Those of you with older boats that are not EFI..

[zberger]

Have any of you thought of possibly converting to a TPI or FI system, to eliminate some of the associated problems?

Some of the newer kits would be pretty easy to adapt to such a motor.. not sure if you need a catalyst with those, but i can't say most of them require that.

[BriEOD]

The problem I see with that is you better really like your boat. You'll never get the money back out of an upgrade like that.

[BrianM]

From what I have read on other car forums most of the FI conversions (Holley and others) do not perform all that well. They are more of a step between a true EFI and a carb. It also seems that they have their own sets of unique problems. I wouldn't switch out my carb as mine has almost 500 hours without a rebuild and still runs like a champ. If it starts to give me issues I will have a profesional rebuild done for somewhere around $300 and be set. Those conversions are spendy and I don't think they eliminate enough problems to be worth it. If you take care of a carb it should give years of nearly trouble free service and when you do have an issue there is tons of info out there on our particular carbs. I think with these older boats it is better to keep it simple. If you want EFI I would sell and upgrade to a '94 or newer boat.:twocents:

[zberger]

The problem I see with that is you better really like your boat. You'll never get the money back out of an upgrade like that.

I guess I would have to do some more research into the actual cost of such an upgrade, just not sure anyone has brought it up ever.

[BriEOD]

I'm with BrianM my Holley 4160 does just fine. Eventually I want to upgrade to a "newer" boat and I'm probably already going to lose out somewhat so I don't want to be any further in the hole.

[jake]

I was considering the same thing a few weeks ago. Holly has a marine pro-jection kit that appears to be a do-it-yourself type install for $879. However, the consensus I got from others who know more about this type of thing that me, is that these cheap pro-jection systems will probably not perform any better than a carb that is even halfway tuned. It seems you have to step up to one of the high end systems for the conversion to be worth while, and then you're talking about a $2-4k project. At that point, you're probably better off selling the boat and buying a newer one that already has EFI.

A friend of a friend who knows carbs was out with us a couple weeks ago, and he very quickly tuned my carb and it's been running like a champ since. Easy starts, no hot-stalls. The first start of the day I have to give it two or three full pumps, but after that its turn-key starts even after it's been sitting for a couple hours. It's 12 years old and has never been rebuilt. I think I'll re-build it this fall, and I anticipate even better performance then. Point is, a little maintainence on your carb seems to be the better alternative than an EFI conversion, unless you absolutly love your boat and want to put the $2-4k into it.

[east tx skier]

I have always joked that when my current motor is kaput, I'll buy one of those sweet mpi gt40s in skidim and blow doors. But until then, I'll trust my local inboard mechanic who said exactly what everyone else on here has already said. If you want fuel injection, buy a newer boat that already has it.

As for my boat, with the new carb, it starts really easy, runs great, and doesn't seem to drink the gas any worse than a newer fuel injected boat that's pounding out quite a few more horses. So I'm sticking with what I got until it stops working for me.

Seems like the I want a newer boat bug is going around. Good luck with that. ;)

[zberger]

I have always joked that when my current motor is kaput, I'll buy one of those sweet mpi gt40s in skidim and blow doors. But until then, I'll trust my local inboard mechanic who said exactly what everyone else on here has already said. If you want fuel injection, buy a newer boat that already has it.

As for my boat, with the new carb, it starts really easy, runs great, and doesn't seem to drink the gas any worse than a newer fuel injected boat that's pounding out quite a few more horses. So I'm sticking with what I got until it stops working for me.

Seems like the I want a newer boat bug is going around. Good luck with that. ;)

Yeah, I was just thinking about that this weekend, buddy of mine and i were conversing about it.

[redmike]

:twocents: : helped a friend do a holley fi version on his mud bogger jeep last year: after 2 months of "tuning" he took it off and we rebuilt his old holley: after more reasearch, the conversion kits don't have all of the inputs the factory ones do (air flow/oxegan sensors, etc) so, they don't work nearly as good. the Jeep would run good at some points, and terrible at others. So, in conclusion, unless it is a $$$$ system, you will be happier with your good old carb.

[zberger]

:twocents: : helped a friend do a holley fi version on his mud bogger jeep last year: after 2 months of "tuning" he took it off and we rebuilt his old holley: after more reasearch, the conversion kits don't have all of the inputs the factory ones do (air flow/oxegan sensors, etc) so, they don't work nearly as good. the Jeep would run good at some points, and terrible at others. So, in conclusion, unless it is a $$$$ system, you will be happier with your good old carb.

Yeah.. thats kind of what i am hearing.. Just a thought, thanks for the input.

I also have a buddy who knows alot about carbs.. by the time I have a boat, they'll be some crazy new fuel.

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Have any of you thought of possibly converting to a TPI or FI system, to eliminate some of the associated problems?

