Need advice! Considering buying $32,000 (plus have to pay to add PerfectPass) used (62 hr) '04 Switch i with 315 hp Tige Vortec carburated engine, but wondering if it's a better idea to get a Switch i with a Vortec MPI engine (which both have more hp) or PCM fuel injected engine with again more hp. Of course then I'd be buying a new '05 for maybe $3,500 more. A local marina says carb'd engines are old tech, harder to cold start (tho we're used to that from our '97 Searay I/O), need more work than fuel injected engines. Local Tige dealer says tho people often put the smaller 315 carb'd engine in to save $3,000, they sell more injected engines and end up working on more...computer chips go on the fritz, etc. Can't go to larger boat cause of slip size limitations. Primarily water skiing family (skiers betw 30-36 mph) tho son does some riding. Is there a maintenance, reliability, performance diff between these engines? Is the extra power desireable or needed? Thanks for any comments.
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were you happy with the carb on your searay?
if cold starts don't bother you then save the $3500.
here in california we see alot of problems in both engines, carb and efi, due to our crappy fuel. off season storage is the killer. carbs clog up but can be cleaned at home. injectors and electric fuel pumps fail and you are towing it to the shop for new parts $200 at least per part plus labor.
315 hp is plenty of power for the switch. also there are plenty of prop options to change your low end performance.Greg Denton
former service mgr. Tige Watersports July 95-July 05 -
I had a 97 Monterey with a carbureted Mercruiser 4.3V6 and the only time I ever - in 7 years - had trouble starting it, was because the battery was dead.
Am I that lucky?Comment
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Switch I
I pick up my 2004 Switch V for only 33600. With the 5.7 mpi 335 Hp. Last June.
I guess I got a grate deal, but with all the boarding we do, and the time we spent on the lake (up to 14 hours in one trip and one tank), I am glad we got the extra horse power (helps to get the big guys out faster)Tige, it's a way of life!Comment
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One thing I can say about the computer that controls the EFI engines, is that it can save your engine. I have a 2002 20i with the 315hp Mercruiser EFI engine. We had the impeller in the water pump fail, and the computer shut the engine down before I could fry it (what can I say, it had been 3 years since I read the manual and didn't realize what the audible warning was trying to tell me, I figured it was what was malfunctioning rather than the engine overheating). The guy who fixed it says that had it been a carburated model, I'd be paying for a new engine! Anyway, he replaced the impeller and checked it all out and I'm back in business! He did comment that that particular engine is an excellent one, and should deliver many hours of trouble free running.Comment
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I own an 04 switch I with fuel injection and love it. I would suggest looking around as I paid for new what you are looking at used with 62 hoursComment
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I own an 04 switch I with fuel injection and love it. I would suggest looking around as I paid for new what you are looking at used with 62 hoursComment
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Just wanted to thank all of you for your comments. Went ahead and after water testing it, bought that 62 hr-used '04 Switch i. Buying any boat always makes me feel like I'm voluntarily jumping off a cliff, but this one did seem clean and our usual mechanic was ok with it. Dealer's adding Perfect Pass at a discount, storing boat for winter/doing spring tuneup/changing impeller for free. Family pleased with upgrades and care that 1st owner put into boat. Now just hope gas prices won't go up too much more!Comment
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