350 Carb to EFI questions
 

Guys, I'm on the hunt for a go-fast boat. 25-27'. I've been on the market for a few months. Sold my BMW since I've been looking. I really like the Outlaw 25 with a 502 or 496. Late 90's to early 2000's. But they are pretty darn expensive still for a 15-17yr old boat. I've since taken a break from looking for a boat and started looking again this morning. I really think I'm going to go with an older good condition boat. I like the idea of having 2 motors. WTH do you do if your 1 engine dies!!!?? It's not like it's a 14' jon boat I had as a teenager and could paddle it back to the boat ramp. Or run on a trolling electric motor. I'm a hands on gear head. Built motors for my supras, do all my own vehicle mods and maintenance and even worked on our family 4.3L Merc Carb 18' sting ray boat back in the mid 90's. So.... I think I'm going to go with an older, dual 350 Carb boat. Like this:

https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/5155080255.html

Love the way the older boats look!! And having 2 SMALL blocks is a plus. What all is involved with converting these things to EFI? I'm thinking doing the MSD or ACCEL hot rod kits. They're not really intended for marine application though. But I'm sure would work. TBI system. Thoughts? input? thanks.

I would not waste your time with a TBI system. Go marine Holley or get a MEFI-X and all the assorted necessities. Keep in mind you will likely be adding another 4-6K to EFI both motors for that setup. If it is nothing but a fun project and you have money to burn, go for it. If money is an issue keep the carbs and have fun. I love EFI but it does not make sense for that boat in my opinion.

lots of $$$ for little gain in my opinion

^ yes agreed after searching around more. For whatever reason I thought the EFI kits were cheaper by now. EFI kits would be worth half the boat! That boat sold by the way.... quickly. But I've realized that 1- I can spend about 8-12k on a older, well kept boat and still be happy and meet my objective of power boating. And 2- Carbs are fine. The money I save on the boat buys a lot of gas! But I am pretty set on a 27' dual 350 setup like the 272 SR1's. Setup wise, I love it. Thanks for the input guys...

Good luck finding an older well kept twin engine boat for 8-12k.

Ive seen some formula 242's with twins pop up for sale. There is a Formula 255 liberator with twin SBC for sale on CL in Kalamazoo Mi for $5000
There is a 1979 24' Monza for sale on CL in Grand Rapids MI for $5000

Yes, but have you gone and looked at their condition? They may be more "Craigslist Gold" than something you would want to own. Also, take a look at how much room you are going to have in the engine compartment of any of those vessels. Spark plugs may prove to be a challenge as well as working on front engine accessories.

Just my $0.02

^? So newer boats have more room in the engine bay? I'm used to working on and modifying late model BMW's. zero room.

Br1dgemann, your kinda right. I was thinking about the Formula 255. They have a ton of room around the side of the engine. Also I know that on my 242 LS that the back seat is removable. My Scarab is a different story. BBC's with log manifolds. There is enough room in front to the engine for me to sit and look at the front. Inside spark plugs are easy. The outside ones I have to become a contortionist to get to them

I'm eyeing a early 90's bird with Bravo 1's and 454's. 365hp ea. I think the tightest job I ever did was down pipes on my 335i. While laying on my back on the garage floor. Ungodly.

What I am saying is that shorter length, twin engine vessels with narrow beams may prove to be very challenging when the time comes to work on them. Even big-blocks vs small blocks will make a difference (Compare a Formula 272 SR1 with big blocks vs small blocks) when it comes time to work on them. Something as simple as a raw water impeller change on a bravo set-up will have you cursing up a storm while standing on your head.

Some manufacturers try to mitigate access issues with removable seats or partial seat attached to the engine hatch. You definitely need to visit every candidate in the field and see for yourself how much of a bear working on it will be as well as the overall condition. Pictures don't always tell the full truth.

Best of luck in your search. I hope you find something you will be happy with!

^Good point. This boat I found is through one of those online dealer leads... I don't understand why boat shopping isn't more like autotrader.com or alike. Boats have all these website. You send out a generic contact link and some yahoo emails you back pressuring you to look at the boat. No info nothing. what a joke.

Find an 87-89 272 SR1 with 320 EFI's.
SB size/weight, BB HP and bravo drives.

They are very hard to find but definitely run strong. Mine have ~650 hrs on them and still push the boat to 65+.
My boat may be for sale this spring but it will not be for 12k, will have new interior and power. Or buy as is for 14.

Jon01- They made EFI's in those years!!?? What kind of motors? 350's with EFI? Probably a TBI EFI system. I want two of my 5.3L SB's I have in my '14 Silverado. That engine is beyond sweet with Direct Injection... but it's a 2014. Not a 1990.

They are 350's - multi port injection, similar to the tuned port used on Corvette's and Camaro's of the era.
Very rare but very very cool motors and strong runners. Forged cranks, good rods, good pistons, roller cams, etc...

I have thought of LS swapping mine, still kicking it around but leaning back towards just refreshing these. They work and run strong and SBC parts are cheap.
If it does get swapped it will be a pair of 4" bore motors...just have to be careful to get it done right so as to not get too out of line with the boat's value.
All of the little things add up - closed cooling, exhaust, high capacity oil pans...and when doing twins you need 2 of everything...