Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

thompsdw

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
75
I recently sold my boat and I am now in the market for a new one. I set my sights on a fuel injected engine versus a carburated engine. I assumed better fuel economy and improved starting to be some of the benefits of this type of engine.<br /><br />I guess what I would like are opionions one way or the other. Are there any benefits to carburation versus fuel injection? What else should I know before my purchase?
 

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

Are you looking for an outboard? There aren't really any downsides to fuel injection that I know of, other than the cost.
 

thompsdw

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
75
Re: Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

Sorry, I should have specified. I am looking for a inboard with stern drive. I guess what I am asking is how much weight should I place on carburation versus fuel injection in the selection of a boat.
 

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. :) One thing to think about, you can't buy a carbureted car anymore. There must be a good reason for that... ;)
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

Fuel onjection motors are proven in the automotive world. I can't speak for boats other than I have a friend who has a pair of 454s in a boat and the fuel injuction has driven him crazy. Very difficult to troubleshoot and very expensive to fix - - very economical on fuel when compared to the carbed version. He ended up replacing the fuel injection with carbs and the hell with the fuel cost - according to him at least he can keep them running.<br /><br />If you were asking the question about outboards - - were I to buy a V6 today I would buy a carbed version. Read bunches of posts on this web site and you will find that all of the major 2 cycle manufacturers have had major problems with the various fuel injection technology. If money were no object I would go to a 4 cycle on the larger motors.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

Hello<br /> I work on these things everyday. some of the fuel injected engines are more trouble than they are worth but I get paid well. if it were my money and I wanted a v8 I would look for one with a rochester 4v and a delco EST ign system. that combo works really well. <br /> Good luck and keep posting
 

loadnet

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Messages
225
Re: Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

I would go Fuel Injected in a heart beat.<br /><br />For many, many years I repaired vehicles that were NOT computer controlled, and cringed when they all started going computerized, but now that I've worked on the newner ones it's so much easier to isolate running problems.<br /><br />Sure it's a learning curve you'll have to either read up if you're planning on doing your own repairs but it's worth the venture in the long run as far as I'm concerned.<br /><br />Many boat owners of Fuel Injected computerized engines put tons of money into their boats by replacing unecessary parts, because they just don't want to do a little step by step testing..<br /><br />If you follow the troubleshooting steps one by one you'll spend much less time and money and be very happy with the outcome.<br /><br />Computerized engine sensors monitor everything these newer engines do today.<br /><br />Make the switch and you'll love how smooth they run, economical and easy to fix.<br /><br />Just buy a good trouble shooting code book, talk to some good I/O mechanics, and you'll be all set.<br /><br />Good luck to you.
 

Doug Durako

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
519
Re: Fuel Injected versus Carburated?

Tx---if you are looking at buying a used boat, search out in Colorado and New Mexico where they run at higher elevations. They all run fuel injected, higher horsepower motors out there and there are good buys to be had.<br /><br />I spent almost a year to find the boat I finally purchased, but I wish I would have searched just a little harder to find one with fuel injection.<br /><br />If you are patient, you can get one for about the same price you would pay for a carbed rig, especially this time of the year.<br /><br />Good luck!
 
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