1999 XR6 150 or 1999 Optimax 150

[EMC 2870]

Just like the title, if you could hang either one on the back of a light 17 foot boat, which would you pick? And why?

Both have good compression and come with controls and harness.

[David]

I would be afraid of an early opti, perhaps I have listened too much to an opinionated friend...

[EMC 2870]

I have heard so much good and bad about the Opti pumps and fuel rail failures but they seem to be limited to the 3.0 liter, not the 2.5? <- Question not a statement. I have also remember a lot of the carbed 2.5s blowing a power head because of oil injection failure.

AS I see it:

1999 OPTIMAX 150
Advantages:
Fuel Economy- I have a very long no wake before I get to an open zone.
Turn Key Starting
Good Idle
Less smoke
Disadvantages:
Heavier by almost 30 LBS
Requires DFI oil
Bad Reputation

1999 XR6 150
Advantages
Lighter
Simple technology
Good Reputation
Disadvantages
Oil injection removed so pre mix only <- a pain
poor fuel economy at idle
poor idle
much smaller charging system


These are just off the top of my head. Did I miss any? As far as being an optipop, I would think that if it made it this long it should be ok. At this point either could grenade just due to age. Right?

[David]

I'd think a well looked after XR6 would last almost forever. I sold my XR4 this spring, bought new old stock in 1993 and my only failures were gearcases (my fault for surfacing the small case) and the power trim. It probably would have lasted the rest of my life. I idled it through no wake zones a lot and there was enough charging.

The XR6 was basically the same idea with more torque. Summer is short. The 150 opti would be a better motor just for fuel economy, but if it blows up, it's done.

[Ron V]

There's no decision to even make. The XR6 wins by default, even if the Optimax was brand new. Too expensive to repair and maintain. DFI motors are not for the every day guy once they are out of warranty.

My 2005 XR6 has a 40 amp stator which is more than anyone could need on boats like ours. I'd have to look, but the '99s might have been 16 amp which is still more than enough. Yes it is a little lumpy at idle but that's part of what makes it cool. As for fuel economy at idle, maybe not the best, but it's not going on a pontoon boat. Fuel economy for cruising and top end has been excellent on mine. I can take three people out skiing for an hour on 6 gallons with a lot of full throttle holeshots. Cruising 4000 rpm with intermittent runs up to 5600 it will get 5-6 mpg on open water. I regularly run 30 miles of river on 6 gallons and get on it quite a bit.