Why do we still have Carburetors?!

**home made tunnel** · 10-20-2020, 06:40 PM

Mainly geared towards the little motors. I can’t believe they’re still carbureted. There are SOME fuel injected but it’s 2020 for crying out loud! I just bought a 20hp merc tiller for my inflatable raft, but it’s amazing Merc is behind the ball. They don’t sell a 9.9 fuel injected. Suzuki does. Even tohatsu does! I know tohatsu makes the smaller motors for merc, but it’s just silly how many small motors are still carbed.

**FUJIMO** · 10-20-2020, 06:45 PM

...why do you think?

**SS Minnow** · 10-20-2020, 08:26 PM

I have an older 9.9 2 smoke Merc and it is magneto, no battery, no charging system.

I assume that if I wanted to convert that to injected, I would have to add a battery and then figure out some kind of way to keep it charged?

**Capt.Insane-o** · 10-20-2020, 08:44 PM

enjoy your tohatsu.

**Whaaaaat** · 10-20-2020, 09:10 PM

Simplicity and weight, I'd be happy that carb was still available in small outboards. And what was said above. No need for battery.
What next, efi for your lawnmower and weed wacker?

**keefallan** · 10-21-2020, 04:25 AM

Efi would make the costs too high..........no profits for them, they would probably have to sell it at cost to make it affordable for us to want to buy it. Is that Tohatsu electric start? Ya need 12v on before you start said beastie........

My bosses lawn mowers and tractors are all carb'd............just saying Tunnel.

**Da Bull** · 10-21-2020, 06:38 AM

There are some of us that still prefer Carbs.

**Instigator** · 10-21-2020, 07:31 AM

After spending $3500 for a fully programmable EFI for a hot rod OB project of mine, I learned how good a properly tuned carb (‘s) can be.

It takes a computer w/sensors all over the powerhead to make a motor run better than it does on carbs.

Keefallan is right in your instance though. It’s cost.

**XstreamVking** · 10-21-2020, 07:44 AM

Only people that don't like carbs, are the ones that have never worked on them and don't know them. Check out the carb to efi conversions on the hot rod cars etc. Well tuned carbs hold their own with the EFI stuff hp to hp.

**KIRCHNER** · 10-21-2020, 09:00 AM

When i was drag racing nhra S/P, i ran a 400 SBC, carb, no nos, no turbo all motor 630 h.p. 106/ 1/8, 130/1/4. 1.36 60FT. SINGLE 4BBL. For stop & go daily use, efi is superior, instantly calculating for optimum mixture, but for all out wide open throttle, a carb can get the job done. and you dont need 12v.. Ihave a 20hp yammi on a 13 whaler, pull start, carb, love it.

**InjectorService** · 10-21-2020, 10:45 AM

In Mercs defense the 9.9 Zuki is really a de-tuned 20hp. So if Merc wanted to they could release a detuned 20 and call it a 9.9 as well. Merc has EFI down to 15hp which is lower than any other manufacture (Suzuki aside). The efi motors are nice, I see a lot of them around here. Easy starting, no choke etc. Easy for the wife/kids to go out and put around/fish. All those motors have batteryless EFI so you don't need to lug a 12V around.

EDIT: I guess I missed the Touhatu part of the thread. But if they have a 9.9 out, GARUNTEED Merc will be dropping a 9.9 soon. The Touhatsu/Merc 15 & 20 are the same motor, Merc just has the nicer tiller handle (BY FAR the nicest handle on a small motor out there)