New Aritcle - thoughts on a Mercury Racing 3.4-liter R-series engine

[Greg G]

I don't know aboot need, but it's the only way I can see the manufacturer justify building it at a financial loss, consumer wise. We probably just see this from different sides. Maybe I'm wrong, but all 2.0, 2.4, 2.5 models were based off of race version, 12-15" mids? And from what I understand, they never were great sellers, at least the 2.5 versions. Hell, the merc truck stopped going to Jasper, which is a showcase to their race division. Like I said in my earlier post, the APX is only alive IMO because they want it as their spec engine for the roundy boats. Emotionally, I'm in agreement with you. But looking around at the recreational boat scene, it just doesn't make sense to have a motor no one will buy. This is solely opinion, but I'd say fairly accurate. I've moved on to motorcycles ATM, it's the same thing as far as participation. At track days, buncha old dudes (40+) at the track. Hardly any youngins. Small fast boats had their day, but I think its passed. Sad really. Some of the most fun I've had.

Appreciate your perspective and ideas. Hard to get a solid exchange of civil thoughts on the site in the last couple years. It's really gone way downhill with traffic since Insta and FB splintered single spots. I have a different lens I guess. I ran it by my wife who has a MS in finance and is a high level bean counter and she was less than supportive. Go figure.......

Seeing as Merc has ALL the needed engineering and components already built and on the shelf, how much extra "cost" would a 225 R really represent? I look at it from a marketing and brand strength perspective. The 300 R weighs 561 pounds and sits taller. A 225 R would sit way lower and would be 100 pounds lighter stock and if the cowl was changed you would save another 25 lbs. So you have a V6 option to fill the line up, it costs almost $0 in COGS, and instead of 561 lbs you get a little chop that puts out 240ish and weighs about 435 pounds.

There is very minor real cost (would love the division controller to run me through the incremental COGS) so they could sell a 100 or 10,000 but with 3 years of warranty the marketing leverage would be hard to argue with for a $3B company.

[PanRonnie]

so much to do

[Z06man]

KORYs STV Pro Comp with a new 225 v-6 Pork chop and bolt up no modify Sporty off 300R is running over a 100 all stock 87 Octane.

[Greg G]

KORYs STV Pro Comp with a new 225 v-6 Pork chop and bolt up no modify Sporty off 300R is running over a 100 all stock 87 Octane.

Yep great point, as I said all the "parts" are on the shelf. I had forgotten the benefit of being able to run 87 regular gas with a little chop which makes it even more fuelish for Merc not to offer a 225 R with 3 years of warranty weighing 435 lbs.

[Petey]

Appreciate your perspective and ideas. Hard to get a solid exchange of civil thoughts on the site in the last couple years. It's really gone way downhill with traffic since Insta and FB splintered single spots. I have a different lens I guess. I ran it by my wife who has a MS in finance and is a high level bean counter and she was less than supportive. Go figure.......

Seeing as Merc has ALL the needed engineering and components already built and on the shelf, how much extra "cost" would a 225 R really represent? I look at it from a marketing and brand strength perspective. The 300 R weighs 561 pounds and sits taller. A 225 R would sit way lower and would be 100 pounds lighter stock and if the cowl was changed you would save another 25 lbs. So you have a V6 option to fill the line up, it costs almost $0 in COGS, and instead of 561 lbs you get a little chop that puts out 240ish and weighs about 435 pounds.

There is very minor real cost (would love the division controller to run me through the incremental COGS) so they could sell a 100 or 10,000 but with 3 years of warranty the marketing leverage would be hard to argue with for a $3B company.

Where does your 100 lbs come from? If you put a Sport Master on a V6 platform it will still weigh over 500 lbs.

I think you're comparing the dry advertised V6 weight of 475 lbs to the real wet weight of the 300R at 561.

[Lake rat Skater]

KORYs STV Pro Comp with a new 225 v-6 Pork chop and bolt up no modify Sporty off 300R is running over a 100 all stock 87 Octane.

How do you think two would perform on a 24 to 28 ft cat made for twins? Still no steering options for a twin setup right?

[PanRonnie]

https://www.chevyhardcore.com/tech-s...sign-dynamics/

[Greg G]

I wrote an article on my thoughts about the Mercury 3.4-liter V6 spawning a Mercury Racing R-series variant. I'd really like some of your thoughts on that. I really think it would be a great option for the smaller, lighter boats we all use.

Looks like you have some feedback on a 3.4L "R".

[FUJIMO]

...3.4 "r"......

[skialot2]

200APX from Mercury's current competition line. It says it's rated at MORE than 200 horsepower. And it's only 395 pounds. That is 19 Lbs. less than both my 92 135hp and my 2000 2.5 200HP motors.

3.4 V6. Revs to 6800 RPM. 11:1 Compression. Runs on 91 octane pump gas. It has above water exhaust. Integrated trim and Lift. So, no hydraulic transom needed. It's built in!

Only problem is the super speed master lower unit. It has no neutral or reverse. Adapt a sportmaster to it. Put a warranty on it. This motor will work on any boat that can hold a 2.5

MR-APEX-Brochure.pdf (mercuryracing.com)

[PanRonnie]

You will need to win the lottery first!
https://www.proboats.com/engines-for...-sale-details/

[skialot2]

You will need to win the lottery first!
https://www.proboats.com/engines-for...-sale-details/

Yes I would! Just like any new motor. Even a Pro XS 250 is 30K

[Greg G]

No need to complicate things IMO.

Existing 3.4L V6
Add solid mounts
Add either Sportmaster or Torquemaster (has front bullet water inlets) from V8 platform
Add 3 years warranty

Couple of tweaks and motor will make 240hp burning 87 octane with loads of torque and be below 500lbs.

[Speed Jr.]

No need to complicate things IMO.

Existing 3.4L V6
Add solid mounts
Add either Sportmaster or Torquemaster (has front bullet water inlets) from V8 platform
Add 3 years warranty

Couple of tweaks and motor will make 240hp burning 87 octane with loads of torque and be below 500lbs.

I don't see that being under 500lbs...I also don't see old boaters wanting that low of HP. My 2c.

[skialot2]

I think in the next couple of years, Mercury will discontinue the 250R 4.6L V8. It will be replaced by a 250R 3.4L V6. It's the natural progression of the R series. A few years ago, the R series almost all supercharged motors. Now, the only supercharged R series motor is the new 500R. The FourStroke series 3.4 V6 already pushes out up to 225HP. And it is already 45lbs less than the 250R V8. A couple tweaks to pump it up to 250Hp. A lightweight cowl and a sport master gearcase. That would be the next generation 250R. With no tweaks, just a cowl and sport master and you have new 200R and 225R motors. they would have a whole V6 R series with no real investment necessary.