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Bob999 via BoatKB.com Bob999 via BoatKB.com is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jun 2008
Posts: 1
Default Convert to Throttle Body FI

Jere Lull wrote:
Now that gas prices have our attention, it would make sense to convert my
1989 5.7L Alpha One Mercruiser I/O from carburetor to throttle body injection.
A few years ago, when it was marginally economic, I remember ads in several
boating magazines for throttle body conversion kits (remove the carburetor
and bolt in the TBI). I can't find them anymore, even with Google. Does
anyone know if these are still available and where I can get one?


I'm a fan of throttle body injection, but if it's marginal, you might
investigate something a dockmate said *drastically* improved his
consumption: Switching to higher gearing and larger props.

Wish I could remember more, but in the sailboat world, a similar change
just about doubled economy.

From the other commentators, it appears that monkeying with the fuel system
is a non-starter. But the props I've reviewed were a tradeoff between
diameter and pitch (higher pitch/smaller diameter). Do you have to do both
at the same time? Like if I buy a new, higher geared lower unit does it come
with a larger diameter prop?
(My recollection is that it was a 30% improvement, but that sounds high
for a planing boat. Still, a new prop alone can give 10%, so maybe
that's not so farfetched.)


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