Chevy engines okay?

[skinnytick]

hi guys - first post so dont rip me too much!

I am considering buying a 2002 196 Ski Nautique ive seen. it has the Chevy engine fitted, and I have heard rumour that this isnt as good/reliable as the Ford block.

is this true? and what sort of trouble do you get with these engines?

any help appreciated!

[Andrew]

RE: Chevy engines okay?

this thread could last forever!
imho, engines are engines.... as long as u keep it maintained it doesn't matter who makes it..... both are tried and true, so i don't think u can go wrong either way....

now prepare for domestic auto wars!

[BP22]

While I'm a Ford guy...the "Chevy" engine in my SAN has been great, but that's probably because it has a Ford remote oil filter. :mrgreen:


I agree with Andrew.

[TRDon]

Agree with andrew. I Love the 351 and have a preference toward them because I am a hobby racer and do a lot of work on local car club guys who prodominantly have 5.0 based mustangs and the 351 is just a larger version of the 5.0. It is a very easy carryover for me in tuning and drivability that I am comfortable with. No reason other than that.

[Mikeski]

in cars I prefer chevy motors, in boats I prefer ford motors? go figure, it's just my personal experience.

The Fords make more torque than chevy's, but the chevy's are smoother running than the fords. If I could have a Ford GT-40 in my next boat I would, next choice is the ZR6 or excalibur, not a bad choice across the board. I will avoid the 454+ cubic inch big block motors,

[saceone]

my 330ex>my neighbors gt40

IMHO. the 330 ex is so smooth.

[DanielC]

GM engines are fine. So is Ford. Interesting you are looking at a 2002 boat, that was the year the switch was made. A good friend of mine has a 2002 Ski Nautique with a Ford engine.
I believe that Correct Craft would of liked to keep using Ford 351 engines, but they became unavailable. They were testing the newer modular motors, but the modular motors turned out to not have the durability that the 351 did.
So the switch was made to GM.

[SNMike]

IMVHO, both engines are great reliable work horse's. The Ford has a throatier, meaner sound, and the Vortech is a little smoother. Either way, PCM knows how to fit them for water sports.

Regards!

Mike

[skinnytick]

thanks guys. no issues then really.

[SGY]

What PCM version of the GM motor? Is it the Apex or the Excalibur?

[DanielC]

SYG, Good question. My engine priority, given a choice. GT-40 first.
Excalibur second, Apex third.
Was a Python availble in 2002?

[WakeSlayer]

The 8.1 (498) was still available in '02 and possibly 03. 8.2(502) was 99-00 for sure, not sure if the switch was made in 2001 or 2002.

[SGY]

SYG, Good question. My engine priority, given a choice. GT-40 first.
Excalibur second, Apex third.
Was a Python availble in 2002?

Yeah, I recall that the Apex didn't quite have the low end. It wasn't until PCM came out with the Excalibur that they had a GM package that was close to the GT-40. But I say that with no first hand experience with the Apex. I'm curious if anyone on this board has any experience with that PCM package.

[DanielC]

i have spent a little time skiing behind a Sport Nautique with a 305 engine, A 1999 Sport.
I am glad I got a GT-40.

[WakeSlayer]

a 305? Is that not a bit under powered for a boat like that?