mtnskiskate Posted March 26, 2020 Share Posted March 26, 2020 Anyone have thoughts on the 343 EX with the Catanium option? Problems, longevity, advantages. Totaled boat forces upgrade. I assume the base block is identical to my 330 excaliber, just not sure about the newer technology. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ski_Dad Posted March 27, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 27, 2020 i believe they are both 5.7L engines. There is probably little difference in power. My friends 200 had ton's of power out of the hole with the 343 engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnskiskate Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 Thanks for the reply. I am mostly concerned about the longevity and complexity of a cat engine. I started with an 81 nautique (carb 351) and worked my way through gt40s and the ex 330. All straight manifolds and very reliable. Just wondering........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Bruce_Butterfield Posted March 27, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted March 27, 2020 @mtnskiskate what is your context? looking at an cat vs non-cat boat? The cat engines have been our for 8-10 years (?) and I haven't heard of any issues related to the converter. While I would prefer not to have one, they are largely transparent and required for emissions and to save the planet. You won't be able to buy a newer boat without the cat. If it was easy, they would call it Wakeboarding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnskiskate Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 Hopefully you have answered my question. I am all for saving the planet and keeping my lake clean. I have searched for any info (positive or negative) on the cat engines and just haven't found anything. Thought maybe the guys with the 200s would chime in and say after x amount of hrs, no problems. Certainly wasn't trying to belittle technology, just looking for input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller RAWSki Posted March 27, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 27, 2020 Our club has a 200 with the Catanium and absolutely no issues at all. Over a 1000 hours the engine is solid. Follow the suggest regular maintenance intervals and you will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Jody_Seal Posted March 27, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted March 27, 2020 Have a lot of hours on the old red 196. It's a 6.0. It has had its manifolds changed way back in 2010 only because it was a factory boat and PCM wanted to update to the units that facilitate the vent plugs and updated cooling.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnskiskate Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 Thanks everyone, I will proceed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimski Posted March 27, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 27, 2020 I know the earlier cat models had some cooling issues and over heated and cracked the manifolds I would look into the updated cooling like @Jody_Seal mentioned When I bought my 2011 I looked for a pre cat model for that reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ RichardDoane Posted March 27, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted March 27, 2020 our cat engine (2015 CP0 had the first generation cat manifolds that cracked and leaked coolant internally at about 900 hours. The moisture caused a misfire and check engine light, and O2 sensor codes. Fresh manifolds were about $800 each and fixed the problem (they are a re-designed casting and hopefully won't crack again) IT's a great tow boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnskiskate Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 This is GOOD info. Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rockdog Posted March 30, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2020 I have one cat manifold currently leaking in the recess where the oxygen sensor goes. The other is a slightly different manifold which I believe was replaced at some point. Guessing that it's a re-designed one @RichardDoane speaks of as the way it's made doesn't allow for any leaking. Appears to be moulded in there rather than having a plate affixed in the back somehow. Pretty pissed off actually given the cost of a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Gar Posted March 30, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2020 @rockdog maybe JB Weld or Marine Tex will work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted March 30, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2020 Discovered a leak once. Traced to a small crack about 3/8 in. visible at one of the freeze plugs. Put some MarineTex on it. Let it dry, sanded and painted it. Ran it over a 1,000 hours and never had another drip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rockdog Posted March 31, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2020 @Gar yes I actually have put JB weld in there - twice. I put the first bit in very thoroughly I thought but it still leaked a little. Then I used an engraver to sand/grind it back and put some more JB in and it still leaks just the tiniest bit. It's a very fine spray. That recess in there is very difficult to get to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller aupatking Posted March 31, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2020 Anyone know the weight of the Excalibur engine w/o cats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted April 1, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted April 1, 2020 FYI - Pretty sure that weight includes the trans in case you were wondering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller aupatking Posted April 1, 2020 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2020 I need a weight number for a shipper. Engine only, but with all it’s dressing (manifolds, risers,....). No trans weight needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted April 1, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted April 1, 2020 PCM trans is right around 60 lbs. I found that data online IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted April 1, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted April 1, 2020 Power curves are also posted here - https://gmpowertrain.com/marine.html Use tab on right to look at specific unit. Individual marinizer calibrations will impact power levels some but this gives a good reference point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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