Downsides of 550 engine?

[gmoniey]

I'm considering a '16 G23 with a 550hp engine. We're in high altitude (Lake Tahoe), so could benefit from the larger engine, but I'm curious if there are any downsides I'm not considering?

Only thing I've heard to date is premium gas can add up, but it'll be docked for the summer and I hope we can offset some of the gas costs by just topping it off with a gas can regularly.

Beyond that, anything I should be considering?

Being new to boats and I'm trying to figure out all the things I need to do my diligence on.

Thanks.

[Soul_surfer]

Never owned a 550 G23 but been on few past theses years.
This engine is straight beast. Even overkill.
You have the 550 with the 2:1 gear ratio and the 1:48

The only downgrade I see is what you said, the premium gas. Don’t know if you can put some regular in it.
probably like some people put regular in AMG. Maybe it will cause problems in the long term maybe not. I’m no fuel specialist.

everyone I know who owned a 550 was putting prenium. When you spend 6K more for this motor you should take care of it properly!
the 550 with 1:48 can handle the boat with all ballast full + around 3 000lbs. And does it well.
With the 2:1 ratio it’s even 4 000pounds more. These engines are just monsters lol.
In 2016 it have the option of the 450 with 2:1 ratio.
Most people was taking this engine because it does the job. unless you are high elevated and always 12people in the boat.
saving 6K is a good thing too when you don’t really need the beast engine.
the 450 2:1 is pretty much like the 550 1:48. The only downside between the 2 is the weight, 550 can take more.
some people I know said if they were to do it again they ordered their G23 with the 450 and spend the extra money on something else.
the 450 2:1 works really great for normal use

but for a used one if the price is right, why not. The 550 is the big guy engine and if you can have it without spending the 6-7K, sounds perfect.
Its up to you.

[Farmer Fred]

Gmoniey, I think you are definitely on the right track in considering that '16 G23 with the 550 engine. If your primary use is at Lake Tahoe, it's the perfect choice and you won't be paying the full engine upgrade price that the original owner paid. It's around a $10k upgrade when purchasing new. The boat should have a 2:1 transmission, being a '16 year model, and you may even find that the stock prop lacks enough pitch to keep the engine rpms down. There is a great thread on here about different prop options on a G23 with the 550 and 2:1. The guy who did the testing found that going to a 17x19 prop brought his rpms down, saved on fuel consumption, and still had more than enough power. However, it depends on your use. If you constantly have a full crew, full ballast, and do a lot of wakeboarding on Tahoe, your best bet would be leave the stock prop on. The Reno dealer, from whom I've purchased my last three Nautiques, orders almost all of his stock G boats in with the 550 because Tahoe is his primary market and he wants the end user to have all the power needed for altitude use. The supercharger adds forced induction to the engine, necessitating premium fuel, but virtually negating the altitude's effect on the engine. (In simpler terms, it helps the engine breathe.) It will experience much less horsepower loss compared to a naturally aspirated engine. If the boat is in good shape and priced right, it sounds like just what you need. Good luck!

[Bevostein]

550 will burn more fuel than the H6 but that differential depends on how each boat is propped, how you used it, etc. That is the POTENTIAL significant downside. No one can really answer if that is a downside for you with knowing the gph you would get with the H6 versus the 550. However, given your elevation the 550 may come in handy. I would also think resale will be better in a higher elevation region with the 550.

Besides that, yes the only other downside is premium and that may not be that big of a downside depending on your circumstances.

For example, we only have one or two gas pumps on our lake and those pumps are regular unleaded only, no premium. More important the regular unleaded is crazy expensive to the tune of $2 more per gallon than a local gas station. So for me, regardless of which engine I got there was no way I was filling up on the lake.

I have a golf cart at the lakehouse, a bunch of gas cans, a truck, two boys (14yo and 16yo) and a couple of beers. I drink a beer or coffee if its early and watch them bring the gas out on the dock in the cart and fill the boat up. That's how my boat gets gassed up. Its relatively easy which I understand may not be the case for others. Not sure what I would do if I had to haul the gas cans by hand or just couple of cans at a time.

Premium is $0.40 more than regular here in Texas. Depending on your load and hours, premium is probably not that much more than regular. For example we do about 80 hours a year. If we average 7gph then the season fuel cost for regular at $2.20 is $1232 and the season cost for premium at $2.60 is $1456. A difference is $225 for the entire season. I am not advocating blowing money unnecessarily but for all the money we spend on these boat, I personally am not going to sweat $200.

[72Miles]

Here's a list of all the downsides to the 550:

[charlesml3]

Here's a list of all the downsides to the 550:

Cute, but the Premium Fuel requirement is most definitely a downside. The cost difference in the fuel is probably not terribly significant, but the availability must be considered. If you've been buying gas "on the water" then you most definitely want to see if you can even get Premium where you are. I don't see many places selling Premium. It's mostly regular and mid-grade.

