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Absolutely do not put a V6 in that boat. You will regret it. I had the exact same boat with the 4.3 (carbed) in it, and it was a joke. Sea Ray should have never offered that boat with such a low power engine. Since you already have a V8 in your 230, it would make much more sense to drop in a carbed Vortec 350 (5.7)

Thanks for the responses
If I've done the maths correctly, our 5.0 carb engine was 190hp from factory. The EFI v6 has 220 hp and I should have pointed out that we never run WOT and my goal is good range at slow-fast cruise. Also do the throttle/shift cables bolt/connect to EFI engines the same?
Cheers.

 

I'm pretty sure the 4.3 runs a different drive ratio,something to consider.

 

Thanks again for the replies
The news for today is I found the leak to be a corroded y pipe, which can be replaced fairly easy but the transom assembly is also corroded a little in the lower corner radius. I see a "repair gasket" is available on ebay could anyone confirm if this could work?
Cheers

 

Scott you are spot on. HP is nothing without torque. Thats what a V8 brings to the table. HP will get you on plane and torque will keep you there. My 5.0 is good in Old Skools 20 foot hall but I could not image it in a 22-23 footer. Hate to think what a 4.3 injected or not would be like.

 

I don't think the old 5.0L has that much less torque than the 4.3 mpi but we will never know since mercury keeps that basic information secret. But everybody's right don't go backwards. Get a 350 and then you will have a well powered boat. It will cost more upfront but be worth every penny.

 

Darylle, I don't know the answer to your problems but here is some possibly useful info for later...

I have twin 5.0's now and my boat and many just like it came with twin 4.3's. If I have problems with either motor, I will be putting twin 350's in it. I would rather have the power and not use it than sit with the bow in the air counting to 10 wishing I did.

 

if I had a choice of 4.3 to a 5.0 (305 chevy) I would do the 4.3, mpi is that much better. I know years ago when I was into the 19 footer's. The 4.3 would preform just like a 5.0 with less gas because of the less wieght. 4.3 to a 350, take the 350.

I would not buy that sized planing boat with that little amount of power. Needs aleast a 350 ci or a big block.

 

The best of both worlds IMO is 6.2. Same size and weight with more torque at the low end. There are tons of aftermarkets. The money you save over OEM Merc will fuel you for a llllooooooooonnnnnnngggggg time.

 

Are you looking to replace the outdrive as well?

 

I agree that the 5.7 is the way to go. The 4.3 has a much better power to weight ratio than the 5.0, but IMO, won't be enough for the 230DA. You can keep the same drive and go boating.

 

Wait a few months and get the new 4.5L, 250hp Mercruiser V6. Lighter, more fuel efficient than the 5.0L, and more HP than the 4.3L V6.

 

Thank you everyone for the replies
At this point in time after a good result from a compression test I will repace the Y pipe and the coupler and a coupl of other bits and pieces and drop the 5.0 back in. Although that new 250 hp v6 sounds nice! Maybe when the out drive fails I will replace everything.