2 Stroke Market updates?

**Revenge22** · 06-22-2023, 07:48 PM

I run a 2 stroke rebuild shop up in Rhode Island. Sales are getting scarily slow for 2 strokes! Any 4 stroke I get in and service its out the door to a new home in a few days. Am I just seeing a slump, or are you guys experiencing the same? Even later model 1990's OMC 3cyl motors completely rebuild with a warranty aren't selling well for anything over $3k.

**powerabout** · 06-23-2023, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Revenge22

I run a 2 stroke rebuild shop up in Rhode Island. Sales are getting scarily slow for 2 strokes! Any 4 stroke I get in and service its out the door to a new home in a few days. Am I just seeing a slump, or are you guys experiencing the same? Even later model 1990's OMC 3cyl motors completely rebuild with a warranty aren't selling well for anything over $3k.

Carby or e-tecs?

**97mirage** · 06-23-2023, 04:52 PM

Revenge: please check PMs. Thanks

**AlliStan** · 06-23-2023, 05:03 PM

My friend Mike Clemens (Outback Outboards) builds 2.5 Mercs, mostly for ODBA racers. He can't keep up. His shop is full all the time.

**Revenge22** · 06-25-2023, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by AlliStan

My friend Mike Clemens (Outback Outboards) builds 2.5 Mercs, mostly for ODBA racers. He can't keep up. His shop is full all the time.

Specialty race shops yea i can see that. talking about the general market.

**altamate** · 06-26-2023, 08:24 AM

Unless someone is making new 2 strokes and parts for them.... the vast majority are going to switch to 4 stroke and never go back.

If I have major issues with my 250xs it’s getting replaced with a 300R because I want to be able to get parts for it in 10yrs. If they still made the 3.2 300xs 2 stroke that would be the replacement

I use to want the 3.2 dearly and looked at upgrading a few times even though my 250 is low hour great shape. Now the only way I’d take one is at a decent discount.

**powerabout** · 06-26-2023, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by altamate

Unless someone is making new 2 strokes and parts for them.... the vast majority are going to switch to 4 stroke and never go back.

If I have major issues with my 250xs it’s getting replaced with a 300R because I want to be able to get parts for it in 10yrs. If they still made the 3.2 300xs 2 stroke that would be the replacement

Watching from the side lines, my guess is you wont get 4 s parts in 10 years, aftermarket wont go there so you will be beholden to Merc whims, just buy a new engine.

**altamate** · 06-26-2023, 02:08 PM

Aftermarket will have no choice but to switch over as well, ...if they want customers.

**Revenge22** · 06-26-2023, 08:41 PM

good points about parts, but of course I guarantee there will still be plenty around in 10 years, atleast for older OMC's. Mercs seem harder to find parts for, and more expensive.

**powerabout** · 06-26-2023, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by altamate

Aftermarket will have no choice but to switch over as well, ...if they want customers.

the ecu will be the issue, to sell they will need to pay for their epa compliance tests.
Perfectly good mechanicals will be scrap for lack of a compliant ecu.

**Revenge22** · 06-26-2023, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by powerabout

the ecu will be the issue, to sell they will need to pay for their epa compliance tests.
Perfectly good mechanicals will be scrap for lack of a compliant ecu.

Right what an utter waste! The joke is the EPA is claiming this injection makes the air cleaner, but by scrapping the whole motor for one that needs to be built is far far worse. I swear the logic is just unreal. All transportation (cars, ships, aircraft etc) only contribute to around 7% of C02 emissions. Its industry and agriculture that do the rest, but are the least regulated. Whole "green" movement is a scam I say.

**AlliStan** · 06-27-2023, 05:44 AM

Drag boat racers are keeping the market high for 2.5/2S powerheads and parts. Every time one blows it's another that cannot be replaced. A friend of mine has learned to weld the blocks of blown ones, if they're not too far gone. I have managed to afford a 240, a 260 and a 300 Drag. They're high but I love them and have no plans of switching to 4 strokes, at my age. I'm 71. I think I can "make it on out" with the three I have, and the one I think I'm about to get my hands on.

**altamate** · 06-27-2023, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by AlliStan

Drag boat racers are keeping the market high for 2.5/2S powerheads and parts. Every time one blows it's another that cannot be replaced. A friend of mine has learned to weld the blocks of blown ones, if they're not too far gone. I have managed to afford a 240, a 260 and a 300 Drag. They're high but I love them and have no plans of switching to 4 strokes, at my age. I'm 71. I think I can "make it on out" with the three I have, and the one I think I'm about to get my hands on.

This explains my position,
I have no issue buying a used motor, but an obsolete one is a different story, been there done that, never again.

**AlliStan** · 06-27-2023, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by altamate

This explains my position,
I have no issue buying a used motor, but an obsolete one is a different story, been there done that, never again.

Yep. The 2.5s aren't obsolete yet. Too much stuff still available for them. Pricey, but still available.

**Aaronhl** · 06-27-2023, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Revenge22

I run a 2 stroke rebuild shop up in Rhode Island. Sales are getting scarily slow for 2 strokes! Any 4 stroke I get in and service its out the door to a new home in a few days. Am I just seeing a slump, or are you guys experiencing the same? Even later model 1990's OMC 3cyl motors completely rebuild with a warranty aren't selling well for anything over $3k.

Do you bore or sleeve 2.0 2.5 3.0 Mercs?