89 octane in 600's
#31
Charter Member #415
Charter Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Jasper,Alabama
Posts: 3,357
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 382 leaves in the morning headed north. We got the issue worked out. This was a very frustrating deal but it did have a happy ending after all for everyone.
#32
Banned
#33
Registered
Another option (though it would void warranty, as little warranty there is on Merc racing engines) is to have the ecu reprogrammed for lower octane fuel, since the boost(wastegate) and timing in that engine are ecu controlled it would not be a big deal to have it tuned to safely run lower octane fuel, probably give up 50-75 horsies though.
#34
Charter Member #415
Charter Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Jasper,Alabama
Posts: 3,357
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually,all Formulas,even 600's,have a 5 year engine and drive warranty thru an outside company called SeaSafe,a company that has been great to deal with. But I got all that covered,customer is happy,I'm happy,bank is happy,my contract driver is happy. And yes a drink or 2 tonight,just sold my 370 and one of my tradein 353's. The reports of the death of the marine industry have been somewhat premature. It may not be great,but it is looking up.Not out of the woods yet,but getting a little closer everyday.
#38
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
phazar is right. Boats USUALLY don't have O2 sensors for good reasons
1) water vapor in the exhaust will kill an O2 sensor very quickly.
2) Boats run a pretty straightforward engine load/throttle opening curve and do not require a closed loop dynamic map for engine operation like a car does.
Boat ECUs are usually mapped aainst a standard load curve, and MAP sensors, coolant temp sensors, knock sensors, throttle position sensors, engine speed sensors, ambient baro and air temp sensors are usually the whole shebang for the realm of boating fuel and spark curve management.
Besides, when is the last time you saw an O2 sensor sticking out of the side of a CMI tailpipe?
Take a peek and then you'll know..
mc
1) water vapor in the exhaust will kill an O2 sensor very quickly.
2) Boats run a pretty straightforward engine load/throttle opening curve and do not require a closed loop dynamic map for engine operation like a car does.
Boat ECUs are usually mapped aainst a standard load curve, and MAP sensors, coolant temp sensors, knock sensors, throttle position sensors, engine speed sensors, ambient baro and air temp sensors are usually the whole shebang for the realm of boating fuel and spark curve management.
Besides, when is the last time you saw an O2 sensor sticking out of the side of a CMI tailpipe?
Take a peek and then you'll know..
mc
#39
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Fresno, CA, 93722, USA
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
I can tell you though, the 600sci will run on 89 octane, 87 is borderline, but 89 will run and will not detonate. Mercury Racing keeps a very large margin for bad gas, hot temps, hot water, overheat, plugged filter, etc. so the 89 will have less margin for error, but with everthing being right, it will certainly run and make 600hp.
I also have some intercooler upgrades that will help it by taking another 25deg F from the system.
Thanks,
Dustin
#40
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Fresno, CA, 93722, USA
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
I am also in Denmark and have Scorpion engines that require 98 RON (91-92 PON). Boat is kept in the water so I have the same problem. There are very few gas stations on land that have the high octane fuel here because of the MTBE content, but I am lucky that there is one gas station in my town that has the high octane fuel and it is on my way to the boat so I also use cans to carry the fuel and really it is no problem. If I go for a longer trip and need to refuel at a marina to be able to return home I carry an octane booster.
Also keep in mind, you could slap a set of the Etec heads from Edelbrock on this engine and you'll basically make the same power, but you can easily do it on 87 octane.
Thanks,
Dustin