225, 260, 280

[RedAllison]

I think it would be an incredible motor on an 02, high 80s maybe even 90 with a fishing load and fantastic gas mileage. They however are about like unicorns.

You talkin about a 200xs? If so they will easily put a 02 in the 90s!

 

[2003225X]

Are you tourney fishn? If yes then any tourneys rated 250+ will rule out the 2.5s.

The 225X was, is, forever will be THE sweetest small block Duece n a qwatuh EVER built. The only way MuthaMerc could outdo it now is to release a 225-250 XS based small block & I don't see that limited application motor coming anytime soon.

If you put 50-60hrs a yr or so on your motor then the 280 will be alot better fishn motor than most think! The 60A charging system is great, combined with a Stealth type system it's perfect. The 280 gets nearly equal mileage as a 225 if you keep the throttle under 6500Rs. The 280 can go well over 200hrs as well between freshenings if you keep good oil & fuel in it & keep the needle south of 7k quite often. That's ALOT of "under-utilization" of a 280 but they are much better lake motors than most think. ALOT more fisherman friendly than the 260. I LOVE the 260s but that's only for lake racin, not deekn around fishn n seein the lakes.

And I agree with Tony... Is your 200 a 2.5? If so that would be a cheaper, easier route to go if you want a 240-250hp, bulletproof fishn motah!!!

Yep... and IF you have a 280 and keep it under 6500 rpms for fuel mileage and IF you keep it under 7000 rpms for extended rebuild times then there would be no real point in having a 280 would there?

I have seen a 280 run side by side with a 225x on the same boat... and it didn't matter what rpms they were turning the 280 was getting close to 2 miles less per gallon. And the injectors were flowed on the motor so they were not flooding...

When you are only getting 5-6mpg to begin with decreasing your fuel mileage by 2 miles per every gallon is significant.

 

[2003225X]

A 225x on a most xb 2002s should be a 98 to 100mph boat.

 

[mdevrow]

225 ProMax could be an option!!
Very EASY to modify the ProMax: Fuel,RPM,Compression,intake,Exhaust These motors will come alive if set up right. The 225x Good motors but hard to Modify better to leave them stock!! JMO Find a 225 promax Modify/refesh add a promax SVS and scream on the weekends.

 

[whipper]

225 ProMax could be an option!!
Very EASY to modify the ProMax: Fuel,RPM,Compression,intake,Exhaust These motors will come alive if set up right. The 225x Good motors but hard to Modify better to leave them stock!! JMO Find a 225 promax Modify/refesh add a promax SVS and scream on the weekends.

What he said. I would do a few things to a 225SS promax and you will get great performance and long long life. 96-98 15 inch pm, 33cc heads,Brucato acu with 7500 rpm limitter,Premix, And a sick gearcase with 187 gears. You will have a 100+mph 02 and trouble free.

 

[Myron]

I am in the middle of trying to decide what to put back on my 2003, I built a 280 all new nick, wizzard pistons bearings etc, had a ring eat thru the pin, now re-nic again for pistons, bearings, etc. this motor was a 7000- 7500 max rpm, I fish 90 % of the time, as you all know the parts for Mercury Hi perf motors are out of this world, I am really toying with putting a 225 pro max back on.

 

[Bobalouie]

A 225x on a most xb 2002s should be a 98 to 100mph boat.

If running with no equipment and 5 gal of gas, but not with any load or 2 up in a boat ready to fish.