ETEC 225 HO RPM Question

I have a question about the ETEC 225 HO. It seems that everyone that I know that is running this engine on bass boats is having issues getting RPMS out of this motor. Everyone knows that the Evinrude DFI HO was hard to prop on any bass boat. Those DFI's would all turn 6000 RPMS with 27 and 28 pitch props. I personally know a guy who was running a Stratos 200 Pro XL with a 225 HO DFI. This guy was turning a 27 Tempest to 6000 consistently. The same guy now has a new 200 Pro XL with a 225 Etec HO and the best RPMS he can get out of the motor is 5600 with the same set up. Speed is down somewhat too. What is the deal with these motors. I have read a lot of posts on this website as well as others about not getting RPMs out of these Etecs. Is the lower unit gear ratio different for the Etec? Are the Etec's not as strong due to the exhaust restrictions that muffle the sound of the engine? Does anyone know what the actual reason for this is?

Even dealers are telling me that the Etec HO is slower than the old DFI HO. Is that correct?

Thank You.

Live hard, would you add your name to your profile?

Do You have a E-Tec?

Done.

Rusty,
I do not have an Etec yet. I will purchase a new boat and motor this winter / early spring. Therefore, I have tried to research all of the engines. I have run a couple of DFI HO's but not the Etec. I have spoken to a lot of guys that already have the Etec and they keep coming back to me with the same RPM issue. My question here is simply research for my next purchase.

I have had an '05 200 Pro XL w/ 225 H.O. E-Tec and had no trouble getting any rpms I wanted out of the motor. A lot has to do with setup. I could turn a 28 Raker, a 29 ASX, and a 30 Raker to whatever rpm I wanted by adjusting my setup. For a two man tournament load, the 28 Raker did the best. I was running 77-78 gps'd with this load turning 5600-5700 rpms. I could run 79 with the ASX with a slightly lighter load, but the bow just didn't lift to my liking and I could reach over 80 with the 30 Raker, but holeshot was very slow and it was harder to carry a load.

There is no problem with these motors turning the correct rpms. I know of too many that are running exactly where they need to. The E-tec does not turn as many rpms as the older 'Rudes, and they put out PLENTY of power and gobs of torque.

This was by far the best boat/motor I have ever owned. If they are having rpm issues, it's going to be due to setup 99% of the time.

1nicestratos, I am glad that you have such confidence in the etec. Your response confirms that the etec does not turn as many rpms as the older DFI. What is the reason for this? That is my question.

Thank You.

I have no problem getting my etec to turn the r's, and it will turn just as many rpms as my old DFI did.

It will turn them. But it's not needed. There's no need to run the E-tec H.O. at 6000 rpms (operating range is between 4500-5800 rpms).

My 03 DI is turning 5700-5900 like a top and they don't want me to turn it any more The E-Tec will do the same with the correct setup!

turnin 5750rpm@77.2 in tr21x 225ho etech 28 raker.