merc. 8.1 ???

top dog · Post by **top dog** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:04 pm

hello from miami florida, i was wondering if anyone has repowered or knows someone who has put some merc. 8.1's in their 33bert. and if so how was there performance...Thanx.. Pete

top dog · Post by **top dog** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:14 pm

never mind guys i found some other posts on the subject if i do go with the 8.1 do i need new tranny or can i keep my 63as

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Sun May 04, 2008 6:07 pm

Peter, Tim over in Naples repowered Photo Finish with the 8.1's. Don't remember what his previous trannys were, but he needed new ones as well as shafts & props. Al

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Mon May 05, 2008 4:14 am

When i had the 8.1 installed they came with new trannys. Not sure if you can use the old ones.

Post by **dougl33** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:10 am

The old trans won't work as a counter rotation engine is no longer made.

h2ojst · Post by **h2ojst** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:29 am

Hi Pete, I just completed my repower/refit with 8.1's & Borg Warner 5000 series 8 degree down angle trany's. I'm just in Fort Lauderdale if you want to take a look. Just purchased a new set of 4 blades, so I'm not quite "tweaked" enough to give you any performance results. I can certainly tell you it's better than carbs. Very smooth, quiet, & much more economical. 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Fort Lauderdale, FL

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:27 pm

Doug is right , the tranz has to be changed.

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Sat May 24, 2008 7:38 am

I repowered with Merc 8.1 3 years ago and am very happy. I have the smartcraft gauges so the fuel flow is very acurate. Cruise at 3500 rpm is 22-23 knots 30 gals per hour. Slow cruise is 3000 rpm 20 knots 22 gals per hour. WOT is 4600 rpm 31 knots and a whopping 70 gals per hour. Guess I won't be running at WOT much this year with gas prices at this level. Was worried about ethanol but a good tank cleaning and short filter changes have the tank looking as good as new.

top dog · Post by **top dog** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:25 am

thanx for info bob i am doing some reaserch to maybe repower..Pete

Post by **dougl33** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:06 am

Bob, Long time no hear. Did you see the thread on the New England get together on the main page? It's going to be at Brewer's in Plymouth again. It's the weekend of Fri Aug 22nd and Sat Aug 23rd. So far we've got 8 boats coming.