It has been an interesting couple of days as I have been researching
the small engine market for engines in the 50-100 hp range. The other
day I mentioned Marine Engine & Repair(MER) in Seattle and this
morning the folks who were gone to Fish Expo last week are back to
answer questions. There is a lot of turmoil in this part of the
engine spectrum and I think some of you may find the following to be useful.
MER builds a line of marine diesel engines based on various Yanmar
and Isuzu blocks.
The Isuzu 4JB1 engine block has been used in their MP-70 engines; it
is about 70 hp at 3000 rpm, 169 cu. in.
That block no longer meets emissions standards and they are replacing
it with an engine based on a Yanmar block.
All of these versions were based on an engine that did NOT have a
turbo.. The new engine will not have a turbo. But all the engines
larger this will have a turbo.
The new engine will meet the newer emissions standards and the price
is about $7500. This is a bobtail version without transmission. Which
brings us to the debate about, to turbo or not to turbo?
The number of available engines that will meet emission standards
without a turbo is diminishing by the day. Of course the turbo adds
an expensive, high precision mechanical device which is quite
reliable but still a possibility for failure. It is hard to decide
whether to hang tuff for a non turbo engine or take the plunge and
install a turboed engine.
My take on this is that if you want to go around the world, you might
want to avoid the turbo and if operating in areas near good mechanics
then opt for the turbo.
Mike
Capt. Mike Maurice
Tualatin(Portland), Oregon
It has been an interesting couple of days as I have been researching
the small engine market for engines in the 50-100 hp range. The other
day I mentioned Marine Engine & Repair(MER) in Seattle and this
morning the folks who were gone to Fish Expo last week are back to
answer questions. There is a lot of turmoil in this part of the
engine spectrum and I think some of you may find the following to be useful.
MER builds a line of marine diesel engines based on various Yanmar
and Isuzu blocks.
The Isuzu 4JB1 engine block has been used in their MP-70 engines; it
is about 70 hp at 3000 rpm, 169 cu. in.
That block no longer meets emissions standards and they are replacing
it with an engine based on a Yanmar block.
All of these versions were based on an engine that did NOT have a
turbo.. The new engine will not have a turbo. But all the engines
larger this will have a turbo.
The new engine will meet the newer emissions standards and the price
is about $7500. This is a bobtail version without transmission. Which
brings us to the debate about, to turbo or not to turbo?
The number of available engines that will meet emission standards
without a turbo is diminishing by the day. Of course the turbo adds
an expensive, high precision mechanical device which is quite
reliable but still a possibility for failure. It is hard to decide
whether to hang tuff for a non turbo engine or take the plunge and
install a turboed engine.
My take on this is that if you want to go around the world, you might
want to avoid the turbo and if operating in areas near good mechanics
then opt for the turbo.
Mike
Capt. Mike Maurice
Tualatin(Portland), Oregon
