Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

[treeguyus]

I have a 1994 Lund Pro V, by age was engineered before the 4 stroke. Consquently it is properly matched with a 90 HP Mercury two stroke that weighs 288#. I would like to keep the boat as I like the floor plan as I have put a lot of rigging to my liking. To keep the weight close looking at a couple of options: Mind you the 90 hp Mercury 2 cycle idles good and top end is decent at 31 mph. But a time will come to look at one of the following;

1) 90 E tec
2) 90 Optimax
3) Rebuilding the current engine for $2400.00

The weights on the four strokes are 65# to a 100# heavier. I did have a kicker on it but removed as I did not like the additional off center weight when back trolling. The boat is used 100% for fishing.

what would you do in this situation thanks always for your help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

A Pro-V can handle any engine, two or four stroke, up to the maximum HP on the tag. Any of the engines you list are fine as would be a 115 in a four-stroke from Yammy, Suzy or Merc. Yes -- the four-srorkes are heavier and are a little short on the low end grunt and top end speed of an equivalent two-stroke which is why I suggested the 115 just to keep similar performance. A new power head for the 90 Merc would be my choice. They are a good motor and if you are happy with the performance, why risk unhappiness (expensive unhappiness).

 

[tazrig]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

My vote would be for the re-build if you are happy with the motor. Mercury Marine (see below video) has a great re-manufacturing facility where they basically take your old block and completely tear it down. Then they either bring the parts back to factory spec or replace them with new. I just bought 2 350 mag mpi's from their program (I realize your looking at an outboard but they do the same for outboards) and they look and run as new. From time to time they even give you a 3 year warranty with them. You're basically getting a complete new power head for the price of a rebuild.

Mercury Remanufacturing - Outboard Products - YouTube

 

[limitout]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

if the motor you have now still runs great then rebuild it and it will be like a new motor again, that's always going to be the best solution.

the question is like asking us which girl you should dance with only you know what you like but yes IMHO 4 strokes are much better, quieter, and cheaper to operate so that's the next motor you should buy but that's IF you need to buy one

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

+1 on the rebuild. You can work on your engine. Hard to say on the new ones. Lots of computer controlled do-dads that have sensors and all, each one being a potential failure mechanism.

I have a new truck with all the whistles and bells and bought a badge from the nearest dealer which is a small town, family owned business of 45 years, with a metroplex full of competition 30 miles away. He knows how to take care of his customers and has a big repeat purchase following. I don't even know where a Merc dealer is located in N. TX. including the Dallas FT-Worth area. Working on my outboard is one thing. Truck is quite another.

I have an '02 version of that engine and it will be around as long as I am. When you look out there and see '50's and '60's engines still banging away, yours isn't even broken in; mines not.

HTH,
Mark

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

the mercury 90hp 2 stroke is far better than the newer 4 stroke in many ways.
average fuel consumption is a bit misleading with 4 strokes, iknow a fella who took in is 10 year old 90 merc and came out with a brand new 4 stroke merc 90.
he tells me it was the worst thing he ever done, and tried to buy his old engine back, but the dealer sold it same day.
the 4 stroke is NO better on average for fuekl consumption and is a lot lot heavier and slower to plane.
to keeo his average cruise speed he needs to open up the 4 stroke a lot more, this kills the fuel economy.
he said the 4 stroke is a lot quieter when at idle and very slow running, but again not so much at cruising speed as it needs to be so much higher in the rev range to keep his 30mph cruise average.

he has sold the 4 stroke and looking around for a good 90 2 stroke again, he says the boat deserves to have what it originaly had, nice crisp engine that planed fast and cruised good.
so unless you want to do a lot of slow running then stick to the 2 stroke and rebuild it, it will last for a long long time if done well.



phill

 

[robert graham]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

I wouldn't even worry about a good, clean, well-maintained older carbed 2stroke outboard....it may well run for years without any major issues....these motors rarely wear out, but more likely some catastrophic failure due to contaminated fuel/plugged carb jets/lean fuel mixture/burned pistons....Run it and enjoy it!....Install a fuel/water separator, drain the carbs, stabilize fuel with Stabil/Seafoam.....

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

A new direct injected 2 stroke (etec or Optimax) will out perform your old carb motor in ways you can't even imagine. From instant starts and no smoke to killer hole shot and top end. Not to mention the 30% better fuel economy and in some cases up to 5 years of warranty. No way would I rebuild you're old carb motor if you think you may want to re power.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

The Etec 90 and 115 are 320 lbs. No break in period, no service for 3 years or 300 hours.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

A new Etec would be my choice. Even with a rebuilt powerhead, everything else is still old. The warranty would be nice too. More money, but to me it would be worth it..JMHO..

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: Looking Down the Road At Repowering: 90 E tec, Optimax, Or Rebuild Current Engine

The Etec 90 and 115 are 320 lbs. No break in period, no service for 3 years or 300 hours. and no break in period.

Now go read the small print of the warranty of the e-tec engines and you might get a shock.
the 3 year no service is a very misleading quote from BRP,