2002 Evinrude 225 HO Fitch Questions

[astasoftride]

A couple of questions regarding this engine. It is on a boat I am interested in seeing.

Are these generally reliable?

Are these OK for use in saltwater? I would be using it halftime in salt and fresh.

Would the lower unit need to be pinned to run up high?

thanks

[baja200merk]

Yes they are good motors. Salt will not be a problem but flushing it never hurts. It should be a lightning case and pinning it will not hurt.

[astasoftride]

Thanks for the reply. I looked up some info on the lightning lowers. It seems they have mixed reviews. What are your feelings about the lower unit when running high?

[baja200merk]

My old stock OMC case ran for 8yrs surfaced and beaten on hard with big props and weight all the time. Plus the last few yrs it had 300+hp on it and 8k+rpm and it held together fine. Never had a gearcase problem except when i found 4 ft of fishing line in the propshaft seals. If I was you I would pin it and avoid shifting it running if your really worried about it. Your not gonna be able to run it as high as you think with out a lwpu.

[elite service]

Ive been running lightning gc and L2 gear case for quite a while now on a mirage ski racer. There not bad pushing a light weight boat, keep a close eye on that gear lube though. ficht engine not bad either ive had 3 of them 3.3 and 3.0 litre. Make sure you have a good shop that knows how to work on fichts though!

[baja200merk]

Do you have a cone on the l2? What motor is it on?

[elite service]

no cone its on a e tec 225 ho,ive been thinking about cutting off that factory nose and installing a bobs though!

[baja200merk]

I dont think you have to cut it. Put a torque tab on the skeg and a bobs cone on it you will love it. The larger "wing" shaped skeg on the L2 keeps steering torque down alone then add a torque tab and you will have no steering torque and the case will go through the water strait = speed. How fast have you been? I'd love to see some pics, I have an etec thats going on my t1 soon

[elite service]

95 is as fast as ive had it, high gear ratio on the L2 seems to help, running the gear case deep w the stock water intakes is holding me back I think.New to the forum ill try to get some pics of the mirage and other toys up soon. That boat on your profile picture looks familar i think i know the guy that used to own it

[baja200merk]

Yes the case is holding you back. The higher ratio does help. YOu might he was from stuart. Traded my mirage for it.