1989 omc cobra 2.3 vs 3.0 stern drives

[pirate shane]

i am not having to much luck locating a 1989 2.3 omc cobra stern drive that is in decent shape . how ever i am finding plenty of drives off 3.0 liter boats is there a differance and can it be done. without hidden issues later. i have looked in the omc manuals and they do have diffrent model #'s any help would be appreciated thanks

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1989 omc cobra 2.3 vs 3.0 stern drives

overall, they are a different ratio. Some that have tried the swap and then by trying to compensate with prop pitch, have reported not being able to get on plane... but depending on the boat, there might be some possibilities..i.e if it's a lightweight 16 footer....could probably do with a 3.0 drive and lower pitch prop
but if it's an 18 footer...probably not gonna work

Some years of the 2.3 cobra, the upper had unique 2.3 ratio gears, and a lower common with some 3.0s
Other years had a unique 2.3 lower gearing, and employed a 3.0 upper.
if you like math, you might find another combo of uppers and lowers that will work