5.0L 305 or 7.4L 454

C

Ccoe1

New Member
Jun 4, 2012
21
Maumee River/Lake Erie
Boat Info
99 210 Sundeck
Engines
305 V8 5.0L Alpha I
Quick rundown, I used to have a signature 200 cuddy with a 5.0L V8 in it and I loved it. It was a 55mph boat and it was fun.

Now im torn between 2 boats.
'01 210 bowrider with a fuel injected 5.0L V8
'94 220 bowrider with a 7.4L 454

I know what the 305 V8 will do on gas, how bad will the 454 be on gas. I know there are a lot of variables that play out, I know if i drop the hammer i am going to see the gas gage drop. Just looking for a generalization.
 
Previous boat was 1993 240BR with 454 Mag engine. Fuel economy was not that bad as the big motor performed with very little effort. I would have the big motor anyday.
 
I would be most concerned with the overall condition of the boats your looking at. The 220 is a larger and more powerfull boat but you have to be certain it is in good running order. The 7.4 is a great engine but I have heard about water ingestion issues with the older models. Can you sea trial either one? I think most would opt for the bigger faster boat but the real decision is which one is in better overall condition. Fuel consumption will be greater with the 7.4 but it won't break the bank. I'm guessing about 25% more fuel burn but I don't have any data to back that number up. Just my best guess from having some limited seat time with both engines.
 
I was thinking the 454 would not be that bad considering it is pushing a bigger boat. I would think it would take less effort from the motor to push a 22' er.

They both are in great shape with low hours on both, little more on the '94 obviously. I guess if I dont get a "its a gas hog, dont buy it" I will inspect the boats with greater detail when I decide to buy one.
I am leaning towards the 22' er with the 454 just because it is in great shape for the year and I really like the floor plan in it the best.
 
Sounds like a good plan. Just be on the lookout for soft spots especially around the hinges on the sun pad.
 
I have an '88 5.7L/350 in a 23' and a 1990 7.4L/454 in a 270DA. The 454 uses twice as much fuel if not more. The CV-23 goes 2800lbs and the 270DA goes 8500lbs. I can get 4.5mpg with the 350/2700rpms but the 454/3700rpms gets about 1.5mpg. Yes the 270 is three times heavier and if I run the CV-23/350 3700rpms I get 3mpg. Just some real facts to compare, Mike.
 
A lot of people won't like this, but IMO, the 305 is a throw-away motor. If you were looking at a 350 vs the 454, you could do pros and cons, but for my money, there are no pros to a 305.
 
I have heard a lot of negative comments about that motor for years. Do you know of any particular annoyances from that motor? I chose the 4.3 over it since that motor has been reliable not just in boats but in my friends chevy van and his brothers truck. Its either that or a 350 for me and that's not offered in the 205 sport even though it would be kickass.
390x said:
A lot of people won't like this, but IMO, the 305 is a throw-away motor. If you were looking at a 350 vs the 454, you could do pros and cons, but for my money, there are no pros to a 305.
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I was very pleased with everything about the 305 v8 I had in my sig 200. It had good power, sounded powerful but not abnoxiously loud and it was pretty good on fuel even at fast speeds and pulling a tube. That one was even carbuerated, this '01 im lookin at is fuel injected, even better from i have read. I would love to have a 350 but I cannot find a boat that i am interested in with that motor. Better yet, when are they going to start putting 327's in boats, if they havent yet.
 
blaster said:
I have heard a lot of negative comments about that motor for years. Do you know of any particular annoyances from that motor? I chose the 4.3 over it since that motor has been reliable not just in boats but in my friends chevy van and his brothers truck. Its either that or a 350 for me and that's not offered in the 205 sport even though it would be kickass.
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The 305 has the same weight as the 350, but not the horsepower or torque. They also aren't really much, if any, better than the 350 on fuel. Why bother? Every 305 I've ever seen just seemed so weak compared to a 350. In some instances, you're better off with the 4.3 because the power is about the same, but the weight is less. the 305 only came into existence when GM was trying to get around emissions requirements. They took the 350 and just lowered the displacement so the emissions would be lower. Also, they used to have problems in automotive applications with heads cracking. You can build a 305 to be a good motor, but they just don't really come that way from the factory. Also, since the 350 is the most popular motor ever made, parts for them are easy and cheaper to come by.
 
If the condition of the two boats are equal I'd choose the 454. From my experience (replaced a pair of 351 Fords with 454's) it will be better on fuel as it's not working nearly as hard to accomplish the same task. With all the extra torque of the 454 it will be better out of the hole too.
 
What you're more concerned about is when you're loaded up with gear and people. The 305 is gonna struggle mightily to get up and on plane. The 454 won't care.

As for water ingestion, that was an issue with larger SRs with underwater exhausts - it was a bad design - has no bearing on boats with outdrives.

