Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

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Stupidhead

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I have a 2001 crownline with a Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E. This is a 2003 engine that has problems. I am wanting to buy a reman. Or new "base" engine and reuse all the accessories. I want to make it as stock as possible by reusing the existing intake setup. Are there any issues with this plan as far as engine control or will this basically be plug and play? I am fairly handy having built a couple of aircraft and doing most of my own wrenching on all my vehicles. I have read so many posts that I have completely confused myself about this. Any help is appreciated.
 
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Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

Stupidhead said:
I have a 2001 crownline with a Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E. This is a 2003 engine that has problems. I am wanting to buy a reman. Or new "base" engine and reuse all the accessories. I want to make it as stock as possible by reusing the existing intake setup. Are there any issues with this plan as far as engine control or will this basically be plug and play? I am fairly handy having built a couple of aircraft and doing most of my own wrenching on all my vehicles. I have read so many posts that I have completely confused myself about this. Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... What sorta Problems is this motor havin',..??

If it's Problems are bein' caused by the accessories, swappin' 'em to a new long block, will bring the problems to the new motor,....

That's why Diagnosis is the Biggest part of fixin' boats,....
 
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Stupidhead

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

Bondo said:
Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... What sorta Problems is this motor havin',..??

If it's Problems are bein' caused by the accessories, swappin' 'em to a new long block, will bring the problems to the new motor,....

That's why Diagnosis is the Biggest part of fixin' boats,....
Click to expand...

Bondo,
Thanks for the reply. The problem is not the accessories. I bought this boat this past summer. Wasn't able to do a proper prebuy but did test run boat on water. Took chance and bought it. Turns out it wouldn't make power when boat was loaded. When boat was light it would do fine. Originally thought it might need repropping but it didn't take long for the gremlins to start showing up. Starboard manifold had crack and was spraying water into bilge. Removed manifold to find significant rust around exhaust ports. Not looking too good at this point. Pulled heads and found extreme pitting in rear two cylinders on starboard side. Intake manifold, risers, and exhaust manifold had significant internal rust. Obviously boat had been run in salt and not properly taken care of. Amazing it ran at all. Anyway, my fault for not doing proper prebuy.

All systems appeared to work properly including charging system, cooling and various sensors. I would like to buy a new long block and put it all back together. Will be cleaning and powder coating all misc. brackets, mounts, etc. my main concern is will there be any issues with using a long block 305.(i.e. does the ECM care if there is a new block?

Alan
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

Stupidhead said:
Bondo,
Thanks for the reply. The problem is not the accessories. I bought this boat this past summer. Wasn't able to do a proper prebuy but did test run boat on water. Took chance and bought it. Turns out it wouldn't make power when boat was loaded. When boat was light it would do fine. Originally thought it might need repropping but it didn't take long for the gremlins to start showing up. Starboard manifold had crack and was spraying water into bilge. Removed manifold to find significant rust around exhaust ports. Not looking too good at this point. Pulled heads and found extreme pitting in rear two cylinders on starboard side. Intake manifold, risers, and exhaust manifold had significant internal rust. Obviously boat had been run in salt and not properly taken care of. Amazing it ran at all. Anyway, my fault for not doing proper prebuy.

All systems appeared to work properly including charging system, cooling and various sensors. I would like to buy a new long block and put it all back together. Will be cleaning and powder coating all misc. brackets, mounts, etc. my main concern is will there be any issues with using a long block 305.(i.e. does the ECM care if there is a new block?

Alan
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... The Ecm won't care, but a drop in power is not a long block failure symptom,...
Exhaust manifolds, the intake manifold, 'n 'bout everything you mentioned,... are Accessories,...

A lack of fuel is a greater possibility,... or failin' induction system in general,...

Have ya done a compression test on the cylinders,..??
 
Walt T

Walt T

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

I think he's already pulled the heads. How big of a boat are we talking about? Bondos point about accessories should not be ignored especially the manifolds and risers. Intake and exhaust are kinda important. Look at 5.7 long blocks for replacement.
 
gbeltran

gbeltran

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

Walt T said:
I think he's already pulled the heads. How big of a boat are we talking about? Bondos point about accessories should not be ignored especially the manifolds and risers. Intake and exhaust are kinda important. Look at 5.7 long blocks for replacement.
Click to expand...

A bigger engine will obviously make more power, however if he goes that route and uses the 5.0 stuff the engine wont have the correct fuel map in the ECM. It'll run, but not right. Probably not an much of and issue at idle/low speeds, but at hight speed wont get the proper amount of fuel.
 
gbeltran

gbeltran

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Tail_Gunner

Tail_Gunner

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

gbeltran said:
Good call. That ECM flash is a lot cheaper than I remember........
Click to expand...


Well there are a few more bridge's to cross..does this motor run tbi or mpi...does it use a mefi ecu..which it should but that's a wag
 
Walt T

Walt T

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

My engines run mofo ecu's. It's an interesting map. No seriously yeah you can get ECMs flashed with custom programs now and have them changed to adapt to whats actually happening on the water. Or go the Holley route custom fuel injection. Kinda pricey though. I've seen some guys say screw it and change it all over to carbureted. Whatever floats your boat. I do like new technology if only for the challenge of making it work right but fuel economy wise it only makes a small difference. HP wise I think it's quite a bit more ponies. Throttle response wise it's awesome. Turn key starts ... usually. I have heard the 5.7 will run pretty good on the 5.0 ecu. I wouldn't know though. As far as the 383, Ive done TBI ones that ran great but not multiport fuel injection. I'd love to try it.
 
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crussell85

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Re: Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E Swap

if the exhaust manifold(s) are cracked you may want to further inspect everything, (intake manifold, oil coolers, etc.) for cracks. Its possible this boat wasn't winterized correctly thus causing cracks from freezing. Buying a 305 long block may or may not fix your troubles. Without further investigation of where the initial problem lies a new engine is a large gamble.

Can you post up some pictures of the "pitting" of the pistons? Depending on how serious the "pitting" is this could have been caused from detonation or a hard part getting into the cylinder and beating things up. Is the pitting on the cylinder head also?

If the block, cylinder heads, crank, and rods check out a rebuild will be far less cheaper than buying a reman long block. Depending on the shape of the cylinder walls you may be able to get away with just replacing the damaged piston(s) and the damaged exhaust manifold(s). But again like stated in a previous post you need to find out the initial cause of these failures.
 
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