[THEFERMANATOR]

LOOPERS tend to pull better up high and get slightly better milage. CROSSFLOWS pull good off idle but run out up high. OMC increased the bore on the loopers for 88 due to the lack of bottom end grunt(no replacement for displacement). OMC offered the 1.6L(crossflow) sea-drive all the way up to 89 that I've seen. 1.6L and 2.4L and 2.6L were crossflows, 1.8L 2L 2.7L 3L 3.6L and 4L SEA-DRIVES were loopers.

I personally can attest to the power potential that a small-bore looper can make though. The 19' COBRA bowrider in my sigg has run 53 MPH and was still climbing(but chine walking severely and no steering control). The same boat with a 150HP SUZUKI super six BASS pro edition ran 53 as well, and they were the same engine as a 225HP SUZUKI with a lower gear ratio foot.