PCM H5 vs Excalibur 343?

[jc]

Ok looking for any real world experience here. Pretty close to picking up a 210 this season, can get a decent deal on a 2015 leftover with the 5.7/ 343 motor or get a new 2016 with the new PCM H5 motor. The H5 is smaller displacement with higher HP numbers, but the 343 looks to have more torque.
Anyone been in both or know someone who's had real world comparison? I've only been in 210's with the 409 6.0, which is perfect for what we do but none around for sale...
50/50 wake board and surf, and I like to add weight with a boat full of people.
Will the excal 343 do it?
Will the H5 be enough loaded with people ?
I'm worried it will have trouble planing when we are boarding.

[NautiqueJeff]

The H5 is a great engine! I have been in a G21 with that engine, and it is even better than a 409 while using way less fuel.

The H6 in my current G23 uses so much less fuel than my 6.0L 450 did last year!

The EX-343 is 343 HP / 370 lb-ft Torque
The ZR-409 is 409 HP / 400 lb-ft Torque
The ZR-450 is 450 HP / 425 (estimated) lb-ft Torque
The H5 is 355 HP / 405 lb-ft Torque
The H6 is 450 HP / 465 lb-ft Torque
The XR7/XS7 is 550 HP / 545 lb-ft Torque

Torque is key, much more than HP in our applications.

[jc]

Thanks Jeff, that helps.
I thought I read somewhere the 343 was in the 400's for torque?

[skiinxs]

The H5 is pretty much the equal of the 409 in torque at skiing speeds, down a few horsepower from the 409 on top end, but torque is what you need. Pulling strong jumpers, I ran back to back tests and got almost identical times with a 5.3 on the same jumpers that I did with my very strong 409 last year. Go for the '16 H5 over the 343 if you can!

[NautiqueJeff]

Thanks Jeff, that helps.
I thought I read somewhere the 343 was in the 400's for torque?

Nope. Not unless you include the transmission gear ratio multiplier. My numbers are directly from the manual.


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[seachicken27]

I think the new no-tool winterization plugs would definitely make me want the H5 over the 343.

[Catalac]

Thanks Jeff, that helps.
I thought I read somewhere the 343 was in the 400's for torque?

I have a 16 210 on order with the H5, went through the same investigation of specs. In an older publication they said "makes over 430ft lbs when equipped with 1.23 tranny" 430/1.23 = 350 crank ft lbs vs 405 crank ft lbs in H5. With the H5 the peak torque is 4100 rpm where as the 343 torque peaks around 3200 rpm so a different beast for sure. I like the potential for better fuel consumption and resale, not as happy with all aluminum motor vs steel for weight / ballast, I bet the H5 we is 150 lbs less. H5 drain / winterization looks like a snap.

[NautiqueJeff]

I think the new no-tool winterization plugs would definitely make me want the H5 over the 343.

Yes, that makes it very easy. Five minutes to drain the whole thing!

[skiinxs]

I have a 16 210 on order with the H5, went through the same investigation of specs. In an older publication they said "makes over 430ft lbs when equipped with 1.23 tranny" 430/1.23 = 350 crank ft lbs vs 405 crank ft lbs in H5. With the H5 the peak torque is 4100 rpm where as the 343 torque peaks around 3200 rpm so a different beast for sure. I like the potential for better fuel consumption and resale, not as happy with all aluminum motor vs steel for weight / ballast, I bet the H5 we is 150 lbs less. H5 drain / winterization looks like a snap.

I LOVE the lighter engine. I also never believed the "more road hugging weight" Ford commercials back in the 70's

[cedarcreek216]

We have the 343 in our 210 with about 2000 pounds additional ballast and have never had any issues. We are pretty much at sea level in Dallas. I can imagine if you have our ballast and 8 big dudes it may struggle a bit, but that's a lot of weight for that hull and if I have that much people weight I would not use all my ballast.


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[Wayward]

Torque is key, much more than HP in our applications.

Jeff, if you have some spare moments to read a really long post that explains why I dislike the torque>horsepower statement, please do.

I definitely understand the notion that, when talking towboats, torque is more important..... But it actually isn't. If however, we only had one gear ratio available, and only one prop available to use...... That would be a scenario in which torque measurement would be more important. However, vdrive manufacturers have tons of different ratios available, and there are many different props we can use. Horsepower is not a different measurement than torque. Horsepower is a measurement of torque plus additional information (rotational speed) to determine an actual work rate of the engine.

This is on the TMC site, but I feel it is a good read explaining why.

http://www.themalibucrew.com/index.p...e/#entry899608

[NautiqueJeff]

Interesting read for sure.

[jc]

We are starting to see some G21's with the H5 at the dealers now, which I think is a good indication of it's ability.

[Miljack]

Wayward I tried your link and it's not working, I'm interested in your take on this subject...

[Wayward]

Hmmm...... Maybe you have to be registered over there to view it. I'd hate to high jack this thread that bad, unless the OP doesn't mind.