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Etec HO vs. Standard engine?
Derwd24	#1  Posted on 07/12/08 - 11:30 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Getting close to making a decision on repowering our outrage. One of the local dealers is offering me a 200 HP Etec HO for a little over $15K plus rigging. Anyone have any thoughts or experience on the HO Etec vs the regular? I know they're heavier to begin with, but don't know much beyond that. Thanks! Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
seahorse	#2  Posted on 07/12/08 - 11:52 AM
Member Posts: 103 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/21/06	The 200 HO is the 90 ° big block, 3.3L motor, as opposed to the smaller 2.6L 60° block used in the regular 200. Get the HO version, you will be a lot happier with the extra low end torque and overall performance. The 25" shaft 200 HO also uses the Magnum gearcase which is a plus in your situation as it is designed for pushing heavy offshore boats.
Derwd24	#3  Posted on 07/12/08 - 12:06 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Ahhh, it's the bigger block, makes sense now, thanks. I've read a lot about larger hp engines having to work less hard, and since it's the same block as the 225, am wondering if it would make sense to go with the bigger HP for longer engine life? Not really sure what the difference is now between the 200 HO and the 225... Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
sraab928	#4  Posted on 07/13/08 - 4:25 AM
Member Project Albums Posts: 1282 Comments: 13 Joined: 12/27/05	Well there is an old car saying - there is no substitute for cubic inches. But I will follow that up with really fast Honda Civics at the track, which never would have happened 20 years ago so maybe thats just that - an old saying. If it were me and all things equal, your boat can handle the weight - so go for the HO... More grunt is a good thing. Scott 1974 21' Revenge w Mercury 200 ProXS V8
kamie	#5  Posted on 07/13/08 - 5:17 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	HP is still HP what is the price difference between the 200HP HO and the 225HP? They should be basically the same price and the same weight. I agree if it's between the 200HP vs 200HP HO, got HO but since you can go with a 225, why not go that way? Same engine as the 200HP H.O. and 5 more HP.
Derwd24	#6  Posted on 07/13/08 - 7:07 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Thanks for the replies! The one catch is that the dealer who is offering me the 200 HO doesn't have an '08 225 in stock and quoted me over $19K just for the '09 225 motor plus another $2200 for rigging, which seems pretty high to me. I was able to pretty much rule out the 200 hp yesterday as posts on an Etec forum said it's mainly a tuned up 175 and I'm not sure it would have enough low end. I guess I'm just not sure why there's a need for a 200 HO when it's so close to the 225 in HP? In my mind, it seems like HO things usually need to work harder, which is a detriment to longevity in the boating world, but also maybe why those Honda's go so fast Scott! But if that's not the case, and it's a decent engine, the dealer said he could have it rigged and ready for me in less than a week, which is very appealing! Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
HarleyFXDL	#7  Posted on 07/13/08 - 8:12 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 917 Comments: 30 Joined: 07/24/07	The HO Motors have a High speed gear case. Yes the 200 HO is the 90 deg V-6 and the 200 std is the 60 deg V-6. The 150 HO and std are the same powerhead though. There is about a 90-100 lb difference between the 200 HO and 200 std, the weight increase going towards the HO.
Bob Kemmler JR	#8  Posted on 07/13/08 - 9:17 AM
Member Project Albums Posts: 269 Comments: 7 Joined: 10/10/05	I'm not trying to start a brand war but $21.2k for motor and rigging is nuts IMO. I have priced a new 300xs Merc at $15.8k and can probably shave a couple hundred off that figure. I would look into the Optimaxes, they have proven to be better on fuel, you support a American owned company, lower emissions, lower weight and better factory backed warranty. Also don't overlook the 200 hp 4cyl verado if 4 stroke is a option. I would never go back to that dealer if he told me $21.2k for that lol Good luck with whatever you put on the back. Scott don't forget those fast Civics are usually boosted and/or have nitrous. Most of the time they are also in a stripped shell of a car and aren't pratical for everyday use anymore. Most are lucky to get 25 mpg after all the mods and seem to need constant tuning. they can fly but in the end they still sound like a fartin bumblebee Edited by Bob Kemmler JR on 07/13/08 - 9:29 AM On the hunt for a classic 19 or 21 Whaler
MW	#9  Posted on 07/13/08 - 2:03 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1827 Comments: 10 Joined: 01/08/06	I say go "H.O." (High Output). You're not going to run "Full Throttle" all of the time, and as we all know from boating, sometimes we get caught in a "pinch" situation, if it were me, I would want the "H.O." on the back if I needed the throttle in a hurry. mw
Phil T	#10  Posted on 07/13/08 - 2:34 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	While I defer to the outboard pros on engine choice, I do recommend you shop around. Getting several quotes and telling them you are getting bids will get them to give you real figures. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Joe Kriz	#11  Posted on 07/13/08 - 2:49 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	I'm not a speed freak. I like the idea of the 200 hp because it is 100 pounds lighter than the 200 HO. I also have a need for a trolling motor or a backup motor to either fish or use in an emergency to get me out of trouble. I have said this before, I believe all boats 17' and over should have a kicker motor even though some may get by without one if they have Sea-Tow close at hand. A 200 hp and a 100 pound kicker motor will be the same weight as the 200 HO.... Andy Gere bought the 200hp for his 22' Outrage Cuddy and is also using a kicker motor. http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...ser_id=271 Unless you are a speed freak or a tournament bass boater, I would recommend the 200 hp over the HO model for the 22' Outrage series Whalers. The 200 hp should be cheaper than the 200 HO model unless this dealer just wants to get rid of the HO model.
