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  250 EFI vs. Direct Injection vs. Four Stroke

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Author Topic:   250 EFI vs. Direct Injection vs. Four Stroke
Morro Bay Whaler posted 01-21-2005 01:24 PM ET (US)   Profile for Morro Bay Whaler   Send Email to Morro Bay Whaler  
Which is the best 250-HP motor considering price, reliability, fuel consumption, and noise among:

[2003 Yamaha OX66] EFI $10,000

Two-stroke direct injection $14,000

Four-stroke $15,000

mustang7nh posted 01-21-2005 03:05 PM ET (US)     Profile for mustang7nh  Send Email to mustang7nh     
OX66- best price, best weight, great reliability, tons of power, unless you use your boat hundreds of hours a year difference in fuel economy is not a big issue (just my two cents). I believe the big push behind DI and four strokes were the emissions laws. Outside of this, EFIs, and Carbs for that matter, are not being phased out for reasons of inferiority. In many ways they are arguably equal or superior in a saltwater environment.
John from Madison CT posted 01-21-2005 09:07 PM ET (US)     Profile for John from Madison CT  Send Email to John from Madison CT     
FWIW, the Ox66 is considered the most reliable "high" tech engine out there. Very high customer satisfaction.

For $4K, I'd keep the extra money and use it for gas.

Solid, reliable techonology. Great engine.

aquaman posted 01-27-2005 10:59 PM ET (US)     Profile for aquaman  Send Email to aquaman     
I agree, having owned two of the 250 OX66 EFI's with no problems whatsoever, it is one great motor. Starts first time, fuel economy is OK as long as you don't push it too hard and lot's of power. $4k difference in price will buy more fuel then you could save over the years, with the newer technology, if you are an average boater.
jimh posted 01-27-2005 11:38 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
The lowest price motor is the lowest price motor, that is, the EFI in this case.

The lowest noise motor is probably the four-stroke (at idle speeds), but this difference lessens at higher speeds. It is hard to say if the EFI or the DI motor is the loudest. It really depends on the model. Also, how much attention the manufacturer gave to the noise signature is very important. You cannot make a general statement about noise in this case. My inclination in the EFI will be louder than some DI engines, and about the same as other DI engines.

The lowest fuel consumption motor is probably the four-stroke, although often the direct injection two-stroke motors are their equal. Again the advantage is greatest at lower engine speeds and decreases as engine speed increases. The EFI two-stroke will have the worst fuel consumption.

The lowest rate of failure is difficult to predict, but based on historical data the direct-injection two-stroke engines have had more problems. Four-stroke motors at the 250-HP level have literally no history, so there can be no assessment of reliability based on history. Two-stroke EFI motors have the best historical record for reliability.

It is a rather mixed result.

The EFI is the lowest cost and probably more reliable, yet it is the loudest and has the worst fuel consumption. If you don't mind noise and buying extra gasoline, it is a winner.

LHG posted 01-28-2005 02:44 PM ET (US)     Profile for LHG    
From my extremely limited experience, I can tell you the 4-stroke Verado 250's are the most quiet high HP engine on the market, period. They are great performers, also, from what I experienced. You seem to get what you pay for, a complete re-design of the conventional outboard. If price is of concern to you, the 250 Suzuki 4-stroke, at 13K, might be worth looking in to. From a distance, most people will think you bought a Merc! I'm hearing they are a better 4-stroke than either Yamaha or Honda.

It has also been my experience that an EFI 2-stroke is quieter than a DFI 2-stroke at speed

Peter posted 01-28-2005 03:51 PM ET (US)     Profile for Peter  Send Email to Peter     
Ox66 250 has my vote.

With respect to the comment on EFI vs. DI noise, I think that may only apply to Mercury brands as the Optimax is not known to be a quiet motor at any speed. Much of the noise comes from the air compressor used to atomize the fuel. From my own experience, my BRP 225 Evinrude Fichts are much quieter and much smoother at speed than the stellar 225 Yamaha EFI that I had.

fourdfish posted 01-28-2005 04:53 PM ET (US)     Profile for fourdfish  Send Email to fourdfish     
Most will agree that the older 2 strokes are cheaper than the new 4 strokes or the DI 2 strokes. I also agree that as of now the older 2 strokes still are some of the most reliable motors out there. I have had 5 on a couple of boats for the last 27yrs. Only time will tell if the reliabilty results will change. However I agree with Peter that the Fichts and the new E-TECs are the quietest engines today. I listened to a Honda 200 and a E-TEC 200 practically side by side and everyone at the marina agreed that the E-TEC was not only quieter but had a more pleasing sound. I also listened to a Verado and did not think it was quieter or even much of a difference if any. I also have heard the Optimax and it is not quiet. The magazines testing say the E-TEC has the best overall fuel consumption and that may become far more important with future gas prices. I like the OX66 but numerous other factors not mentioned made me choose the new E-TEC. Just my opinion!
fourdfish posted 01-28-2005 11:12 PM ET (US)     Profile for fourdfish  Send Email to fourdfish     
Jim I believe the historical problem data for th DI 2 strokes is obviously skewed to a certain time frame. That being the late 1990s!
Morro Bay Whaler posted 02-04-2005 11:18 AM ET (US)     Profile for Morro Bay Whaler  Send Email to Morro Bay Whaler     
Thank you for your input. Based upon the responses I received, I bought the Yamaha OX66 250hp. I paid just about 10K with the rigging. The Armstrong Bracket is going to be another $2,600.
John from Madison CT posted 02-05-2005 07:23 AM ET (US)     Profile for John from Madison CT  Send Email to John from Madison CT     
Morra Bay Whaler: Rest assured, you make a great choice. This IS solid proven technology.

John

lakeman posted 02-06-2005 11:19 AM ET (US)     Profile for lakeman  Send Email to lakeman     
I read most post but I did not see any reference to resale. In the growing attitude for 4S engines, any older technology will be a dinasaur when you go to sell it. Now if you plan on keep it for many years the older efi technology might be the way to go.

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