ZR 550 reviews?

[Laketexoma]

Who has the XR550 in the G23? I'm looking at trading in my 13 G23 with the 450 for a 14 with the 550. Just wanting to hear some feed back on the motor and how it runs/fuel usage..

[ers906]

Absolutely love it. I have 120 hours on it (in 7 weeks) and have had no problems with it at all. With the stock prop, full ballast, and over a dozen people on board it has had no problem getting up on plane. Even with an extra 2500# of ballast for surfing I havent had problems getting on plane. I am averaging about 6.5 gallons per hour (averaging prob 1/2 time with full ballast and 1/2 empty). Hopefully this helps a bit.

[Laketexoma]

Is there any type of supercharger whistle or whine through the intake breather?

[wakeslasher69]

I have the 550 and I honestly don't know how that heavy beast would act with a 450. In truth I have not driven or been in a 450 so direct comparison. I just know how incredibly heavy that boat is, then add factory ballast and 8 ppl and man is that a lot of work for an engine! To me when they introduced the xr version it was a no brainer for the minimal upgrade fee comparatively speaking. I don't remember any whistle from the breather but I honestly don't pay that much attention so I guess it isn't very noticeable if there is a whine. Just know that it is a LOUD engine so it may drowned out that sound, I'm adding the factory surf exhaust so that will quiet things down a bit.

IMHO I say go 550hp you won't regret it!

[fatchance720]

I would get the new 450 with the 17" prop, That will probably perform better than the 550 and it has a catalytic converter where the 550 does not. Its funny over all the threads on here, even if you have the 409 the boat is insane! I have minor regrets every now and then about not getting the 550 instead of the 450 but I am very happy with the 450. I can Ollie on a wake surf and I can get almost 20 ft of air off of a double up so what really does it matter after that. My knees and back cant take anymore.

[northwestwater]

Lake Tex, i have been happy with the 550 though the XS was the only thing available when i got my boat. i had been on a demo with the 409 and it took a long time to plane. i live on small lake and needed the boat to plane faster. while i have not estimated the fuel consumption, it sure seems like it sucks a lot of fuel in comparison to my last boat with the 409. the power of the 550 incredible. it has no issues getting on plane quickly no matter how much weight we have had in it. anyone sitting on the passenger side has to hold on when accelerating or they slide to the back of the boat. It is quite loud if you are out cocktail cruising so you'll just have to turn up those speakers! i have been very pleased with the motor. i wish you well in your decision. that's pretty cool if you can get a new boat every year.

[wakeslasher69]

It is quite loud if you are out cocktail cruising so you'll just have to turn up those speakers! i have been very pleased with the motor..

I am hearing that the new surf pipe REALLY cuts out a lot of the noise. My pipe just came in to the dealer so I'll be installed soon. (retro fit to 2013 G)

[ironj32]

The super charger noise on the 550 is minimal. In my opinion, the 450 is louder and throatier than the 550 is.

[vision]

The super charger noise on the 550 is minimal. In my opinion, the 450 is louder and throatier than the 550 is.

Agreed. The 450 is noticeably louder and deeper in sound than the 550 I test drove. There was a slight supercharger whine, but barely noticeable. With the FAE/Surf pipe, you may hear the SC more, but I would doubt it will be that noticeable.

[lion90]

I am hearing that the new surf pipe REALLY cuts out a lot of the noise. My pipe just came in to the dealer so I'll be installed soon. (retro fit to 2013 G)

Let us know how the install goes and your results. Total damage around $750?

[wakeslasher69]

Let us know how the install goes and your results. Total damage around $750?

Yup, $750 is what I'm told.

[Laketexoma]

Thanks for all he reply's. after I reproped the boat it helped a lot out of the hole. It just hurt the top end to much. Mine redlines at 34-35. I'm hoping that with the 550 I can have great hole shot and a better top end. I know it's not a speed boat and I like to cruse around 32 ish and not be so close to the rev limiter.