Some of the newer kits would be pretty easy to adapt to such a motor.. not sure if you need a catalyst with those, but i can't say most of them require that.
We've had success with a fi conversion (in a vehicle, two different subjects, boat vs. truck). If I had too much trouble with the carb I would consider it. It would probably depend if you could do the tuning on the carb yourself or not. It may depend also if you change altitudes regularly. There is alot more to the systems that just changing out an intake. Last I checked, there were companied working on complete changeout engines with everything needed to do it. Not just and fi conversion, but complete engine swap with efi. Not sure how far along the technology with it has come, but I would think if you are happy with the boat in general, and don't want to put up the huge dough on a new(er) one, it may pay off if you intend to keep it a long time. Just my 2Cents.

[east tx skier]

:twocents: : helped a friend do a holley fi version on his mud bogger jeep last year: after 2 months of "tuning" he took it off and we rebuilt his old holley: after more reasearch, the conversion kits don't have all of the inputs the factory ones do (air flow/oxegan sensors, etc) so, they don't work nearly as good. the Jeep would run good at some points, and terrible at others. So, in conclusion, unless it is a $$$$ system, you will be happier with your good old carb.

I meant to mention that for the right amount of $$$, you could probably get something custom built that would be pretty sweet. I have a friend who rebuilt an Intl Scout and had a custom FI kit installed for rock climbing. He swears it's the best money he's ever spent. I laugh when he says that because he's got a Nautique. My priorities are different.

[redmike]

I do agree that it could be done, I just don't think that on of the "kits" would be that much of an advantage if at all. the best conversions I have seen are using all stock parts/ or one of the high dollar custom installs. The technology has gotten better in the last couple of years, but have helped a few people remove the holley kits from thier rigs to put back on a good carb. for my $$$$, rebuild the old one/ buy a GOOD new marine one!!!!

[Cloaked]

No problems here with carburetion. :steering:

[ski_king]

Carburetors can be are relaible and inexpensive in my opinion. I have 23 years on the same carburetor with one rebuild.

My next boat will probobly have FI, but I won't pass up on a good carbed boat.

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Carburetors can be are relaible and inexpensive in my opinion. I have 23 years on the same carburetor with one rebuild.

My next boat will probobly have FI, but I won't pass up on a good carbed boat.

Personnally, I would like to use a carb. in race cars, snowmobiles (although I am in process of considering an EFI as I write), motorcycles, race boats or anything else that could and should be manipulated to get the most out of it for that particular application and/or event.
When I think of ski boats, daily driven vehicles, off road vehicles, and anything else I need consistency, I think EFI.

When I converted my Jeep from Carb. to EFI, It was the best investment I had made "At that time, on that particular Toy".

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Sure EFI has its advantages, but I dont mind the carb at all. Its not like its a pure hell existence having a carbed engine on a boat. I know EFI is more consistent and supposed to be more reliable... but carbs are not as bad as people make them out to be.

Plus, There is something to be said for the more simplistic setup on teh older boats. Guys like myself can work on them. I have a buddy that is a skilled mechanic(and a boat nut) and he rebuilt and setup my carb for me. With a little tweaking one evening, she runs like a champ! Now my expereince with carbs is, every single one is different. They are unique, you have to treat them as such. You need to spend time and learn your carbs quirks. Once you do, its pretty good. some people dont have patience for this. I got a pretty good handle on what my carbs quirks are and I know how to make it perform its best. Knowing how many pumps to give it, etc.... It runs well. Sure, EFI is great, but for the budget I have chosen to operate it, carbs are not then end of the world. They can be a bit finicky, but its life. If my truck died on me, I woulndt know WHERE to begin since is so complicated. but if my boat konks out on me, I at least have a chance and can do most of the work myself. :twocents:

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Sure EFI has its advantages, but I dont mind the carb at all. Its not like its a pure hell existence having a carbed engine on a boat. I know EFI is more consistent and supposed to be more reliable... but carbs are not as bad as people make them out to be.

Plus, There is something to be said for the more simplistic setup on teh older boats. Guys like myself can work on them. I have a buddy that is a skilled mechanic(and a boat nut) and he rebuilt and setup my carb for me. With a little tweaking one evening, she runs like a champ! Now my expereince with carbs is, every single one is different. They are unique, you have to treat them as such. You need to spend time and learn your carbs quirks. Once you do, its pretty good. some people dont have patience for this. I got a pretty good handle on what my carbs quirks are and I know how to make it perform its best. Knowing how many pumps to give it, etc.... It runs well. Sure, EFI is great, but for the budget I have chosen to operate it, carbs are not then end of the world. They can be a bit finicky, but its life. If my truck died on me, I woulndt know WHERE to begin since is so complicated. but if my boat konks out on me, I at least have a chance and can do most of the work myself. :twocents:

I didn't mean to start a carb/efi war :) . I had this same argument a few too many times on both sides of the fence :uglyhamme . There are no winners, only frustrated players. :o
I have EFI and/or carbs for the applications that best suit my needs.

[east tx skier]

Happens every time. :)

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

....a long time ago, in a garage far, far away....
CARB
WARS