2001 Mercruiser 5.0 MPI vs. 5.7L EFI
- Thread starter tneathery
- Start date
Tim
Welcome to CSR. I see this is your first post.
We need a bit more information so folks can offer their opinions. What year and which model are the Amberjacks? Are the engines carbureted or fuel injected and if they are injected is it Throttle Body or Multi Point Injection (MPI)? How many hours are on the engines in both boats? Do the boats have V-drives or are they sterndrives?
The only reason I ask these questions, is I prefer fuel injected engines over carburetors. I also prefer MPI over Throttle Body. Even if the horsepower is the same on both engines, the torque is probably greater on the 5.7 which will give it a slight edge performance wise.
The condition of the engines should be your primary concern though regardless of what I mentioned.............and of course the overall condition of each boat.
Welcome to CSR. I see this is your first post.
We need a bit more information so folks can offer their opinions. What year and which model are the Amberjacks? Are the engines carbureted or fuel injected and if they are injected is it Throttle Body or Multi Point Injection (MPI)? How many hours are on the engines in both boats? Do the boats have V-drives or are they sterndrives?
The only reason I ask these questions, is I prefer fuel injected engines over carburetors. I also prefer MPI over Throttle Body. Even if the horsepower is the same on both engines, the torque is probably greater on the 5.7 which will give it a slight edge performance wise.
The condition of the engines should be your primary concern though regardless of what I mentioned.............and of course the overall condition of each boat.
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Well, condition is key, as Dave says.
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I SERIOUSLY doubt the 5.0L MPI engine has the same horsepower as the 5.7L EFI.
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According to the SeaRay website, this is an 11,300lb boat. The choices appear to be 5.0L EFI (240hp) or 5.7L EFI (260hp). The 5.7L engines could have either Bravo II, Bravo III, of V Drive. You could also get 7.4L engines (310HP) on this boat.
I strongly suspect that the 5L engines would result in a slightly underpowered boat.
If you go for a 5.7; although the Bravo II is a great drive, and far simpler mechanically than the BIII drive, I suspect you may want the "oomph" of the Bravo-III drives for this boat.
I suspect you really want to hold out and see if you can find a boat with bigger engines than the 5.7.
I can't speak to the "V" drive options. . .suffice it to say that would make this boat entirely different. Won't handle the same, and has totally different maintenance requirements.
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I SERIOUSLY doubt the 5.0L MPI engine has the same horsepower as the 5.7L EFI.
- - - - -
According to the SeaRay website, this is an 11,300lb boat. The choices appear to be 5.0L EFI (240hp) or 5.7L EFI (260hp). The 5.7L engines could have either Bravo II, Bravo III, of V Drive. You could also get 7.4L engines (310HP) on this boat.
I strongly suspect that the 5L engines would result in a slightly underpowered boat.
If you go for a 5.7; although the Bravo II is a great drive, and far simpler mechanically than the BIII drive, I suspect you may want the "oomph" of the Bravo-III drives for this boat.
I suspect you really want to hold out and see if you can find a boat with bigger engines than the 5.7.
I can't speak to the "V" drive options. . .suffice it to say that would make this boat entirely different. Won't handle the same, and has totally different maintenance requirements.
This is a great forum and thanks for your reply. Both are 2001. The 5.7 EFI has 348 hours, the 5.0 has 120. The 5.7 is a Bravo III drive. All the one listing says is MerCruiser 5.0 MPI's. This is the one with 120 hours. The other says 2001 MerCruiser 5.7L EFI.
The lower hour one is through a broker that is on vacation, so I am waiting for more information.
The lower hour one is through a broker that is on vacation, so I am waiting for more information.
11ncountin
New Member
- Dec 12, 2007
- 3
Hi Tim
Ihave a 290 amberjack with the 5.7 mags and v drives this is a great combo [300 hp ea ] I think the 5.0 would be ok with outdrives but would be underpowered with v drives By the way we love the boat
11ncountin
Tim
The 5.0 will also be a stern drive boat since that engine is not offered in a V-Drive configuration. You may want to download the spec sheet from Sea Ray's web site to familiarze yourself with what was available on this boat. Here is the link for the download .http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/2001/290 Amberjack/290AJ_SS.pdf There is also a whole bunch more stuff you can download about that boat. Here is the link to the entire download page on Sea Ray's web site. http://www.searay.com/archives.asp?tab=6&year=2001&folder2=290 Amberjack
And here is the BoatTest.com video on the 290AJ as well http://mfile.akamai.com/12689/wmv/b...i.com/12689/_dld/searay/searay_290aj_0300.asx
This test is on a model equipped with the 5.7 engines in a sterndrive configuration. Top end was 44.2 mph with a cruising speed of 27.7. Both are very good numbers.
I would lean towards the 5.7 myself but I would also prefer v-drives over sterndrives. But so much goes into making a choice, I think you have to make the call on your own as to what appeals to you. If you have any more questions, fire away. Hopefully one of our Amberjack owners can throw in some first hand recommendations based on their own experience.
Dave
The 5.0 will also be a stern drive boat since that engine is not offered in a V-Drive configuration. You may want to download the spec sheet from Sea Ray's web site to familiarze yourself with what was available on this boat. Here is the link for the download .http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/2001/290 Amberjack/290AJ_SS.pdf There is also a whole bunch more stuff you can download about that boat. Here is the link to the entire download page on Sea Ray's web site. http://www.searay.com/archives.asp?tab=6&year=2001&folder2=290 Amberjack
And here is the BoatTest.com video on the 290AJ as well http://mfile.akamai.com/12689/wmv/b...i.com/12689/_dld/searay/searay_290aj_0300.asx
This test is on a model equipped with the 5.7 engines in a sterndrive configuration. Top end was 44.2 mph with a cruising speed of 27.7. Both are very good numbers.
I would lean towards the 5.7 myself but I would also prefer v-drives over sterndrives. But so much goes into making a choice, I think you have to make the call on your own as to what appeals to you. If you have any more questions, fire away. Hopefully one of our Amberjack owners can throw in some first hand recommendations based on their own experience.
Dave
Thanks All. They are both Stern Drive. The nice thing is the 5.7 is local to me and the 5.0 would be a long haul to get. Both are very well priced, which I am assuming would go up with a V drive. I am a little concerned now that I have read more about them sitting in the water. But, in this situation I don't have a choice.
Mystic Dreamer
Active Member
I had an 01 AJ with 5.7L BIIIs- it is a great boat. I had no real issues with the motors and she had nearly 700 hours when I sold it. The V-drive configuration on the AJ's does reduce performance some since you can't trim the drives. A few years back Boating Magazine did a comparison of BIII's vs V-drive AJ's; someone may have the link.
With my 01 AJ I did have a persistent fresh water cabin leak and I found that many other AJ's had this problem too- you can tell if one has leaked by looking at the carpet near the aft "cabin". If you see discloration, water is probably leaking from the starboard cabin window and then wicking down to the floor. To fix mine, it took replacing the entire bomar window.
Brian
With my 01 AJ I did have a persistent fresh water cabin leak and I found that many other AJ's had this problem too- you can tell if one has leaked by looking at the carpet near the aft "cabin". If you see discloration, water is probably leaking from the starboard cabin window and then wicking down to the floor. To fix mine, it took replacing the entire bomar window.
Brian
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1) Don't be afraid regarding getting a boat at some distance to you. Are we talking the need for professional long range transport, or a two hour cruise on the water?
2) 350 hours vs 125 hours in a 7 year old boat is irrelevant. A well maintained 350 hour boat beats a neglected 125 hour boat every time.
3) If you are *set* on a 290AJ, you have done some serious narrowing already. However, the power configuration is important.
a) Are these fresh water boats or salt water boats?
i)If salt water boats, these boats are due for riser replacement. Perhaps even a second riser replacement. This is not a bad thing. . just a fact of life (like tires on a car).
ii) Are the engines Raw Water cooled, or do they have Fresh Water (closed loop) cooling? Fresh water cooling would prolong the life of the engines themselves if you are running in salt water. If the boats were run in fresh water, but you will run the boat in salt water -> Strongly consider retrofitting closed loop cooling. If the boats are raw water cooled, and have been run in salt -> Its probably no longer cost effective to retrofit FWC (but maybe not on the 125 hour boat -> that maybe a point in that boats favor)
b) You have a serious choice regarding getting a boat with V drives vs I/O Bravo III drives. I can't comment on which is better, as I only have experience with I/O's. Mystic Dreamer notes that there may be a performance advantage with I/O's -> I think others would cite some serious maintenance advantages of V drives.
c) The 5.7L engine came with a Bravo II I/O choice. Not sure you want to go with that choice. Not sure you want to go with the 5.0L engine -> might be underpowered (I stated this up top.. .and I think someone echoed that). I think the 7.4L (350mag) engines in this boat would be sweet.