At 3200 RPM, a 454 will burn about 13 GPH, when properly loaded. I don't know the numbers on a small block. I'd guess probably closer to 9 GPH. Thing is, how fast will you be going at 3200RPM in each boat - then you can figure out MPG, which is probably a more valuable figure. For example, the 454 gives you 26mph at 13gph, you are getting 2mpg. If the 305 gives you 20mph at 9 gph, you'd be doing a bit better.

It's usually best to err on the side of greater power than to underpower a boat. I'd say go with the big block.
 
rondds said:
What you're more concerned about is when you're loaded up with gear and people. The 305 is gonna struggle mightily to get up and on plane. The 454 won't care.

As for water ingestion, that was an issue with larger SRs with underwater exhausts - it was a bad design - has no bearing on boats with outdrives.

At 3200 RPM, a 454 will burn about 13 GPH, when properly loaded. I don't know the numbers on a small block. I'd guess probably closer to 9 GPH. Thing is, how fast will you be going at 3200RPM in each boat - then you can figure out MPG, which is probably a more valuable figure. For example, the 454 gives you 26mph at 13gph, you are getting 2mpg. If the 305 gives you 20mph at 9 gph, you'd be doing a bit better.

It's usually best to err on the side of greater power than to underpower a boat. I'd say go with the big block.
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Ron is right on. You've never, and will never, hear someone say I wish I had LESS power.
 
I'm not sure the 305 is bad. My family ran a '78 Caprice to almost 200K without trouble. We had an '82 Olds 307 that went bad, but the knock on that was they used different metals that reacted in it, killing seals, etc. I think everyone had a 305 Chevy at some point in life.

If that is a 210 Sport, it is the prior version of my 205 Sport. My 305 carb engine is a nice workhorse, and gets us on plane with a full load with little effort. I'm not sure the 305 carb is an advantage over the 4.3 EFI, but it does sound nice on the lake.

The bigger boat sounds nice though. Good luck with your choice!
 
CC,

I wouldn't kick the 210 to the side quite yet. Manufacturing methods may have changed quite a bit from '94 to
'01. For example, the 210 may have a composite/fiberglass stringer system and a fiberglass liner vs. wood stringers and carpet glued to a wood sole/floor for the '94. So, you chances of having rot on the 2001 may be less. I believe both will have wooden transoms. I would contact SR and ask the questions. Do a search on Friscoboater and see what issues he faced. I would send him a PM and ask what you should look for in addition to getting survey. In no way am I suggesting the 220 may have these problems. However, it is possible. In addition the 210 will have a three piece windshield with thicker framing vs. a five piece windshield for the 220.

I would not base my purchasing decision on which boat will burn less as the difference will be insignificant in my opinion. They will both burn plenty of fuel. I do not believe the 210 will be under powered by any means.

Take care and good luck.
 
SeaRide said:
CC,

I wouldn't kick the 210 to the side quite yet. Manufacturing methods may have changed quite a bit from '94 to
'01. For example, the 210 may have a composite/fiberglass stringer system and a fiberglass liner vs. wood stringers and carpet glued to a wood sole/floor for the '94. So, you chances of having rot on the 2001 may be less. I believe both will have wooden transoms. I would contact SR and ask the questions. Do a search on Friscoboater and see what issues he faced. I would send him a PM and ask what you should look for in addition to getting survey. In no way am I suggesting the 220 may have these problems. However, it is possible. In addition the 210 will have a three piece windshield with thicker framing vs. a five piece windshield for the 220.

I would not base my purchasing decision on which boat will burn less as the difference will be insignificant in my opinion. They will both burn plenty of fuel. I do not believe the 210 will be under powered by any means.

Take care and good luck.
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I was thinking this same thing. I have heard that most boats 2000 and newer started getting composite stringers installed instead of the wood. I never thought of contacting searay, i might have to do that. Im not buying a boat based on fuel consumption, I am buying based on multiple reasons. I know what a 305 can do in a heavy 20' cuddy. Im sure a fuel injected 305 will be plenty of power for a 210 bowrider. If I can be happy with what 305 can do at wot, why bother with eating up more fuel for a what little more power I will get out of the 454.

Im not ruling out the 454, I do like the layout of it the best. But I am also keeping my eyes open for a 350. Im not in any hurry to purchase, I just want to make sure I buy the right boat for me.

I checked out friscoboaters write-up on Iboats, Very interesting. I learned alot, and what to look for now.
 
Nothong wrong with wood stringers. In fact wood is quieter and some say the ride is nicer. Just be diligent about inspecting everything. Don't be scared of wood because it may rot. Yeah a fiberglass floor is nice but don't be too concerned with stringers being wood if the boat is in good shape.
 
I have a 99 210 sundeck here with the 2bbl carb version of the 5.0 at 220 hp. I normally run in a lake that's about 1400' in elevation with a full 55 gallons of fuel, 4 people and all the junk that follows along. I have no problem at all getting on plane and cruising, or towing tubes, skiers, etc. I will say that adding Smart Tabs certainly enhances the usability. Keeping your passenger weight balanced always helps too. You won't get 55mph out of it so everything is a trade-off.
 
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