best eng io for boat

[richardk5457]

currently have a 488 eng 4 cyl fwc,alpha 1 io, would like to replace with recommendations from ya'all thank you richard

[macojoe]

Just saying welcome to the site!!

As for the motor, I am a OB guy and say use the I/O for a mooring.

[regidog]

350 chevy throttle body FI, bravo drive

[nipper]

I have a 4.3 litre Chevy vortec (190 h.p.) on mine and like it. It provides plenty of speed and power with good fuel economy.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by regidog

350 chevy throttle body FI, bravo drive

Overkill in every sense of the word in my opinion. The V-20 is no where near heavy enough to even consider a BRAVO, and it's power loss due to it's size. Nor does it need that kind of power. I believe CTT has an old 260 flywheel rated 350 in his, and said he NEVER opens it up. IIRC he said he's hit 50 with plenty left in it still left to go. If your thinking economy and value, I think a 3.0L I/O would work out nicely. They sip fuel, lightweight, and are 135HP propshaft rated(about 150HP flywheel rating). I don't see any reason why it wouldn't push a V-20 satisfactorily, and still get 5 MPG(some here get even better out of the old straight 6 CHEVY). My second choice would be a 4.3L with an ALPHA 1 outdrive as far as new goes. For older iron keep what you have and freshen her up.

[spareparts]

whats wrong with the 488? Any option is going to be expensive. If you are going to do a complete repower, look at the 135 hp mercruiser(Isuzu) 1.6 diesel. If your 488 is junk, mercruiser reman has replacement long blocks, you could rebuild what you have, but beware, parts for those engines are getting scarce. 4.3 would be the logical choice, simular weight, simular hp, uses the same gear ratio in the drive. If my V was an I/O, it would have a 5.7 in it( i have a couple rebuildable cores laying around)

[garagenc]

Thats what I have in one of my V's is a 350 = 5.7, has plenty of HP and speed but gets anywhere between 3.5 and 4.3 mi per gal.