MTS to DTS Conversion

[Fill Ess]

I am planning (hoping) to upgrade my single station/twin engine manual throttle and shift to DTS.

Wondering if anyone here has done this?

I found a great kit, and there was a video done by one of the power boating shows where of course they made it look easy

Would be replacing this:

 

[Ididntdoit]

Hi Phil - hope you had a great season - as for the controls, i gotta ask - Why? DTS scares the crap out of me on a boat - Mercury does not put the time into R&D nor is the marine industry regulated like aerospace or even auto industries. I personally winessed the aftermath of a "runaway" dts boat. in the end its just something else to break - pretty sure you would need a new throttle body, etc

if the shifting is too tight, get new cables (iirc they are 17' and 15') also replace the lower shift cables - you already have the "good" controls (maybe they need to be adjusted/lubed) - if you want separate throttle/shift look into livorsi controls - but stick with cables

 

[Fill Ess]

Hi Mike - thanks for the feedback! As much as I want these I'm also looking for someone to talk me off the ledge if it's a bad idea. And it would be about six bucks I could throw into something else

For pros, the console has warm up, sync and a way to reduce the impact of the throttle when docking. It also keeps the existing TB by using electronic solenoids that work a short cable to the TB and to the lower shift cables. The B3's are off right now so it would be a good time to inspect the lower shift cables.

Mine shifts fine, and the throttles are ok in forward but I've always had an issue with reverse. Maybe it's just me but it has do with neutral on this control being so far back. By the time I shift into reverse idle, then pull back for reverse with throttle, I have a hard time finessing reverse. It's more of a limited range-of-motion thing. When docking I tend to just go in and out of gear and neutral with no extra throttle though.

You're right though -- if I replace the cables and adjust everything it should be better.

 

[Tripsdad]

I don’t have DTS and have never driven a boat with it but when I was looking for boats 3 years ago i would have preferred DTS but ended up with separate shifters and throttles. I would agree with @Ididntdoit to try the adjustments and possible cables before spending that much money.

 

[techmitch]

I am planning (hoping) to upgrade my single station/twin engine manual throttle and shift to DTS.

Wondering if anyone here has done this?

I found a great kit, and there was a video done by one of the power boating shows where of course they made it look easy

Would be replacing this:

View attachment 123344

Hi Phil - hope you had a great season - as for the controls, i gotta ask - Why? DTS scares the crap out of me on a boat - Mercury does not put the time into R&D nor is the marine industry regulated like aerospace or even auto industries. I personally winessed the aftermath of a "runaway" dts boat. in the end its just something else to break - pretty sure you would need a new throttle body, etc

if the shifting is too tight, get new cables (iirc they are 17' and 15') also replace the lower shift cables - you already have the "good" controls (maybe they need to be adjusted/lubed) - if you want separate throttle/shift look into livorsi controls - but stick with cables

Hi Mike - thanks for the feedback! As much as I want these I'm also looking for someone to talk me off the ledge if it's a bad idea. And it would be about six bucks I could throw into something else

For pros, the console has warm up, sync and a way to reduce the impact of the throttle when docking. It also keeps the existing TB by using electronic solenoids that work a short cable to the TB and to the lower shift cables. The B3's are off right now so it would be a good time to inspect the lower shift cables.

Mine shifts fine, and the throttles are ok in forward but I've always had an issue with reverse. Maybe it's just me but it has do with neutral on this control being so far back. By the time I shift into reverse idle, then pull back for reverse with throttle, I have a hard time finessing reverse. It's more of a limited range-of-motion thing. When docking I tend to just go in and out of gear and neutral with no extra throttle though.

You're right though -- if I replace the cables and adjust everything it should be better.

Do the lower shift cables while the drives are off unless you have history on their last replacement. date!
Not crazy about the saying but it's a "no brainer" otherwise.