4) Oh yeah. . .tell us how you are going to use the boat, and where in the world you are!
2) 350 hours vs 125 hours in a 7 year old boat is irrelevant. A well maintained 350 hour boat beats a neglected 125 hour boat every time.
3) If you are *set* on a 290AJ, you have done some serious narrowing already. However, the power configuration is important.
a) Are these fresh water boats or salt water boats?
i)If salt water boats, these boats are due for riser replacement. Perhaps even a second riser replacement. This is not a bad thing. . just a fact of life (like tires on a car).
ii) Are the engines Raw Water cooled, or do they have Fresh Water (closed loop) cooling? Fresh water cooling would prolong the life of the engines themselves if you are running in salt water. If the boats were run in fresh water, but you will run the boat in salt water -> Strongly consider retrofitting closed loop cooling. If the boats are raw water cooled, and have been run in salt -> Its probably no longer cost effective to retrofit FWC (but maybe not on the 125 hour boat -> that maybe a point in that boats favor)
b) You have a serious choice regarding getting a boat with V drives vs I/O Bravo III drives. I can't comment on which is better, as I only have experience with I/O's. Mystic Dreamer notes that there may be a performance advantage with I/O's -> I think others would cite some serious maintenance advantages of V drives.
c) The 5.7L engine came with a Bravo II I/O choice. Not sure you want to go with that choice. Not sure you want to go with the 5.0L engine -> might be underpowered (I stated this up top.. .and I think someone echoed that). I think the 7.4L (350mag) engines in this boat would be sweet.
4) Oh yeah. . .tell us how you are going to use the boat, and where in the world you are!
CsiDave
New Member
Mystic Dreamer is right on about water in the cabin. It leaks through the window on to the sill and through a cabinet and then down into the corner in front of the aft cabin. It will also leak down through the closed sliding cabin door in a driving rain if the boat is not covered.
Mine is a 5.7 EFI with BIII drives and it is responsive and well powered, even with 6-8 people on board.
Other than normal engine and hull survey, I would make sure you have a working genset (that was a 10K option), check the hot water heater for leaks (corrosion problem), macerator was an option also.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
Good luck!
Mine is a 5.7 EFI with BIII drives and it is responsive and well powered, even with 6-8 people on board.
Other than normal engine and hull survey, I would make sure you have a working genset (that was a 10K option), check the hot water heater for leaks (corrosion problem), macerator was an option also.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
Good luck!
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
I have had the 5.7EFI motor on my old 1999 230OV and have the same motor in the boat I just purchased 2000 260DA. I haven't had the new boat out yet but that 5.7EFI was a great engine. On the 230OV I had the Alpha I. My Cousin has the 5.0MPI in his 2001 225WE with a Bravo III. His performance was slower out of the hole than my 230OV, but his fuel burn and cruising speed seemed to be better. My hunch is that the combo of the MPI and Bravo III was the reason. They're similar but different boats.
I think if you have Bravo III's I would lean towards the 5.7's but that MPI may pay off if you elect to go the 5.0 route. HP Should be the same but like stated before, the torque of the 5.7 will be higher.
I think if you have Bravo III's I would lean towards the 5.7's but that MPI may pay off if you elect to go the 5.0 route. HP Should be the same but like stated before, the torque of the 5.7 will be higher.
I am located in Wilmington, North Carolina. This is my first leap to a Cruiser style boat. I currently have a 22' Pursuit. My biggest fear is I want to enjoy the boat in the water. This is where the stern drives scare me. I don't want to dry stack a 29' boat, because I want to enjoy sitting at the dock as much as cruising. I believe this is where the v-drives come in handy. So let's take these two boats out of the picture, since I can find plenty of Sea Rays. What experience do you all have with Salt water sitting Sea Rays. I am very torn on what is the next boat.
- Nov 26, 2006
- 7,628
- Boat Info
- 2008 44 Sedan Bridge
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
Dave
Title: 5.0 MPI - Multi Port Fuel Injection; 5.7 EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection.
Sorry, I overlook the details at times too.
Ahh. . .now we get to the crux of the matter.