Josey Whaler	#12  Posted on 07/16/08 - 2:40 PM
Member Posts: 77 Comments: 1 Joined: 05/28/08	Well here's an idea sure to further confuse. How bout re-powering with what the boat was designed for-Twins. A pair of 115 e-tecs would be an awesome set-up for that boat. It is rated for up to 240 HP. I'm sure a pair could be had for the 21K figure the dealer threw at you-perhaps less-and offer performance & reliability beyond a large single. For the same price, or even a few dollars more, I'd hang a pair of twins hands down.
Derwd24	#13  Posted on 07/20/08 - 10:37 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	The twins are appealing for sure, but the extra weight of 225 lbs compared with the big block Etec would be a factor on our hull. We ended up going with the 200 HO and it's getting rigged this coming week. Given that the hull is a little heavy, there was some question whether the small block 200 would have enough power, but the low weight would have been great. It was a little tricky determining exactly how much HP the HO engine produces, but it should be enough hopefully. Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback, and once we get it in for a few runs, I'll post back with a report. Edited by Derwd24 on 07/20/08 - 3:36 PM Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
seahorse	#14  Posted on 07/20/08 - 10:43 AM
Member Posts: 103 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/21/06	It was a little tricky determining exactly how much HP the HO engine produces It is the low end torque that you should be concerned with for your boat, and the big block HO version will greatly outperform the small block 200 in that category. You made a good choice.
Derwd24	#15  Posted on 07/20/08 - 10:48 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Many thanks Seahorse. I was told that when all the Etec's are tested at the factory, they have a acceptable 10% hp variation, which I took it to mean that a 200 could be anywhere from a 180 hp to a 220 hp. I may be mistaken, but I thought that the low end would be related to the HP output of the engine? So it seemed important to get a ballpark number as I didn't want to be underpowered. But from everything I've heard about these engines, it's going to be a world of difference from the old looper! Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
Joe Kriz	#16  Posted on 07/20/08 - 10:55 AM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Derwd, Be sure to wear your goggles and your seat belt and hold on tight. Seriously, hold on tight and wear that safety lanyard.... Look forward to hearing how that motor does on the Outrage 22'.... I think you are going to be impressed.
Derwd24	#17  Posted on 07/20/08 - 2:36 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Thanks Joe, I think so too... He has an aluminum prop on the item sheet for about $150 and when I asked about a stainless, he said he could put the price of the alum towards it, but it would be another $450 in addition to the trade. So I've got to decide on that and make sure it's the right prop for the rig and it should be all set! Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
ioptfm	#18  Posted on 07/20/08 - 3:37 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1533 Comments: 3 Joined: 10/28/06	If he is asking $450 for the Steel prop, I think that I would take the alum he is offering..............keep it as a backup and purchase a steel one from someone else. $450 seems outragously high to me. Tom 1979 Sport 15'
HarleyFXDL	#19  Posted on 07/20/08 - 6:06 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 917 Comments: 30 Joined: 07/24/07	Plenty of SS props for sale on ebay cheap.
Derwd24	#20  Posted on 07/21/08 - 9:49 AM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	Io, I agree, and it's really closer to $600 as he takes the alum back in addition to the $450. I'm not well versed on prop selection so buying one is kind of like a shot in the dark. It would be good to have the option to swap it for a different one if it's not quite right.... Dave - 1983 Outrage 22