GM 4.3 being discontinued

[jkust]

Did anyone else hear about this? I read recently that they will be discontinued and that because of that, when the new EPA regs take effect, the remaining, new 4.3's will not be subject to them. I wonder what V6 will take its place.

 

[abj87]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Thats for a the auto application they will still make them for the marine application.

 

[jkust]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Thats for a the auto application they will still make them for the marine application.

I would have agreed with you but this article was in a boating magazine in February 09 discussing the upcoming and current California marine engine EPA standards. In the article they passively mentioned the 4.3 marine engine being discontinued as well as the other stuff mentioned up top. I can't seem to find the article but will post a link when I do.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Directly from the Mercruiser web site:

What determines if an engine must be catalyzed?
A mandate from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) stipulates that beginning in 2008 any engine sold in the state must achieve a combined 75 percent reduction in hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. The only way to reach that emissions level is to fit the engines with catalytic converters. Any engine with a manufactured date on or after January 1, 2008, to be sold in the state of California must be catalyzed. The one exception to this rule is 4.3L engines, which are covered by an exemption. Engines sold in California must be CARB-certified. For more information, visit the California Air Resources Board Web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm.

What engines are going to be catalyzed starting January 1, 2008?
Every MerCruiser engine for sale under 500 horsepower in California will be catalyzed - except for the 4.3L and 4.3L MPI, which are covered by an exemption. For more information, visit the California Air Resources Board Web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm.

 

[QC]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

I just read the CARB executive orders (certifications) for both Volvo and Mercruiser . . . Luckily I have had experience searching through these things Basically, both Merc and Volvo certified everything else with a Catalyst(s) and because the emission reductions are so good they covered the 4.3 by applying an average across their entire product line. Very similar to CAFE standards, but emission based instead of fuel economy.

 

[180shabah]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Does this mean we will be going back to inline 6's???

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

I think it means that Mercruiser and VP don't know what to do about a V-6 engine that meets the new standards. In fact it seems they have found a loophole temporarily to allow the current V-6 to be used as is. That is great because it will keep the entry level boat cost way down. However, what happens when the "loophole" is closed or the regs change?

For that matter, as was said earlier...what happens if GM stops supporting the marine market with long blocks all together. Then there are no motors for Inboards or I/Os.

I actually think we will start to see a lot more boats offered with outboards again. I personally would welcome that.

 

[QC]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

This has nothing to do with the 4.3. ALL stoichiometric (neither lean nor rich) spark ignited engines have dramatic emission reductions with the addition of a three way catalyst. Every gasoline car in the US has one. All you need is the catalyst and an O2 sensor. This is only about cost and a loophole, not technology. They can exempt it, so they do . . .

 

[mthieme]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

MD is pushing for CA standards - for cars. Everything else will not be far behind. I believe our current Presidential administration is further on t he green side than ever before too.
I'd hate to see the 4.3 die. It's a great proven design. There are a plethora of other options for autos making it easier to kill it off.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

I'd hate to see GM die but that may happen soon too.

I thought automotive catalytic converters and diesel engine DPF's were expensive, I cant wait too see the price on a marine catalytic converter.

I know the 4.3 is not going away but it's always a sad day when a good engine goes away.
Some of the engines I was sad to see go. Jeep 4.0, Ford 300-6, Ford Windsor V8, Chrysler LA engines, Gen 1 SBC, and many many more I suppose, atleast some of the engines that replace the dead ones are "better" than those they replace, Like the GM LS V8 or Fords Modular V8.

GM's late model inline 6 ? eh, no thanks.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

This has nothing to do with the 4.3.

I wasn't saying they didn't know how to get the emissions down. I guess I was saying they weren't sure how to market a V6 that meets the emissions standards.

The ability to get the exemption on the V6 means that they can still offer a boat with a decent amount of power for a price that is significantly lower than the price of a cat on a V8.

 

[QC]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Agree ^^^^ Sorry if I messed it up . . .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

"I actually think we will start to see a lot more boats offered with outboards again"

I don't know about that. i spoke to a US Marine very high up rep. as to why the new entry level boats were not offered in the outboard catagory. his response, is that mercury does not have and engine that is price in the entry level catagory. it is cheaper for them to put the I/O's in the boats, than to offer the boat with an outboard package. Mercury just does not have a outboard motor for these new boats. that is cost effective to build.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Mercury just does not have a outboard motor for these new boats. that is cost effective to build.

Then it's time to bring back Force!!!! (or not)

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

I think the US Marine/Brunswick example is a little different than the other manufacturers.

I spent quite a bit of time talking to a rep from Glastron (Genmar) at a boat show recently. Take a look at what Glastron is offering as their entry level boat. They are looking at outboards again as being more cost effective. They seem to be pushing E-Rudes as being the CARB compliant motor and Yamaha's as the cheap non California motors.

I think because non Brunswick manufacturers can offer more than just Mercury the situation is quite a bit different for them. What does Mercury have that is CARB compliant? Is the Verado? I doubt the OptiMax is. Are the 4-Strokers CARB compliant?

Well I guess I answered my own questions. The Mercury site has some good info. on this. I may have been wrong in some of my assumptions above.

It looks like outboards are also able to take advantage of the corporate average to use the lower rated motors.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/outboardfaqs/carb.php

 

[jkust]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Then it's time to bring back Force!!!! (or not)

I agree...we still have a 1984 Force and it has defied the odds being the best boat engine we have ever owned. Now I hear that that is not the consensus amongst older Force owners.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: GM 4.3 being discontinued

Actually I think it was the NEWER ones that weren't so hot. Yours, I believe, is still in the rebadged Chrysler years and the Chryslers were pretty good motors.