4.3L running costs (1800)

[Argonaut]

I have an 1800SR3 and it's going to be some time before I can put it in the water. (Hopefully April)

Be interested to know what the typical fuel running costs are likely to be, my use will be mixed ... kneeboarding, skiing, tubing ... 4 on-board, not likley to be doing any cruising.

Would welcome any input from owners on galls per hour consumption or similar.

[gezy]

who fits the gas cons then?.i be up for that

[tglee]

Originally Posted by gezy

who fits the gas cons then?.i be up for that

Am I the only one who needs a English to American translator?

I love you gezy, I just don't always understand what you mean.

[Brit Rider]

I've got the MPI which is a little better on fuel but in a 3-4 hour session we'll get through about 1/3rd of a tank - seemed pretty similar in our old maxum with the carb engine.

[Argonaut]

Originally Posted by gezy

who fits the gas cons then?.i be up for that

If you Google ... there are many approved LPG installers out there, the engine mod is minimal, just an injector plate under the carb .. on a carb model.

The issue is tanks, and where do you put them.

On cars Volvo & Ford now offer dual fuel and have a built in LPG tank, for boats it would be easy to build in a 2nd under deck LPG tank at time of construction .. but as an after fit not so easy to hide the tanks.


(TGLE - Feel free to comment about my English ... I'm not English so that is my excuse)

[Argonaut]

Originally Posted by Brit Rider

I've got the MPI which is a little better on fuel but in a 3-4 hour session we'll get through about 1/3rd of a tank - seemed pretty similar in our old maxum with the carb engine.

Interesting .. my dealer was/is adamant tha the MPI is worse on fuel, they state that the only way Mercury get more HP out of same block is to get teh MPI to squirt in more fuel .. and hence higher consumption.

[tglee]

(TGLE - Feel free to comment about my English ... I'm not English so that is my excuse)

I was attempting to make a joke. I think there may be a problem with my comprehension ability as well as my comedic ability.

[Argonaut]

Originally Posted by tglee

I was attempting to make a joke. I think there may be a problem with my comprehension ability as well as my comedic ability.

I did accept it as such as well .......

[gezy]

Originally Posted by tglee

Am I the only one who needs a English to American translator?

I love you gezy, I just don't always understand what you mean.

ops: gas conversion .. SORRY

[gezy]

anyway i got the room to put lpg tanks in mine.so i be looking in to it.

:wink:

[racer2c]

I've ran hard wake boarding for 6 hours (constant hole shots) and used 3/4's of a tank. Not bad but it still takes $80 US to fill it. I don't want to hear what you guys across the pond pay. :?

[seapuppy]

80
bucks to fill up??...man...I haven't seen 80 bucks in 5 yrs!!!...mine costs about 250 bucks to fill....don't ask how I know!!.. :shock:

[Argonaut]

Well way the US economy is going, and combined with continually increasing oil prices, we may see some effort by Ford &GM, to make lightweight efficient engines, and this would migrate to Mercruiser.
They have enormous R&D capability.

4.3 & 5.7L engines are pretty rare for cars in Europe, 1.8 or 2 Litre being the norm, even for Ford & GM.

The Mercruiser V6 or V8 block is a pretty old design, I know it's well proven, but there are now much more fuel efficient lighter weight power packs. ... 40 years of design evolution I guess.

Look how much power a ROTAX engine packs into a small light weight unit ... works in microlight and jet boats.

I posted separately that Yanmar is now selling the really compact BMW 2 litre turbo diesel coupled with a Mercruiser outdrive as a really neat option.
Mastercraft now sell this as an option on their waterski boats.



Maybe the future is not a Chevvy small block ?

[seapuppy]

ya can't beat cubic inches....

[Brit Rider]

yes you can! :P hehe