ZR-6

[BlackHawk]

The ZR-6 engine is a $3984 upgrade over the Excalibur. I would like to hear experiences you have had with each engine, and whether you consider the Excalibur sufficient for all but the most intense requirements. Is the ZR-6 worth the upgrade?

[AbunDiga909]

RE: ZR-6

What everybody is going to say is that the Excalubur 330 is more than enough and will give you all the power you could possibly want from a Nautique whether it is out-of-the-hole or top end and the ZR6 isn't worth the upgrade, and they're all right! The ZR6 is only for those who just want the biggest baddest engine out there for the sake of it. No substantial power increase is noticable, just a few minor ones. If price matters to you and you don't need the biggest baddest motor in a Nautique, go with the Excalibur, you won't be dissapointed.

But if you are considering a 226 or putting like 1,000+ lbs. in a 210 or 211, you may want to lean more towards the ZR6.

If you are considering an '03 or a little older Nautique, take a look at the Python if you really want power. That will really empty your wallet but you will sure as **** notice a difference with that dinosaur in your boat!

[Luke]

RE: ZR-6

Here is a good thread that covers that question:
http://www.planetnautique.com/index....&highlight=zr6

[Harry_Potter]

RE: ZR-6

The ZR6 is an awesome motor but maybe only necessary if your seriously weighting. I had some good advise on here about changing the prop on a boat with the 5.7 Excalibur. Results were just as awesome, its like its on nitrous....

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: ZR-6

BlackHawk,

You don't mention in your post what boat you're considering. I have the Excalibur in my 2003 SAN, and my next boat will have the ZR-6. The Excalibur is a fine engine, and, with the
correct propeller, has great power. That being said, when I run full ballast with more than a couple people aboard, I find the engine to be slightly underpowered. I decided last summer that I would not buy another SAN with the Excalibur. It would be fine for most people, but I am extremely picky when it comes to my boat.

I have been in Greg Meloon's 226, and it had the ZR-6 engine. Even in that large of a boat, the ZR-6 did extremely well. I was very impressed with the engine. I also know of several people on this site who have the ZR-6, and I have heard nothing but praise from them. They include a 206 owner, a Super Air owner, and a 216 owner. From their past comments, I doubt any of them would switch back to the Excalibur.

Now, if you really want some power, skip the ZR-6 and the Python and step up to the SUPERCHARGED engine that CC was considering for a little while. They never made it to production though...

[SGY]

RE: ZR-6

Four grand is a big bite of an upgrade but I think I'd do it--especially at high altitude. Skinxs always orders his promo 196 with the ZR6. He's sold on the thing.

That is a smokin' motor.

[66Skylark]

Jeff,

I'm curious, do you know what that supercharged motor was rated at for HP?

[NautiqueJeff]

They never officially released the specs. Let me do a little digging and see what I can come up with.

[gunnin4six]

When I went to the Masters Tournament in 2003, they used that engine to pull the ski fly, and I remember the anouncer saying it was over 500Hp. It sounded like a 30 foot cigarette coming down the lake, very cool!

[whataniceboat]

Blackhawk
I have owned 2 nautiques with the excallibur, and so far one with the
zr-6.
My first excalibur was in an 02 ski nautique, that seemed fine plenty of hole shot, smooth and reliable.
My next excalibur was an 03 226 ltd, engine was still smooth and reliable.

My latest boat is an 04 226 ltd with tanks and tower, this one is fitted with the ZR6, loads of power ultra smooth, even quieter than my excaliburs and never seems to run out of steam, I lent the boat to my dealer to pull a wakeboard comp and even with about 10 people in the boat and extra ballast the boat just leapt up onto the plane with no effort at all.

Basically what I am trying to say is GET THE ZR-6

[TylerO]

Basically what I am trying to say is GET THE ZR-6

I'm with Whataniceboat. My boat's coming with the ZR6 but I had two additional reasons (pety as they may be)

1) I will be using the boat in salt water regularly. If I went with the Excaibur I would of shelled out another grand for the closed water cooling. So, my logic is if I'm going to spend $1K more for closed water cooling why not spend $3 to $4K more and get the bigger motor with standard closed water cooling? (not great logic but neither is #2)

2) My old boat was a jet with a huge 454 in it that screamed out of the hole and had 60 MPH top end. I switched for obvious reasons but I still crave the power and the ZR6 will help with the withdrawls. This may sound bad but how often do us boaters ever buy "less" when shopping for something new? I bet few of us have ever replaced our primary vechicle with a new vechicle that has less power.....

[JoeCos]

I demo'd a 226 with the 330hp Excalibur, with 3 adults and towing a skier. Empty Ballast. I felt, with the weight, it was sluggish off the hole. The sales rep mentioned that he felt the same. With that size of boat and weight, the ZR6 is the way to go IMHO.

My suggestion to you is to demo the boat you want with the motor you had in mind. Try to replicate the weight and intent of use during this demo so you will know if indeed a ZR6 is needed. If its for wakeboarding, make sure you load up the boat and get a feel for it.

This is what I did because, like you, I wasnt sure if the ZR6 was necessary.

My 226 Team is coming in March and it will be fitted with a ZR6.

Not that it matters, but just an FYI, the ZR6 motor is the same as the H2 Hummer motor, except its the Marinized version.

Good Luck in your decision Making !

[Air206]

I have the ZR6 in a 206 - We love it. It is the "next generation" engine, lighter-weight than similar HP powerplants, runs 87 and gives great power. The semi-closed cooling system makes winterization a snap! We run it all winter in VA (where it freezes)... use the heater a ton .... no winterization concerns - drain a fitting and empty raw water bowl - that's it. It is a great "convenience engine".

We had a "vanilla" 245-265 HP 351 in our old CC. It gave us plenty of power - for what we were used to. (What are you used to? - What do you need?) Engines always get bigger and badder. I think the ZR6 will give me a resale advantage in 10 years and A TON OF FUN until then. There are folks on this site that spend $4,000.00 on their stereo or otherwise pimping their ride - I spent it on the engine. Get what you want - It's the best ride out there!! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[66Skylark]

I just got my new 'Automobile' magazine with the new Corvette Z06 on the cover.

Maybe CC could play with putting the new Vette Z06's motor in their boats.

500hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, that'd be a kick in the pants.. err... swimsuit.

[SGY]

Anyone have any piston slap problems with the ZR6 motor. My 6.0 (GMC Sierra) slapped like an old nun with a ruler.