SAN with 8.1 Engine

[ally505]

I'm still on the lookout for a good SAN, unfortunately in the UK, they seem to be few and far between. I've spotted a SAN that has been refurbished which has the 8.1 engine and single port gas conversion. I am not at all familiar with the 8.1 engine, how reliable is it, is there anything to watch out for? From a like to like basis how much more thirsty was the 8.1 compared to the 5.8 GT40?The engine has been on gas all it's life (a must in the UK as petrol in such a large engine would be uneconomical to run) so a compression test will be a must to see of the valve seats are okay.

[nyryan2001]

No personal experience.... but 8.1L was in the Malibus for a while 2005-2008 timeframe... and the folks that have experience with them LOVE them. Ive heard several say its one of the best marine engines ever made, never had heard any negative reviews on it. 450 horsepower i believe, TONS of torque... If I were in the market for a used boat and that engine came into consideration, that would be a huge plus to me.

The only inboard Ive heard spotty reviews of having reliability and design issues was on was the 6.2L Hammerhead engine. 8.1L has an amazing reputation.

[s_kelley2000]

What year SAN? I believe you have found yourself a Python! http://www.planetnautique.com/Correc...als/Python.pdf

I have the 8.2 which was replaced by the 8.1 and they are pretty similar from everything I have seen and read. I think Crusader (PCM's saltwater name plate) still makes the 8.1 so parts should be easy to find. The original 8.2s are known to drink a little oil but are very reliable as long as you stay on top of it and don't let it get low. I check the level before I go out and top us as necesary and have not had any problems with mine. The 8.1 supposedly solved the oil consumption issue.

I can't speak for LPG but as for gas usage I think pythons and GT40s burn a similar amount if you are pulling boarders. The RPMs are much lower at boarding speed so the engine isn't working as hard so I'd venture to say they are close to even. If you lay into it and do some speed runs you can literally see the gas gauge starting to drop but under normal driving conditions I am quite happy with my fuel consumption. Good luck with your search.

[Neverenough]

You can never go wrong witha big chevy in a boat! Almost all of the high performance boat use them. Every mercruiser performance package is a big Chevy with the exception of a few small block deal. Wish my 220 had one! Weight and the torque would be great! Fuel purchases would be more.

[bchesley]

The 8.1 is a gen 6 block which is a stroked 454. Some call it the baby python. The 8.2 is a gen 5 block and a true big bore big block. I have the 8.2 and there's none badder in an old school 210.

[ally505]

Cheers for the input. The boat is a 2000, so must be the 8.2 then I would guess.
The good news (kind of) is that the engine size will scare people off this side of the pond, it's more than 4x the cc of the average car here. I've heard that the engine is rather noisy, yes I do like the sound of a big block but not all day as the drone could get a little much.
I'll let you know how I get on with this.....

[s_kelley2000]

When it comes to noise, well you won't mistake a python boat for any other Nautique. It's a big motor with no room for the ivertaflow muffler. It's loud but definitely not annoying or overbearing when in the boat.

[CUE99T]

Hey fella,

We have a 2001 SAN with GT40 in Scotland and I think we put 40hrs on it last year and its not LPG, I think unless its got it done its not worth doing unless you plan never to sell it or plan on doing 250hrs a season which is hard with our weather.

We might upgrade ours later this year or next year if its of interest. Nothing concrete at the moment.

What's your budget do you reckon?

Dropping it in this year.





Paul