What type of engine should I go for?

[Flipside]

What type of engine would you get:
PCM ZR-409 or the PCM Excalibur 343.

Keep in mind the $3k cost differential for the 66 additional HP, and fact that I rarely run at full throttle.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: What type of engine should I go for?

What boat will the engine be in?

What are the activities that you're interested in?

How much ballast will you run?

[Flipside]

RE: What type of engine should I go for?

I have a 2001 - 210. Beginner, and do it all (wake surf, board, ski and of course the biscuit!) I fill the custom ballast for some of my friends who are average which I believe is 700 lbs ballast.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: What type of engine should I go for?

You'll be fine with the Excalibur. I had one (330 HP version) in my '03 210 and it was great.

I have had the ZR6 in my 236 and 230, and it is great for those bigger boats.

[AirTool]

RE: What type of engine should I go for?

Not to stir the pot...but you should have posted an option for the GT-40.

[Flipside]

RE: What type of engine should I go for?

Haven't thrown in the towel yet on the GT40. Going to get second opinion on a repair. Dealer could be trying to screw me into a new engine when all I need is for it to be repaired. All they did was drop the oil and claim that there was water in the oil....

[Mikeski]

RE: What type of engine should I go for?

Fix it and be happy.

If I could trade my Excalibur for a GT-40, I would. The GT-40 is a stronger motor. I have skied behind both BKHallpass's SAN with a GT-40 and Wakejunky's SAN with the Excalibur. The GT40 was running a 13.5x17.5 prop, the Excalibur was running a 13.5 x 16 prop. The start behind the GT40 was significantly quicker even with the taller prop.

You will never ever see a torque curve comparison for these motors. I would expect the GT40 to have significantly more torque in the 1500-2500 range than the Excalibur. On the flip side the Excalibur runs a bit smoother and quieter than the GT40.

Take it to a good mechanic, not the dealer.

[snowboardcorey]

I may have missed it but is there water in the oil due to a cracked block or a blown head gasket?