150 to 175 can you do it?

[Surr]

Just sitting around wondering, could I swap out a 150 EFI on my 1997 181 Champ (new Coosa transom) to the new 175 pro xs. I know I should do the 150 but taking the cowl off to check the oil is a game changer. All the 175s and up you have the access panel to check the oil. Also Im not convinced that 4 cylinders don't have to work harder than my 6 cylinders over the long term. My 1997 Merc EFI still runs great (64mph) on Wednesday, but if I keep the boat I would like to go to the new 4 stroke. It would be about 68 lbs heavier, but I could change the batteries to Lithium and you do get rid of the oil tank, which would make the weight lower than now. Your thoughts would be great.

[mrsturggie]

For what it’s worth, I have a 175 pro xs 2 stroke that I hung on the back of my 95 181 dc. It weighs the same as the efi 150 that was there before. It gets out of its own way a bit better with the 175 but the top end didn’t change at all. By the way, I know you are talkin going 4 stroke also. With that I have no experience. I changed out my lead acid 29s for lithium’s last spring and they made more of an improvement than the 175 to be honest. I didn’t care for the look of the mariner 150 and that was the biggest factor in my changing to the opti style out board. The cost between a 150 and 175 was very minimal and 25 extra hp without extra weight was what got me to go with the 175. Knowing what I know now, I should have left the efi where it was and just put lithium’s in when I needed batteries and had a lot of cash left over to spend on fuel and more tackle that I don’t need.

[STLBassBuster]

David I would skip the 175 and go to a 200 if you can keep the weight about the same with the battery swap. Put 150 decals on it. Otherwise I would run your 150 EFI until it stops which could be a very long time ( a set of carbon fiber reeds & have injectors checked/flowed).

[Surr]

Thanks for the info

[fastfiat]

Surr, don't mean to hijack your thread but can you tell me what prop you running on the 150? I have the same boat with a 150 efi and lucky to get 55 out of it on a good day. Thanks. In

[Surr]

Surr, don't mean to hijack your thread but can you tell me what prop you running on the 150? I have the same boat with a 150 efi and lucky to get 55 out of it on a good day. Thanks. In

My boat came with a 23 Tempest, and the motor was mounted 3rd hole down. I decided not to repower and spend the money just because I liked the looks of the new 4 stroke. If you find the Champion prop chart, thats what they recommend. I just had mine out last week and full tank of gas, by myself, live wells empty, I got 64.2mph. Good luck

[flashnyellow]

Surr, don't mean to hijack your thread but can you tell me what prop you running on the 150? I have the same boat with a 150 efi and lucky to get 55 out of it on a good day. Thanks. In

I gave my 1995 181 to my son when I got my 198.

The 181 has a 6” jack plate, 150 efi, and 23M prop and ran 61 gps at 5600 rpms. Below 3 second hole shot.

Prop to pad is 3 5/8”.

Ronnie

[fastfiat]

I gave my 1995 181 to my son when I got my 198.

The 181 has a 6” jack plate, 150 efi, and 23M prop and ran 61 gps at 5600 rpms. Below 3 second hole shot.

Prop to pad is 3 5/8”.

Ronnie

Thank you.

[fastfiat]

My boat came with a 23 Tempest, and the motor was mounted 3rd hole down. I decided not to repower and spend the money just because I liked the looks of the new 4 stroke. If you find the Champion prop chart, thats what they recommend. I just had mine out last week and full tank of gas, by myself, live wells empty, I got 64.2mph. Good luck

Mine currently has a 24 Trophy. Good holeshot but short on top end. Looks like it's time for a change. Thank you.

[flashnyellow]

Thank you.

You're welcome.