2005 46 DA with Cummins 6CTA 8.3M

[Charles Lambert]

I am on the market for a 2003-2005 46 DA. They all seem to have Cummins 480CE except for this one with 6CTA 8.3M engines. The Broker tells me that they are more powerfull (480 hp) than the regular 480 CE (446 hp) which I find strange. The Sea Ray web site shows no trace of an optionnal 6CTA 8.3M Cummins engine for any 2003 to 2005 models. What could this means? Replacement engines? Are they really more powerfull? What excatly is the difference between these two engines?

 

[smithbucks]

As a yacht broker myself and owner of a 2003 460DA I believe the broker you are talking to doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. The 480EC (446hp) is the same engine as the 6CTA8.3M. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong... I think some people confuse the 480EC designation and think it refers to the horsepower rating of the engine when in fact it doesn't.

If you are looking for a nice 460 there are a couple out here in CA that may be worth a look... PM me and I can give you some details...

 

[Rocket]

THe 480CE is the same block as the 6CTA8.3 however is has some electronics on the fuel system which allow it 446 HP at the prop. The 6CTA8.3 is also called the 450c which is rated at 417 HP at the prop. So your broker is wrong by telling you the 6CTA8.3 is more powerful. I dont know the 460 sundancer but it is larger than my boat and i think would require the the 480CE.

 

[fc3]

The 480CE was an electronically controlled engine, but not common rail. That makes it somewhat unusual. You may want to onvestogate parts and service availability.

Best regards
Frank

 

[fwebster]

We've got 2 460DA's with 6CTA's in our marina......I've run them both and you don't need any more power. In fact, since they are the same engine except for the injector and injection control, you cannot tell the difference between them and the 480CE's until you get to very high rpm settings.

 

[Charles Lambert]

Thanks to everyone. But is it true that the 6CTA does not come with the Smart Craft since it is all mechanic ? I still think that the broker did not check correctly or is mistaking because he is arguing that the label says 480 hp.. He must have reading problems between 480CE and 480 hp ??? Who would order a 2005 46DA with engines that even 2003 models did not have ?

 

[fwebster]

You just may have a communication problem with the broker.

The 2005 460DA only came with 480CE's or 460 hp Volvo (usually for export since Volvos are very popular in Europe).

The engine tag may say the engine family is 6CTA, but if the injectors are electronically controlled, the engines are 480CE's. The confusion on hp ratings may be this: Diesels are rated at both brake HP and shaft HP. There is usually some loss in power at the shaft and most shaft ratings are about 7% under the brake hp. So 480hp X 93% =446hp.

Smartcraft integration into the diesel powered boats only came after the Cummins/Mercruiser marketing agreement was reached and only happened with electronic engines. I believe you are correct.......mechanical engines do not have Smartcraft. Furthermore, I'll also add that Smartcraft may give you some information, but older mechanical engines are also more dependable and do not suffer electronic quirks. Generally, if you get clean fuel and air to them and enough electrical current to crank them, they are going to run. Smartcraft owners find that the system is another system of sensors, screens, etc to maintain and will cause some consternation and increase your maintenance and repair costs over time.

 

[jrirvine1]

Yes, the 480 CE's do have smartcraft and the 6CTA's do not.

 

[nauti]

Dear SwineKnot:

How many bottles of tequila will the new boat be able to hold? :smt038

Congrats!

Nauti

 

[Skip]

I 've put 600 hours on my 6CTA 8.3M3s since I bought my 420DA used (107 hours on the clocks) in March of 2006. They are trouble free, reliable motors, fairly fuel efficient in the 2100-2200 RPM range, and easy to work on if you are a DIY boat maintainer. I have not run a 460DA with either the 6CTA 8.3M3 450 or 480CE power.
There are plenty of 460DA owners on this board who can give you real world fuel burn, etc. I've looked in detail at a 2001 460DA with the same engines as my 420DA, and my only observation is that the engine room access is tight on the outboard side of both engines, which will make impeller changes/aftercooler service on the stbd engine a chore, and the clearance between the valve covers and cockpit deck is similarly tight, which will make checking and adjusting valve lash tough.

My .02

 

[All's Well]

I am on the market for a 2003-2005 46 DA. They all seem to have Cummins 480CE except for this one with 6CTA 8.3M engines. The Broker tells me that they are more powerfull (480 hp) than the regular 480 CE (446 hp) which I find strange. The Sea Ray web site shows no trace of an optionnal 6CTA 8.3M Cummins engine for any 2003 to 2005 models. What could this means? Replacement engines? Are they really more powerfull? What excatly is the difference between these two engines?

Charles ... It looks like we're chasing the same boats.

I've been looking at the '03 - '05 460DA's as well.

There's plenty of them out there :thumbsup: