Which Engine in New 230?

[newNautique]

What engine is typically recommended for the 230? Naturally my gut says nothing smaller than the ZR6 409 for a boat that size that will be loaded with 10+ people, but is it really necessary and the best choice? How does the smaller option perform comparatively?

Much appreciated!

[CCWakerider]

230 Engine

We tried out the 5.7L343hp, and the 6.0L 390hp, and now have the 6.0L409hp ..... 409hp only way with all the weight. If only 2 - 4 people all the time, then 5.7L is adequate without extra ballast other than factory.

2008 230 SAN
2010 230 SAN

[swc5150]

ZR6 for sure...

[kevfran99]

after weighting my 210 with the 5.7 I would NEVER have a 230 without the ZR6 motor!

[BKinSoCal]

ZR6 for sure. I had the 5.7 in my 210 and when loaded with people and ballast, it was more sluggish than my 230 with the ZR6 with more people and more ballast.

[TRO]

my 390HP ZR-6 is a little sluggish in my 230 when i have a lot of additional weight in the boat.

if you are wanting to add a lot of weight to wakesurf, i can't even imagine having the 5.7L - seems like it wouldn't even move when loaded to the max.

[tdc_worm]

Excal torque curve:
http://www.gm.com/vehicles/innovatio...700_Marine.pdf

ZR6 torque curve:
http://www.gm.com/vehicles/innovatio...700_Marine.pdf

if you are using your boat for wakeboarding you likely wont ever be above 3600 rpms...that is where my my 230 runs with 3k extra ballast, 6 people, and a rider being towed at 26.2 mph. according to those torque curves, both engines will make about the same torque from 3k-3.5k rpms.

i have run 220s and 230s with both engines. i cant tell a difference...they both run like pigs when loaded and running the stock prop. put a power prop on for $400 and save yourself $5600 for the Zr6 markup. you sure as heck arent getting that $$$ back on resale.

but dont listen to me. listen to CC. you are likely buying a CC because you believe in what CC does and how they do it...and you are willing to pay the premium to be part of this club. so if you got that part right, do you really think CC would option a boat with an under performing, under inspiring engine that would leave you with a sour taste in your mouth?


****on those torque curves above, those are the blocks that Indmar, PCM, Merc, etc use to "build" their engines. they may add different computer mapping and/or cams, etc but they dont build the engines from scratch...****

[shag]

I have the 343, and with factory ballast, a little extra weight, and a boat load of people (7-8), my 230 gets out fine. I do have the power prop, which I am sure makes a difference. I can't see spending the extra 5K for 60 extra horses. I also would rather have a straight seawater cooled engine. I know that aluminum has to run hotter, but my gut tells me heat breaks things down quicker - namely oil. Not a big deal to most. The 409 runs hotter.
Bottom line, I am happy with my 343, and I saved $$$$.

[AirTool]

put a power prop on for $400 and save yourself $5600 for the Zr6 markup. you sure as heck arent getting that $$$ back on resale.

I agree.

[TRO]

do the team editions come with power props?

[AirTool]

Excal torque curve:
http://www.gm.com/vehicles/innovatio...700_Marine.pdf

ZR6 torque curve:
http://www.gm.com/vehicles/innovatio...700_Marine.pdf

****on those torque curves above, those are the blocks that Indmar, PCM, Merc, etc use to "build" their engines. they may add different computer mapping and/or cams, etc but they dont build the engines from scratch...****

Postscript to all: Those hp and torque curves are generated at WIDE OPEN THROTTLE and steady state conditions (fully loaded / no change in rpm). That means they load the engine some, open the throttle all the way, and vary the load to control the speed. They document the load, measure the torque, and calculate the horsepower. So, when the engine is in actual service, the op instead varies the throttle to match the load. In boats like ours, these loads are considerably less than shown on the torque curve. You can basically sketch in a family of curves to match %WOT. For these two engines, as the throttle is less open, the curves will be even closer together. The torque peaks might be a little different. But in either case, I suspect both of these engines are loafing when at a steady speed. Accelerating from a dead stop with a bunch of peeps and ballast is a different story. In the latter condition, both of these engines are likely inadequate. Good thing you are not at that condition for very long. (The solution is a two speed transmission.)

[newNautique]

i have run 220s and 230s with both engines. i cant tell a difference...they both run like pigs when loaded and running the stock prop. put a power prop on for $400 and save yourself $5600 for the Zr6 markup. you sure as heck arent getting that $$$ back on resale.

Any particular power prop you would recommend for a 230?

Just out of curiosity, would a similar power prop make any noticable difference on the zr6 to offer even better performance when really weighted down?


Thanks for all of the responses!

[tdc_worm]

I have the 343, and with factory ballast, a little extra weight, and a boat load of people (7-8), my 230 gets out fine. I do have the power prop, which I am sure makes a difference. I can't see spending the extra 5K for 60 extra horses. I also would rather have a straight seawater cooled engine. I know that aluminum has to run hotter, but my gut tells me heat breaks things down quicker - namely oil. Not a big deal to most. The 409 runs hotter.
Bottom line, I am happy with my 343, and I saved $$$$.

not necessarily true. both blocks are cast iron with the Zr6 having aluminum heads. the temperature of the engine is managed by the cooling system, not by the material of any particular component of the engine. if your argument held true, then both engines would use different thermostats. it is my understanding that they both use 160 degree t-stats.

aluminum has an increased ability to dissipate heat, and some argue that aluminum heads can tolerate higher compression ratios....

as for the 40 extra hp...that is happening above the range where we use our engines. torque is a more important figure. also remember that PCM tells you that your max cruising speed is at 4000 rpms...

Any particular power prop you would recommend for a 230?

Just out of curiosity, would a similar power prop make any noticable difference on the zr6 to offer even better performance when really weighted down?


Thanks for all of the responses!

1234/1235 for acme
475 for OJ

I have used both and prefer the OJ

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...6-236-230-prop...

[swc5150]

put a power prop on for $400 and save yourself $5600 for the Zr6 markup. you sure as heck arent getting that $$$ back on resale.

You could be right on recouping the money. I'm not sure, as I'm an SN guy, but it seems like every post for someone looking for a used 230 wants a ZR in it.

[kevfran99]

If your going to spend 80K+ why would you not spend the the extra 5K for the bigger engine???!!!!!

I would say that you wouldn't get it back in resale if it were a 210 or 220 but the 230 It would seem to make a big difference. As stated before I had the power prop on mine and when loaded down it just wasn't enough. yeah sure three four people no ballast it was fine, but I won't have the smaller motor again, especially when I buy a 230!