First, I don't think you should be "afraid" of the boat sitting in salt. .. you just need to be aware of a few things.
I/O drives have a few issues.
1) BIII drives in particular have corrossion concerns. With proper attention to zincs and the mercathode system -> the drive will only last "forever". You screw it up. . .you spend money to fix. No big deal. It will probably take more than one season to completely screw it up.
2) Risers and exhausts -> This is a concern for both I/O drives and V drives (I believe). In salt water service, these are wear items. Call it $4K (for two engines) every 3-5 years. $6K if a dealer does the work,
3) Salt/silt build up in engines. This is a concern for all engines. Over time, crud will build up in an engine and ruin it. This is a slow process. 1000-2000 hours engine life. Other things may wreck the engine before the silt gets it. If the engine is fresh water cooled, (ie, has a closed loop glycol system) -> this problem goes away. You may replace a $500 exchanger every 10 years instead.
4) Bellows. I/O drives have rubber sealing joints. They can fail. If they "fail", the boat sinks. 99% of the time, they leak first. Your bilge pumps can deal with leaks (this is one reason why you leave shore power hooked up when you are away). Bellows can be replaced as wear items. Cheap stuff.
Dry stacking -> Hey. . if you got bucks, you still would be better off drystacking the boat. That way, you avoid painting the bottom. Plus, a boat in a stack *can not sink*. Can the marina offer you weekend transient slips? You can then have best of both worlds.
Amber Jack -> the amber jacks are nice boats. Don't get me wrong. But they are set up with fishing in mind. If you want a cruiser to sit in the marina and kabitz. . .or go to another marina to kabitz. . .you may want a 290DA (sundancer) instead.
First, I don't think you should be "afraid" of the boat sitting in salt. .. you just need to be aware of a few things.
I/O drives have a few issues.
1) BIII drives in particular have corrossion concerns. With proper attention to zincs and the mercathode system -> the drive will only last "forever". You screw it up. . .you spend money to fix. No big deal. It will probably take more than one season to completely screw it up.
2) Risers and exhausts -> This is a concern for both I/O drives and V drives (I believe). In salt water service, these are wear items. Call it $4K (for two engines) every 3-5 years. $6K if a dealer does the work,
3) Salt/silt build up in engines. This is a concern for all engines. Over time, crud will build up in an engine and ruin it. This is a slow process. 1000-2000 hours engine life. Other things may wreck the engine before the silt gets it. If the engine is fresh water cooled, (ie, has a closed loop glycol system) -> this problem goes away. You may replace a $500 exchanger every 10 years instead.
4) Bellows. I/O drives have rubber sealing joints. They can fail. If they "fail", the boat sinks. 99% of the time, they leak first. Your bilge pumps can deal with leaks (this is one reason why you leave shore power hooked up when you are away). Bellows can be replaced as wear items. Cheap stuff.
Dry stacking -> Hey. . if you got bucks, you still would be better off drystacking the boat. That way, you avoid painting the bottom. Plus, a boat in a stack *can not sink*. Can the marina offer you weekend transient slips? You can then have best of both worlds.
Amber Jack -> the amber jacks are nice boats. Don't get me wrong. But they are set up with fishing in mind. If you want a cruiser to sit in the marina and kabitz. . .or go to another marina to kabitz. . .you may want a 290DA (sundancer) instead.
Amberjack01
Member
Have a 2001 AJ with 5.0 BIIIs. The 5.0s in these boats in 2001 were throttle body EFIs/240 HP. Comfortable cruise is 25-30 MPH at 3200 - 3600 RPM. I have seen a WOT of 43MPH with the bimini top up/radar arch etc. With 8-10 people on board, full tanks (230 fuel/30 water) you need trim and tabs to get on top, but with 4 on board and half tanks it will pop right up. Had a friend with a 2000 AJ with 310HP 7.4s and BIIIs - it screamed- but was a lot more thirsty than ours. Yes, ours has the fresh water leak on the starboard side. I rebedded the window and that took care of things. We love the boat but it stays in the water all summer at our house and I am tired of the outdrive maintenance (I have the DIY curse). Note: replaced hot water tank/heater after season 6 due to corrosion (boat is raw water cooled) and replaced manifolds/risers this past summer. I plan on having the marina replace the bellows before launch this spring (I'd rather be safe, not sorry on that one). Good luck....keep the questions coming
Reel
Reel
