etec 150 vs optimax 150

[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.

[captpete13]

I have also seen the ford logos on the cams and some other internal components but I never heard it was a Focus motor. To my understanding the only motor that the folks at Yamaha ever admitted to making was the early Taurus SHO motor. Thats kinda like when people say the 130 Honda is a Civic motor. It's not,trust me. Just shared technology.

[spareparts]

thats what they told me at Yamaha school, I imagine the block is a different casting to accomodate the verticle arrangement, but the basic design is based on the Focus motor

[THEFERMANATOR]

It's not much different than the 140 SUZUKI. It is nothing more than an old SUZUKI SAMURI engine marinized. Learned that one from when they first came out. The local dealer had one that failed on it's first start, spun a rod bearing. SUZUKI paid for a completely new engine and had him fix the old one. When he went to order parts for it he found out that SUZUKI didn't list bearings in undersizes yet, so he went to NAPA and ordered ones for a SAMURI. Low and behold the SAMURI bearings were the same part number as the marine ones except they had an extra 3 digit code at the end of them.

[captpete13]

Originally Posted by spareparts

thats what they told me at Yamaha school, I imagine the block is a different casting to accomodate the verticle arrangement, but the basic design is based on the Focus motor

Thats cool. I went to Yamaha school too. This past January in Atlanta. They never mentioned anything like that. But then again I never asked. You learn something new every day.
Ferm I can understand what your saying but there is no way any Suzuki Samari ever even came close to making 140hp.

[reyb]

"Have you considered the YAMAHA 150 4 stroke?"

I haven't only because it's a heavier motor than the DF140. I don't need hole shots or high top speed. If money wasn't that much of an issue, then I would get the DF140. I may still get it but my decision making gets clouded when I see 150 Optimax's and Etecs for $8500, whereas the DF140 would probably be at least a grand more.