec in 06 with our ski team motors and had precisely one issue out of the box and that was a faulty no oil alarm which was fixed by replacing a sensor.

We have some 2300 total engine hours on E-Tecs since 2006 and they have been great for us. Granted this is multiple motors with around 100 hours each total, but it is a pretty good track record of initial quality I think.

My friends personal boat has a 2006 250DPL and has 390 hours on it, all at skiing speeds. It had the deflector pin update end of 2007 and otherwise has been untouched. Doing the first 300 hour service in spring on that one.

Just my 2 cents worth based on my experience.

http://www.mustskis.com

[Instigator]

thanks guys.

[Capt.Insane-o]

We never charged people for ECU updates. It's not a terribly time consuming project and not really worth billing someone over.

[helios2001ve]

optimax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is optimax!!!!!!!!!!

[bworner]

Hey Instigator a buddy of mine that owns a marina has his 2007 225HO for sale, he got it for full demo discounts and being that he owns a marina it only ran XD-100, he is 50yrs old and it was on a heavy non performance Bass Boat....It was used from June 2007 to August,maybe 6 times, it has warranty for a 1 1/2 yrs, every update was done never abused or torn apart......The main year for the issues were the early 2006 225ho's, see they were released too soon and thats why BRP has released their new motors slower and have made sure all "major" bugs were taken out...I am not selling this motor, and have no affiliation, I simply am letting you know....IM me if you want and I can send you his email....My opinion of the 3.3liter HO's is all positive.....If you are considering purchasing one I would post a question to Etec1 since he races them stock, and has more knowledge of them than anyone here....Good Luck and you are going to simply love the motor, the sound is incredible at 5000 rpms+.....

[Instigator]

Been doing research and learning a lot.

Told a friend the other day that I am doing this same as when I repowered the 1st Sonic. If I'm actually going to spend this much money I'm going to take the blinders off and look seriouslly at everything. (which I did the first time)

With what the 250 HO or 300 E-Tec's cost I can buy Merc 300xs's! That definately got my attention

300xs, the good:
Bad Ass!!
Pick your gear ratio
Pick your lower unit
Fast as sin!

The bad:
91 octane fuel mandatory.
Only 2 yr warranty.
You can get an additional 4 yrs but Merc being Merc it costs.....$2400. - $2700. per freagin motor
In the end they end up almost $6k more than a pair of comparable E-Tec's.
The 25" motors are only rated for 5800 R's. (the 20's are 6K)

E-Tec's, the good:
The new ones appear to be near bullet proof.
Can't find fuel specs for them but think they will run on crap gas that I can get at any dock when needed.
Standard 3yr warranty and are now increasing it to 5 as a sales incentive!
The 250 HO's now have a 1.71 gear ratio. Yeah!
Both 250 and 300 are rated for 6K operation.

The bad:
HO's do not offer L.H. lower units Faster design than the 300's but no leftys.

Notes:
The 300 E-Tec's make more power than the HO's but only have the same freagin 1.86 gears we've had for the last 200 yrs

Weights between the BRP and Merc are virtually identical.

Also, the Yammi's offer nothing over 200HP (other than car moters on end) in 25".

Guess at this point I'd pick the HO's if I could get a lefty 1.71 but is probably about a wash.

Thinking if I do this I may end up with a classic that runs mid 80's on pump gas w/a 5 yr warranty! If I have time to add a pad to this boat.......maybe 90

[David]

My heart says Etec, but I like the 250XS. Probably close to 275 HP, regular gas, sporty gearcase.

[Instigator]

My heart says Etec, but I like the 250XS. Probably close to 275 HP, regular gas, sporty gearcase.

I wouldn't be running Sporties anyhow. Nose cones cost me 3 mph on the old Sonic.
I would run 1.62's in the 300's though.

On the old boat w/stock gear cases, I could raise the motors high enough to where the choppers started slipping and the boat slowed down and it happened at the exact same point the motors were running out of water.

[LIQUID NIRVANA]

Gary, New HiPo gearcases on the way. Not sure about LH. 87 octane fuel standard. Very Very quiet. Very Very quick. Lotsa torque. As you said a big no BS warranty. Stuff all maintenance.

Ken.

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[Matt Gent]

You'll have to burn a lot of fuel to pay the difference between the $30k in Etecs vs. the $7k in Merc EFIs that were on the boat when you bought it.

[Instigator]

You'll have to burn a lot of fuel to pay the difference between the $30k in Etecs vs. the $7k in Merc EFIs that were on the boat when you bought it.

I know.
Struggled with the idea on the 1st one for a long time too.
Those motors were $9K per in '99 and they made that boat the favorite one I've ever owned.
These motors are quiter, stronger, 50% more fuel efficient and come standard w/a 3 yr warranty w/2 additional available.
Keep thinking of what a great ride the old boat was in it's sweet spot at about 55 w/the trim just right......now imagine not even being able to hear the motors.
Long way from signing papers on a pair but got a step closer by talking to a dealer today. He has two demo, '08 300's but is way off on price.
We'll see. With what I know, I could dump the Mercs (in the paper now) screw together a couple of bullet proof OMC's for 1/2 what the Mercs are worth and re-rig the boat with the savings.
That was the plan from the start anyow. Already have a pair of 25" mids and blocks and many other bits/pcs.

[Matt Gent]

Honestly I make a pretty good living and I have no idea who can afford to spend that kind of money on boat motors. There are literally hundreds of center-consoles around here with twins, triples, quads. I think people are up to their eyeballs in debt on rapidly depreciating assets.

What is wrong with just running the Mercs? People put 2000hrs on those things. They burn some fuel and oil but they last a long time.

Edit: for reference I helped a friend buy a 250Etec, still under warranty, for net around $7k, so they can be found used for a decent deal. It was $9k on a 21 baja with a trailer that he sold. Hard to justify 50% depreciation in 2 years.

[NNT]

I know my biggest reason for trying to get a DFI 2 stroke on my boat is extending my fishing/comfort range. Knowing you don't "have to" refuel while on a outing is peace of mind. I agree that a lot of people around here must be buried so far in debt they will never get out in their lifetime and thats sad.