Ford vs. Chevy

Wood Shampoo · 03-29-2001, 04:33 PM

While shopping for a new sled, I have notice that the majority of the boat makers sell their boats with Ford engines. Is there any reason for this or is it just personal preference? I don't have a preference, other than it must run when I turn the key over in the morning every time! Any thoughts?

boater · 03-29-2001, 05:00 PM

i like the new chev vortec`s and have had nothing but good luck with them

Fish4Fun · 03-29-2001, 05:29 PM

wtbarrong,

The question that you have asked is sort of easy to answer if you know much about engines. Both are very reliable, and perform well in boats. Fords make more low end power and torque. Chevy's are more mid range and top end type of engines. It all has to do with the heads and the valve sizes. Most of the competion ski boats use Fords for the out of the hole pulling power. Chevy's work great in jet boats where the throtlle is up most of the time. I hope this helps.

boater · 03-29-2001, 06:47 PM

get a 350 chev and a 212 pump and you will love it. just my 2 cents worth.

[ 03-29-2001: Message edited by: boater ]

backlash · 03-29-2001, 07:46 PM

Wtbarrong, Actually the reverse is true. Chevrolet is the most dominant now, simply because Ford no longer produces the 302,351 or 460. The motors that are out there now are all thats left.

Wood Shampoo · 03-30-2001, 07:45 AM

Has anyone heard of any boat maker that is using the Toyota V8? I know there is a ski boat that uses it, and they rave about its performance.

blast and cast · 03-30-2001, 08:05 AM

wtbarrong, Toyota has put a V8 in boats since 1998. It is in their own line of ski boats called the Epic. I do not know of any other boats that run it. The motor is a 4.7 Liter called the VT300i, or iforceV8. The motor has an alluminum block and cylinders and runs a stainless exhaust. The boat motor turns out 300 hp. It is the same motor that is used in the V8 Tundra and the Lexus V8's.

Wood Shampoo · 03-30-2001, 12:24 PM

Big Willie,

Here are the specs for the Toyota engine that I got off of their web site (http://marine.toyota.com)

VT300i 4.0-liter V- 8
300 horsepower/310 ft. lbs. torque
300 horsepower @ 6000 RPM
310 ft. lbs. torque @ 4000 RPM

They stated that this is the same engine that is in the GS400!

[ 03-30-2001: Message edited by: wtbarrong ]

boater · 03-30-2001, 12:32 PM

chevy does not offer the 350 or 454 anymore in there light pickups, they have the 292,325,365 and 496, but with a ton of them out there i doubt parts will ever be hard to get and i`m sure they are still make them but for how long, who know`s, pretty soon these new generation vortec`s will take there place, the 496 is already being put in boats, just my 2 cents worth

Rippenlips · 03-30-2001, 08:12 PM

[img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] You guys should see the torque curve on the Lexus engine. VVTi meens variable valve timming with intelligence.(something I don't have with spelling) Its not like the Honda were it is either on or off it is actually variable. It makes huge torque down low and then changes the cam timming to keep it up until the higher rmp's. I get to drive them all day [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] They are also 300 pounds lighter than a small block chevy. If some one has the money I'll install it in anything you want!

Rippenlips · 03-30-2001, 08:15 PM

Oh ya, I've only seen one Lexus V8 go bad in ten years. Not like Chevy and Fords. I worked at a Ford dealer for 6 months and replace 12 engines under warranty. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Rippenlips · 03-30-2001, 11:39 PM

I think the motor is a 4 liter GS 400 VVTi. The 4.7 is not VVTi and is in the LX470 and Tundra. It also has a cast iron block. Lexus made all there 4.0's into 4.3 liter engines this year. The boat uses a modified Australian engine ECM. If you tried to buy the engine it would probably be around 15k. I'm at work and don't have time to verify but I think this info is correct. They do have a web page but I don't have the address at work. There is a dealer in Portland the last time I checked. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

blast and cast · 03-30-2001, 11:50 PM

Rippenlips, Your are probably right. I was going on what my old roommate told me. Sorry, if I had the wrong data.

Big Willie · 03-30-2001, 11:55 PM

Outlaw hit it on the head...Ford's offer more torque at a lower rpm, hence better for ski boats. I'm a Ford guy, but the Chevy's might be better for sled's. They are always in the 3000-4000 rpm range. But, you can always build a Ford for more rpm. Of course your fuel mileage will suffer from all those top end horsies. I believe both Ford and Chevy marine blocks are different than what you would find your pickup. I would love to see Fords 5.4 in a new North River. Lots of hp and torque.
B & C...what rpm is that Toyota hp being made? What about the torque?

boater · 04-01-2001, 02:10 PM

i`d look at the sportjets, they are the top of the line, they dont get any better than this.....(april f [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]ls)

Jerry · 04-01-2001, 02:20 PM

Once again boater is showing us his intelligence...

WaterDog · 04-01-2001, 02:47 PM

And if there was any doubt who dogsalmon is I think it's gone. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Can't wait til my SPORTJET powered boat arrives. Looking foward to many years of service! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

boater · 04-01-2001, 06:06 PM

thanks jerry, i knew somebody would agree with me about sportjets [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]