etec 150 vs optimax 150

[willy]

They are all good motors, if you are insistent on extended range get any one of them to be honest with you. A good running brand new under warranty Yamaha 150 carbed two stroke would far and away be my first choice among the engines you mention. The difference in fuel economy is not that great. If you are going to do like a lot of fellows that have the cash to do it, and buy a new engine before your warranty expires, then I would go with any one of them.
If you are going to keep the motor after the warranty expires I would trade a little fuel economy for the superior reliabilty of the Yamaha 150 carb.
Just my thoughts on it.
As a matter of fact if I can raise the dough, I am planning on selling my 18 year old trouble free Yammie 150 for a new version and selling my current one for some cash to pay for install and some accessories.
Let me know which one of the engines you mention you think you will get 18 to twenty years on, with basically the cost of oil and fuel and the ability to fix any of the much simplar issues that come up, if any come up that is. None have on mine.
Never mind we already know the answer don't we.

[captpete13]

giver the choice between the Opti and Etec I would also go with the Opti. But Willy is on the money there about the carb 150 Yamaha. They are as reliable as they come and will outlast the aluminum that they are made of. I can't count how many really old yamahas that I've seen fall apart from corrosion but still run perfect. But you better hurry,this is the last year for any carbed 2 stroke yamaha.

[willy]

And the years after around 1988 or so are a lot more corrosion resistant, mine has been in the salt its whole life and has zero corrosion on it and it is a 92

[reyb]

Willy,

I hear what you're saying. I really like the idea of reliability and inexpensiveness of the Yamaha 2-stroke. Your '92 V20 probably has a 60gal fuel tank. What kind of range are you getting with your Yamaha? I want range and a motor I don't have to worry about being out of warranty. May be it's all about "If you want to play you gotta pay".

CaptPete,

What are your reasons for the Opti?

[reyb]

Originally Posted by spareparts

I'm not a big fan of them, but have you priced a verado?

Spares your title here is "God" so if you're not a big fan of them then I won't be either :) I believe the Verado is more expensive and heavier so I didn't consider it.

[reyb]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

All 3 motors you mention are 2 strokes...

Yes you are right. I should have made the distinction between a carb 2-stroke and the DFI 2-strokes with respect to their mpg.

[captpete13]

I guess the big reason is that the Etec still carries the FICHT stigma to me. The Opti uses the tried and true 2.5L powerhead that they vastly improved on to get much more fuel economy out of. Fuel pressure is set to 90 psi and is sent to the air injector. Air pressure is set to 80 psi. Then the fuel air mixture is sent into the combustion chamber in an air bubble which supports much better atomization of fuel. Its a great system, once you understand how it works. They also use an automotive style alternator which is much easier to replace in the event of a failure.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by captpete13

I guess the big reason is that the Etec still carries the FICHT stigma to me. The Opti uses the tried and true 2.5L powerhead that they vastly improved on to get much more fuel economy out of. Fuel pressure is set to 90 psi and is sent to the air injector. Air pressure is set to 80 psi. Then the fuel air mixture is sent into the combustion chamber in an air bubble which supports much better atomization of fuel. Its a great system, once you understand how it works. They also use an automotive style alternator which is much easier to replace in the event of a failure.

The ETEC may still carry the FICHT stigma, but to many the OPTIMAX still carries the OPTIPOP stigma that so many of them were known for from 98-02. As for the air injection, I thought it was set to 120-130 depending upon the engine as the air pressure has to be able to overcome the compression in the cylinder to inject the fuel in. MANY of the failures on BOTH the OPTI's and FICHT/ETEC was due to the fact that DFI was a new technology and they didn't know that they needed a special oil for them. This caused alot of air pump failures in the OPTI's and carbon build-up in the FICHT's. They have gotten alot better in recent years though. Have you considered the YAMAHA 150 4 stroke? Everybody says it is a strong 150(almost 175HP) and has a proven track record. If I had the money to buy a new engine now, but new I couldn't afford a new one when the warranty runs out. 4 stroke would definately be my pick to buy. You do have timing belts and such to worry about with them, but it isn't any different then modern cars with small 4 cylinder FWD engines.

[captpete13]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

The ETEC may still carry the FICHT stigma, but to many the OPTIMAX still carries the OPTIPOP stigma that so many of them were known for from 98-02. As for the air injection, I thought it was set to 120-130 depending upon the engine as the air pressure has to be able to overcome the compression in the cylinder to inject the fuel in. MANY of the failures on BOTH the OPTI's and FICHT/ETEC was due to the fact that DFI was a new technology and they didn't know that they needed a special oil for them. This caused alot of air pump failures in the OPTI's and carbon build-up in the FICHT's. They have gotten alot better in recent years though. Have you considered the YAMAHA 150 4 stroke? Everybody says it is a strong 150(almost 175HP) and has a proven track record. If I had the money to buy a new engine now, but new I couldn't afford a new one when the warranty runs out. 4 stroke would definately be my pick to buy. You do have timing belts and such to worry about with them, but it isn't any different then modern cars with small 4 cylinder FWD engines.

I've heard of slang names for just about every motor(sneezuki,yamadog,johnstone,evincrude,etc). I'm sure the Etec is a ok motor. All NJ marine police boats are powered with Etecs. I personally would not buy one because I think of it as a glorified FICHT motor. All Optimax motors run their fuel/air pressures at 90/80 psi,+ or -10psi. I'm not sure about the 250xs opti thats built by the racing division. The f150 is a good motor. I am very suprised with some of the boats I have seen those motors pushing. Timing belts on outboards far outlast the timing belt on cars. Probably because they are tucked up under the cowling not subjected to road grime and oil. I have changed perfectly good timing belts on f225's with almost 2000hours. I also changed a timing belt on a f350(not easy) with only 100 hours. Mostly because the installer of the powerhead put the cam pulley on upside down. Either way they are both easier and cleaner than doing the belt on my VW(which I have also done). I personally prefer 2 stroke over 4 stroke. Newer 2 strokes are almost as fuel efficient are lighter and have instant power.

[spareparts]

my opinion of verados has more to do with the way Brunswick operates rather than than the product itself(all though it is big and heavy). If you have a verado, your are locked into a dealer(gotta have the DTS), and it had better be a good one. There is some aftermarket companies finnaly makeing some support for them.

As far as the Yamaha 150 four stroke, it is an excellent motor, the water taxi here has over 5000 hours on theirs. The only problem with the 150 is they are bringing a premium $$$. If I were going to put a 4 stroke on my V, it would be a 150 Yamaha. BTW, the power head on that motor is a Ford Focus motor, if you ever tear one down, they have Ford logos all over the parts inside, Yamaha builds it for Ford. I have started to see corrosion issues with the oil pans and the powerhead gaskets, it ends up leaking water into the oil and trashing the motor.