Re: Should I buy a new boat with a Carburator - Confused and Frustrated
If it were me, and I had the cash, and could wait a bit, I would go for the MPI. Those that shun new technology usually don't understand it, and have no interest in learning. And not for nothing, but EFI isn't exactly new anyway.
How many post's regularly pop up with the TKS carb acting like the piece of EPA restricted do-do that it is? Inversely, how many posts come up where the person ultimately needs a new ECU by no fault of their own? It's not 1980 anymore, computers rarely fail on their own accord. Usually moisture intrusion from a sunken boat, or someone who has no clue how to repair an electrical issue, is what ends up bricking the ECU.
As far as engines lasting longer with FI, think back to when carburetors were the majority on most vehicles. How long did the average engine last before needing a rebuild? If an engine made it over 100K it was some sort of miracle. Look around now. 100K is nothing. What's the difference?
Well... lets say you had a '79 Suburban with a big old wonderful Q-jet perched on the intake of it's 350. You follow the service manual to the book doing regular oil changes, tune-ups, etc. It would probably make it to 100K no problem, maybe even 150K, but I bet it would be getting pretty tired by then. Now let's say you have a '99 Suburban with a CPFI 350. You take care of it in the same way you take care of the '79. 200K, 250K, maybe even 300K fairly easy. What's the magic? Yes there have been a couple of changes in the design of the engine, the rollerized cam being the big one, but still nothing earth shattering. The difference is the fuel injected engine is more precisely metering the fuel into the cylinders, and therefore not washing the oil off the bores of the cylinders with excess fuel.
Now whether or not you realize this potential additional longevity with your boat is subject to how well you take care of the boat, how often you use the boat, and any hardships that the engine may suffer in it's history with you. There are plenty of old carbureted engines out there that haven't been touched, and still run great. The Glastron in my signature is one of them, but then again, that boat only sees 10 to 15 hours of use per year.
As far as catalytic converters, I don't know about boats, but they certainly aren't the devil on cars that most make them out to be. An old school pellet cat from the 70's certainly was an inline restriction, but modern honey comb converters may steal a measly horse or two from the big picture.
What ever you see fit to do is your business. I sure wouldn't hold it against you if you bought the carbed boat. It would certainly serve you many decades with proper care. My only concern is you don't let peoples superstitions, hang-ups, and outdated info influence you too much in your decision.
) Bought a new ski-boat.
