Engine Opinion on Tamd 63,73,74 or 75 Fairline targa

[jon and michie]

Hi - this is just for opinion purposes from a engineer's point of view down to a servicing point of view.
Fairline Targa 43's to 2005 what is the best engine to have ??
I was initially thinking the Tamd 75 but there is some with the 63's installed

There is the point that the 63 is totally mechanical so no ecu problems to encounter but that said the 75's with the ecu from what I have gathered wont have the ecu failing provided that the mains electricity is disconnected before starting the engine up - So is it a toss up between the 75 or the 63 ??

All opinions welcomed
Jon

 

[philipdawsonladds]

I have twin 63's and love the fact that they are simple to maintain, bullet proof and ultra reliable. The only issues have been with the retro fitted electronic throttle controllers

 

[volvopaul]

Hi - this is just for opinion purposes from a engineer's point of view down to a servicing point of view.
Fairline Targa 43's to 2005 what is the best engine to have ??
I was initially thinking the Tamd 75 but there is some with the 63's installed

There is the point that the 63 is totally mechanical so no ecu problems to encounter but that said the 75's with the ecu from what I have gathered wont have the ecu failing provided that the mains electricity is disconnected before starting the engine up - So is it a toss up between the 75 or the 63 ??

All opinions welcomed
Jon

The engine is not connected to the mains unless your thinking about your on board battery charger , ECU failure on these models is so far unexplained unless you talk to Norsk on here who I’m told can repair them .

My friend Clive owned one which I believe is for sale , not the Eastbourne one with the 63s , i sea trialed it with him prior to purchase and we both looked at each other when it was flat out , we agreed that for the sake of 2/3 knots at the top end it wasn’t w buying one with the 74/75 engines .

 

[petem]

If you're worried about ECU failure then just buy a spare ECU. You can always sell it when you sell the boat.

 

[jon and michie]

Thank you @philipdawsonladds @volvopaul @petem

@petem - I am not too worried about ecu failure its more which tamd engine is the best version to get in a targa 43 - on a 63 as @volvopaul says if its only 2 or 3 knots lower than a 75 then its really not that critical so that then leaves the question on the 63 maintenance, parts availability etc etc.

 

[jon and michie]

The engine is not connected to the mains unless your thinking about your on board battery charger , ECU failure on these models is so far unexplained unless you talk to Norsk on here who I’m told can repair them .

Yes I was thinking of the onboard charger connected to the mains - my error there
Jon

 

[oldgit]

ECU on Ebay at the moment, probably about £4K after shipping and taxes. assume that you will need to get somebody to make it work in your boat.
VOLVO PENTA TAMD 74 75 NEW BLANK ELECTRONIC EDC ECU ENGINE CONTROL UNIT 3818190 | eBay

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

The Targa 43 goes good with all three engines, the big engines Tamd74 or 75 480hp is the favorite easier to sell. In a sport cruiser speed sells.
But Tamd 63 370 T43s, are good for 31/32 knots here in the Med and consumption numbers are still in the 4 litres per nautical mile region.

The Targa 43 had two important lets call them more desirable features in its 1997 to 2005 production, and that was the big engines and the bigger tender garage variant for 2003 model year or newer.

 

[jon and michie]

The Targa 43 goes good with all three engines, the big engines Tamd74 or 75 480hp is the favorite easier to sell. In a sport cruiser speed sells.
But Tamd 63 370 T43s, are good for 31/32 knots here in the Med and consumption numbers are still in the 4 litres per nautical mile region.

The Targa 43 had two important lets call them more desirable features in its 1997 to 2005 production, and that was the big engines and the bigger tender garage variant for 2003 model year or newer.

@PowerYachtBlog thank you for your reply - interesting read so from 2003 the garage floor was v shaped ? as I have seen flat shaped floors on some t43's for sale

 

[kashurst]

I had a Targa 43 with 63ps in it.
It wasn't the quickest out of the gate but ran very well.
63ps are getting on now so despite being simple it would be worth changing external oil feeds and checking turbo connections. The turbos don't last forever on any boat engine so factor potentially a new pair on what ever variation you go with.

 

[jon and michie]

I had a Targa 43 with 63ps in it.
It wasn't the quickest out of the gate but ran very well.
63ps are getting on now so despite being simple it would be worth changing external oil feeds and checking turbo connections. The turbos don't last forever on any boat engine so factor potentially a new pair on what ever variation you go with.

Thank you @kashurst - good points worth noting

 

[petem]

ECU on Ebay at the moment, probably about £4K after shipping and taxes. assume that you will need to get somebody to make it work in your boat.
VOLVO PENTA TAMD 74 75 NEW BLANK ELECTRONIC EDC ECU ENGINE CONTROL UNIT 3818190 | eBay

You can buy them direct from Volvo for not much more than that.

 

[petem]

I have twin 63's and love the fact that they are simple to maintain, bullet proof and ultra reliable. The only issues have been with the retro fitted electronic throttle controllers

What make are the retrofit electronic throttle controls?

If I was buying a 63 engine boat then I'd budget for an electronic throttle kit.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

What make are the retrofit electronic throttle controls?

If I was buying a 63 engine boat then I'd budget for an electronic throttle kit.

Me too. So much nicer than cables, albeit so much more to go wrong…!

 

[jon and michie]

You can buy them direct from Volvo for not much more than that.

or try and get it repaired by Norsk

 

[jon and michie]

What make are the retrofit electronic throttle controls?

If I was buying a 63 engine boat then I'd budget for an electronic throttle kit.

How much roughly would one of these kits cost and is it a fairly easy install ?

 

[stelican]

Re Electronic controls Targa 43.
If you do go down the 63P engine route I wouldn't be too concerned about having cable controls.They do not have the stiffness that you find on boats with sterndrives or on flybridge boats with the tight cable sweeps and dual station gear selectors.

 

[petem]

How much roughly would one of these kits cost and is it a fairly easy install ?

£2-3k for parts and fitting I'd guess.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

£2-3k for parts and fitting I'd guess.

A quick google suggests it could easily be triple that. Glendinning for example, twin throttle head £1600, actuator box and pack for twin diesels £4700. Allow £1200 for fitting and you’re at £8500 maybe good to live with the cables and see how they go!

I’ve no doubt a cheaper option would exist.

 

[petem]

A quick google suggests it could easily be triple that. Glendinning for example, twin throttle head £1600, actuator box and pack for twin diesels £4700. Allow £1200 for fitting and you’re at £8500 maybe good to live with the cables and see how they go!

I’ve no doubt a cheaper option would exist.

Wow!