Any SN advice will help!

[kateye57]

I am looking to buy a quality ski boat that I can put a fly high pole on for my son to wakeboard. My price range has me looking at the 90-96 SN and 91-96 MC. I am partial to Fords. A 96 SN with a Pro Boss GT-40 is that fuel injected? Which SN engine is the considered the best and most reliable? When did SN start using fuel injected engines and building there boats all fiberglass? I have owned an older MC so I know about them. Just exploring all options looking for reasons to buy a Ski Nautique. Any advice will help and be greatly appriciated.

[skinautique]

RE: Any SN advice will help!

The 96 was offered with the GT-40 engine which is Multi-port fuel injected. The GT-40 came about in 1995 and was used through the middle of 2002 when Ford stopped supplying a marine block. You will not find a Ford in most of the newer MC's that you are looking at. They stopped using Ford in the late 80's or very early 90's. Nautique starting using fuel injection in 1994 and 100% fiberglass construction started in 1992. Resale is a big plus with the Nautiques and the reliability of them.

[SGY]

RE: Any SN advice will help!

There are many GT-40 diehards out there. The only motor that beats it in torque nowadays is the 6.0 liter. I had one in my 99 SNOB and it was awesome. I firmly believe it is one of the best marine engines ever produced.

[Mikeski]

RE: Any SN advice will help!

Avoid the 1994 EFI motor if you can it was the least reliable of all the years you are considering, a one year edelbrock add on that didn't work so well. The 1994 Carb engine is better then the FI motor. Pro-Boss means it has GT-40 heads and carburation. GT-40 is a an open loop version of the SVO based Mustang style injection system, works extremely well. In 1996 the only change was the exhaust resulting in a smaller motor box with cupholders in the back. In 1997 everything changed. I would say the 1996 is the most desireable boat for your use, just my opinion. Next is a 1995 w/GT-40, then 1993 or earlier carbed Pro-Boss. The carbed pro-boss (285hp) is a great motor in this boat with plenty of power. Thier idle manners are sometimes even better then the EFI boats (no delay to dead idle).

[skinautique]

RE: Any SN advice will help!

The Fuel Control Cell was added in 1996. In 1995, it was an inline fuel filter

[kateye57]

HP rating

What is the HP rating of the multi-port fuel injected GT-40 in the 96 SN?

[b2]

According to my 1996 brochure the GT-40 was quoted by PCM as having the following power output
"310HP and 350-385 fty/lbs of torque"

[kateye57]

HP rating

thanks b2. I have put down a deposit on a 96 and I will be picking it up in three weeks.

[darrel409]

RE: HP rating

skinautique, what is a Fuel Control Cell and what does it do? Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: HP rating

The FCC serves several purposes. It filters the fuel, and also allows for a secondary fuel pump to pump fuel from the FCC bowl instead of directly from the tank, thus greatly reducing the chances of vapor lock developing on PCM engines equipped with the FCC.

[kateye57]

96 engine options

Hey Nautique Jeff, How many engine options were offered in 96 and how do you tell them apart?

[NautiqueJeff]

Re: RE: 96 engine options

I believe they offered a 351 (carb) 260 HP engine, the Pro Boss (290 HP), and the GT-40 (310 HP).

[b2]

Also the GM Pro-Ski Throttle body injected 275hp

[NautiqueJeff]

Did they offer that in '96? I wasn't sure, so I left it off, but it did cross my mind. For some reason I was thinking that wasn't offered until '98.

[b2]

More facts from the brochure.
Top Speed = 46.2 MPH
36 MPH Time = 4.83 seconds
36 MPH distance = 156.4 feet

doesnt say what engine though.