300sx or 280 hmmmm

[R.I.P.]

Im looking into repowering my hydrostream venus. I would like a reliable motor. I was looking into the 280 motor or the 300xs . what are the differances and pro and cons the most reliable best bang for the buc.
rpm rang and weight. transome is good and reinforced. weighht n/p.

[WILDMAN]

You'll be more reliable with the 300xs. Not to mention warrntee and better on fuel

[Wizard]

No brainer on reliable. Like Randy said the XS will run for years with much less fuel and oil expense. The 280 is a bad azzed motor and there is nothing like it when you push the go pedal. Having owned a 300XS on a Bullet Bassboat I can tell you the big 3.2 Stroker is the next best thing.

The only other thing to consider would be weight. I think your Venus can handle the weight of the big block but it will certainly handle better with the lighter 2.5. Either way your gonna have a fast and fun rig!

[Short Gambler]

I've never been more happy than with my 280, and all I do is fish....idle, run to next spot, idle....etc. I think the tourque of the 3.2L is awesome. Weight being n/p, 300XS. They both will need 91 octane, though.

[R.I.P.]

how often would I have to rebuild a 280? what is the wot rpm on a 280 stock.

[mikesufka]

I vote 300XS also.

[euro scott]

I vote the 280, I hate my 300 XS, the fuel savings is negligable because you have to give it a lot more fuel to get speed after 3/4 throttle it goes full rich and sucks oil as well.. Other issues gear cases, coils, some goofy cone screen in the adapter plate that plugs up with shell and and a piece of grass and shuts down and to clean it you have to pull the lower cowl to access. not a fun or short time project..

[froggy]

R.I.P.

Two stock versions of 280: 1. 7750 rpm limited 2. 8250 rpm limited

I have mine set at 8600 rpm for my fishin' boat.

froggy

[RNM018]

One More , For The Xs .

Scott , If that's the case , you've missed something somewhere .
you need to get with Randy ,and see what you've got going on with your set up .

Rich Martin 018

[Charger200]

xs for a pain free relible quiet ride

But i would say for you a 280 would be better.

-your boat doesnt need the extra torque of the xs
-lower weight of a 280 might be better suited for your boat
-280 louder
- if you like to run all day with the stereo goin cant beat the xs
-Being you have a light weight boat, you will be able to spin a 280 higher rpm which will most likely yeild a higher top speed as you will not hav to go for a massive pitch prop to get the same speed in the lower rpm range ofthe xs
- xs is more gas friendly

[Frank Molé]

i like the 280

[Dutch]

xs all the way.

on my euro, i was far happier with everything except it didnt plane off quite as quick. i had 260, modded 260, 300 drag, and a 280. my 300x would run right with a warm 260 and also 280's on euros. the biggest benefit was it didnt care how much weight was in the boat, or how humid it was. would hit the limiter with the 32 cleaver all the time at around 117. ran over 110 with four people in it, and it was still pulling hard. it didnt require $300 pistons, or $650sleeves either, plus rebuild intervals were about 1/3 of the 280. i would bet most of the guys saying 280 never had a 3.0. parts were way cheaper.

Helmut here is know as the euro guru, ask him what he thought of it.

[Dutch]

everyone keeps saying weight. another 100lbs isnt anything. people have been running 3 litre omcs for years without any problems on these boats

[olmo40]

The xs vs ros question is a bit like Anchovy on pizza you either like it or dont .
Im for the 280, id buy 4 stroke before the xs jmo.

[baja200merk]

love the cubes and big geerz

300xs on claytons STV in the keys runs 115+mph through 1.62 on the limiter with a 35ish pitch prop then pulled keys dave's stv and got on plane no problem