Allison SS 2000 as a daily driver

**Whaaaaat** · 03-08-2017, 09:02 PM

Keep having a thought of turning my SS into a daily driver vehicle. I live and work on the water about 25 miles apart. Currently the boat has a 200 EFI with 15 mid and bobs case.

A friend just repowered his flats boat with a new 115xs. This got my wheels turning towards newer power and a setup geared toward efficiency and reliability.

Questions would be what lower units could be run on the new 115xs, would a sportmaster fit? What other new engines might work better for top efficiency? What case would remain intact long term running surfaced.

Goals, be able to run over 80mph top end. Max efficiency in cruise speed. Daily saltwater use.

How would you set it up, and why. Thanks

**ssv1761982** · 03-08-2017, 09:25 PM

I would go with the 175 Pro Xs. You can put a sporty on it too. It would be the best of both worlds. I have been thinking about getting rid of my 225x and doing that since I hope to be running the boat a lot more now that I am in TN.

**whipper** · 03-08-2017, 09:39 PM

That would be a cool setup with a 175xs. Talk about a gas sipper yet still high high performance.

**Whaaaaat** · 03-09-2017, 08:20 AM

I thought 115 after reading old post and articles where the SS tested 13mpg with the 115 fict evenrude years ago.
I like that a 175 would still be 2 stroke vs the 115 4joke, just not sure it's far enough into the fuel efficiency range I'd like to see. A durably case like a sporty is a big factor as well. Think I'll swing by my Merc dealer today.

**Whaaaaat** · 03-09-2017, 08:58 AM

As a bonus a low HP engine might actually make it insurable!

**baja200merk** · 03-09-2017, 09:58 AM

I know a friends bullet regularly gets 10mpg with a 150 ficht. 200 etec is a bit less but faster.

**90 5.0** · 03-09-2017, 11:05 AM

200 ROS

my Allison would stab me in the dark when I was sleeping if I put a 20" 115 on it.

**JCSmile** · 03-09-2017, 07:36 PM

I would go with 175pro xs. There is an xb2002 with a 175proxs running 90 with a sportmaster on it. The boat would run 90 easy, wouldn't be surprised to see 10mpg, and you can get a brand new one for 1/2 the cost of a 200ROS.

**90 5.0** · 03-09-2017, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by JCSmile

I would go with 175pro xs. There is an xb2002 with a 175proxs running 90 with a sportmaster on it. The boat would run 90 easy, wouldn't be surprised to see 10mpg, and you can get a brand new one for 1/2 the cost of a 200ROS.

Ss2000's don't deserve to have ho hum 20"'motors hung on them. What did they ever do to you to deserve that LOL!

**JCSmile** · 03-09-2017, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by 90 5.0

Ss2000's don't deserve to have ho hum 20"'motors hung on them. What did they ever do to you to deserve that LOL!

Can't say I disagree with you there. That being said, there's something about buzzing Baja's with a 115 on the back. My dad had an SS with a 115 faststrike that ran 83 and later put a 150 promax on and it ran 97, so there's something to be said for small power on an efficient boat. One of his favorite stories of the late 90's a couple guys bought brand new baja hammers and he passed them both while grinning and pointing back at a 115.

**Whaaaaat** · 03-11-2017, 11:17 AM

I knew there would be those that hate the idea. I'm gonna keep my 15 inch motor on the shelf for later on, just need economical reliable daily driver now.
I stopped in to my local Merc dealer and explained what I'm after, waiting for a response.

Think any of the 150+ HP options aren't going to get me to fuel efficiency numbers, there really just overweight underpowered clumsy 20 inch versions of what I already have. 6 is way too many cylinders for anything less than 200hp.

I would look at etech if I thought the case would live, and the dealer's didn't seem to like the idea of solid mounts either.

Really sad how little outboard technology has advanced since the 70's , 50 years of shoving a giant brick shaped club foot lower unit thru the water.

**JCSmile** · 03-11-2017, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Whaaaaat

I knew there would be those that hate the idea. I'm gonna keep my 15 inch motor on the shelf for later on, just need economical reliable daily driver now.
I stopped in to my local Merc dealer and explained what I'm after, waiting for a response.

Think any of the 150+ HP options aren't going to get me to fuel efficiency numbers, there really just overweight underpowered clumsy 20 inch versions of what I already have. 6 is way too many cylinders for anything less than 200hp.

I would look at etech if I thought the case would live, and the dealer's didn't seem to like the idea of solid mounts either.

Really sad how little outboard technology has advanced since the 70's , 50 years of shoving a giant brick shaped club foot lower unit thru the water.

Maybe you already stated, but what are you looking for mpg's at 50-60mph? No matter what you get, I think either a sportmaster conversion or coning the lower is going to help get the case out of the water at get the boat up on the pad so you can see the fuel efficiency you are looking for. I know Allison has had a 150 Honda and SS on their website for years with claims of 12 mpg. I guess I don't know for sure, but I think you are going to want something in the 150hp range for best fuel economy. I think the 115 might be lacking just a little bit on the torque side of things and be under a lot more of a load at cruising speeds.

**Whaaaaat** · 03-12-2017, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by JCSmile

Maybe you already stated, but what are you looking for mpg's at 50-60mph? No matter what you get, I think either a sportmaster conversion or coning the lower is going to help get the case out of the water at get the boat up on the pad so you can see the fuel efficiency you are looking for. I know Allison has had a 150 Honda and SS on their website for years with claims of 12 mpg. I guess I don't know for sure, but I think you are going to want something in the 150hp range for best fuel economy. I think the 115 might be lacking just a little bit on the torque side of things and be under a lot more of a load at cruising speeds.

From what I've read on Allison's site, here and Internet. The boat was tested with 115 fict engine I believe, fuel at cruise was over 12mpg

The Honda your thinking of was a 90hp not a 150. I believe the problems with trying to make the Honda gearcase run surfaced was too large a hurdle to keep testing.

As for fuel efficiency at cruise, I would like anything over 13mpg. And would really like to do it all with a full warranty, at least from the lower up.

**BUZZIN' DOZEN** · 03-12-2017, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by JCSmile

Can't say I disagree with you there. That being said, there's something about buzzing Baja's with a 115 on the back. My dad had an SS with a 115 faststrike that ran 83 and later put a 150 promax on and it ran 97, so there's something to be said for small power on an efficient boat. One of his favorite stories of the late 90's a couple guys bought brand new baja hammers and he passed them both while grinning and pointing back at a 115.

It seems like I remember a v4 Yamaha in the mix somewhere, maybe the grand sport, or am I just nuts? ��