-Charles

[skiinxs]

If you want to get the full 450 hp out of the H6 you will need premium as well. It will run on 87 octane with no damage, but will produce significantly less hp. The ECM protects it on low octane fuel by retarding the timing. When switching back to 93 octane it will take a tank or 2 to get full power back, or disconnect the battery for a couple minutes to force it to relearn. So bottom line, fuel shouldn't really be a differentiator between the two engines unless you are ok with less than 450 hp.

[charlesml3]

If you want to get the full 450 hp out of the H6 you will need premium as well. It will run on 87 octane with no damage, but will produce significantly less hp. The ECM protects it on low octane fuel by retarding the timing. When switching back to 93 octane it will take a tank or 2 to get full power back, or disconnect the battery for a couple minutes to force it to relearn. So bottom line, fuel shouldn't really be a differentiator between the two engines unless you are ok with less than 450 hp.

You cannot be serious. "fuel shouldn't really be a differentiator" and but just before that, you explained exactly why it is a differentiator. If you're going to burn 87 octane in this engine and live with "significantly less power" then why in the world would you spend $10,000 more for the 550? If you're OK with less than 450HP, then don't spend ten grand on that engine and then hamper it with lower octane fuel. That's ridiculous.

I suppose you could say "I'll just burn cheap gas until I need more power and then switch to Premium" but how practical is that exactly? You have to get TWO tanks through before it relearns, or go through a battery disconnect to force it. Neither of those are practical at all.

[skiinxs]

@charlesml3 I probably didn't communicate what I was trying to say very well. It is not much of a differentiaror because both engines should run premium. You should not call the 550 a disadvantage because it needs premium. I was referring to the H6 and the need for 93 Octane to get the full 450 hp. I agree with you that in my opinion it is impractical to switch back and forth between 87 and 93 octane on the H6 (450), as I always run 93 Octane in mine, although if you are in a situation on a lake that only has 87 you could run it with no damage just to get by. As far as the 550, it is 93 octane only, you will cause engine damage running 87 octane, so you should never "spend the money for the 550 and hamper it with lower octane."

[distinguishedmotorsports]

the use of premium fuel seems to be #1.


but people forget that the added complexity requires some changes to the fuel and cooling systems. there are two separate cooling systems on the FI motors if i'm not mistaken, one for the engine, one for the intercooler. i know they are NOT using the same injectors from a 6.0L to the 550hp motor, so figure that some replacement parts are going to be heavier duty/more robust, and that's gonna be a bigger burden on your wallet.

[charlesml3]

@charlesml3 I probably didn't communicate what I was trying to say very well. It is not much of a differentiaror because both engines should run premium. You should not call the 550 a disadvantage because it needs premium. I was referring to the H6 and the need for 93 Octane to get the full 450 hp. I agree with you that in my opinion it is impractical to switch back and forth between 87 and 93 octane on the H6 (450), as I always run 93 Octane in mine, although if you are in a situation on a lake that only has 87 you could run it with no damage just to get by. As far as the 550, it is 93 octane only, you will cause engine damage running 87 octane, so you should never "spend the money for the 550 and hamper it with lower octane."

Ahhh... OK. Gotcha. Sorry about that. I read "450" and translated it to "550" in my head. Whoops...

-Charles

[gmoniey]

Thanks for all the feedback...this was very helpful!

My plan for refueling is similar to @Bevostein as we have a dock outside our home and we'd just fill up cans at the local gas station. The one thing to note however, is local gas stations in CA only sell 91 octane as premium. When we say premium in this context is 91 ok, or is 93 what is needed?

@distinguishedmotors, that extra piece is also very helpful...this is exactly what I was looking for.

[nyryan2001]

I love the 550hp.... just sold yesterday. I’ll likely have a 550 in my next again.

but this post probrably will take 2-4 days to post

[skiinxs]

Thanks for all the feedback...this was very helpful!

My plan for refueling is similar to @Bevostein as we have a dock outside our home and we'd just fill up cans at the local gas station. The one thing to note however, is local gas stations in CA only sell 91 octane as premium. When we say premium in this context is 91 ok, or is 93 what is needed?

@distinguishedmotors, that extra piece is also very helpful...this is exactly what I was looking for.

At the high elevation you are talking about, 91 octane is probably at least equivalent to 93 at lower elevations.

[nohlan_4]

Thanks for all the feedback...this was very helpful!

My plan for refueling is similar to @Bevostein as we have a dock outside our home and we'd just fill up cans at the local gas station. The one thing to note however, is local gas stations in CA only sell 91 octane as premium. When we say premium in this context is 91 ok, or is 93 what is needed?

@distinguishedmotors, that extra piece is also very helpful...this is exactly what I was looking for.

You will be fine with 91 octane on the 550. Do not mix fuels with that engine as you can cause damage for sure. Also the new 6.2 450 H6 has full power on 87 octane, the older 6.0 was supposedly hampered by regular fuel even though I don't notice a difference and I run heavy. For your needs at extreme elevation the 550 would be a nice to have but it depends how you use the boat. Where I live the 550 is a dick swinging engine and totally a waste of money.