Re-powering my Mercury 2.4 200

[dirtmaster37]

I have a 1989 Mercury 2.4 200 black max carb. The boat is a 1990 caliber 1 202 stinger with a mod vp hull. I want to re-power but don't want to have to buy a "complete" motor (cowling, etc). What could I get that would fit under the existing cowling? Would you recommend EFI over carb? I hit 70 mph last weekend but would like to be in the 80's. Thanks in advance for the help!

[nitro_rat]

Any 2.5 will fit under your existing cowl. I like carbs because I'm a cheap bastard but EFI is nice. I would look for a 225 promax with the plate and tuner. It will go on your leg with your cowl. EFI and reliable power. Just delete the oil injection and premix.

[Merc 2.5]

That's if hes up to the challenge of fabin it to fit , not everyone fans the 2.4 clam to a 2.5 Haha. But sure would b a sleeper with a promax

[nitro_rat]

That's if hes up to the challenge of fabin it to fit , not everyone fans the 2.4 clam to a 2.5 Haha. But sure would b a sleeper with a promax

looks like he's got the early bucket cowl with vents added. no fab should be necessary

one day ill do a promax in clamshells...

[Merc 2.5]

Hell that's a drag cowl n pic. Just go get u a 2.5 ov sumsort with tuner and exhaust plates and u ready

[nitro_rat]

Hell that's a drag cowl n pic. Just go get u a 2.5 ov sumsort with tuner and exhaust plates and u ready

Looks like an early bucket with bobs louvers and drag decals to me...

[dirtmaster37]

Looks like an early bucket with bobs louvers and drag decals to me...

yea I think it has just the drag decals. They were on it when I bought the boat a couple years ago.

[Baker343]

If I remember right Caliber 1 purchased Bakers 20ft bottom mold after Jerry past and they designed their own deck.
The Baker 20 was a solid boat just not as fast as his 18.6

80mph and north is a challenging number to achieve especially with full interior, saddle tanks and if you want to entertain family and friends with the ski pole. A steel sleeved modified 2.5 fishing motor or a Promax could get you there with some testing. A good LU and a worked bow lifting prop will help and I would try to keep the cooling system stock.

If your going to tested with someone in the boat have them sit opposite of you in the back seat. I had a 18.6 Baker ski boat with a carbed 2.4 seven pedal 225 with no oil injection. It took a lot of work and testing to hit 80 and above. Good luck

[dirtmaster37]

looks like he's got the early bucket cowl with vents added. no fab should be necessary

one day ill do a promax in clamshells...

What about a mid to late 90’s 2.5 260? Any issues making it fit?

[nitro_rat]

A 260 uses a one piece plate and i'm not sure your cowl brackets will bolt to it, I've never had one. You'll likely need a "race" style lightweight cowl to go with it. I'm sure it's possible to use a 2 piece plate with a 260 but it will require modifications to the plate. Somebody else has probably done it and might could point you in the right direction if that's the way you want to go...