Swaymar Marine

[moresparks]

Hi, bit of a long shot but has anyone have any experience on Swaymar Marine Engines?

I am looking at a 380Hp petrol engine that is hand built based on a 6.2L V8 Small Block Chevy 377cid.

They look rather special marine engines with high quality components but although new looks like they are carburettor models and not MPI and tried and tested “mechanicals”. Hoping to visit the factory in the next few days so can see for myself and I know there was a MBY article a few years ago, but it would be nice to have some up to date feedback.

Thank you.

 

[andrewbarker]

I wanted to buy one of their engines - a thing of beauty, especially with its stainless manifolds and risers - but I couldn't afford it although Swaymar were very helpful. I bought a stock 5.7 Mercruiser Vortec instead.

Try as I might, I couldn't get anyone around the Solent to install it and get it running as I wanted. In the end, I got back on to Swaymar.

Although I didn't buy my engine from them, they sent their installation guy over to sort things out.
All I can say is that he did a fabulous job. He picked up on things which no-one else had identified and he seemed to work to his own very high standards rather than trying to get done and away as quickly as possible. He seemed to treat the issues that arose as personal challenges.
Once he had tuned up everything, I had an engine which started and ran sweeter than any other V8 I've had. It was also 8 knots faster than predicted.

 

[moresparks]

I wanted to buy one of their engines - a thing of beauty, especially with its stainless manifolds and risers - but I couldn't afford it although Swaymar were very helpful. I bought a stock 5.7 Mercruiser Vortec instead.

Try as I might, I couldn't get anyone around the Solent to install it and get it running as I wanted. In the end, I got back on to Swaymar.

Although I didn't buy my engine from them, they sent their installation guy over to sort things out.
All I can say is that he did a fabulous job. He picked up on things which no-one else had identified and he seemed to work to his own very high standards rather than trying to get done and away as quickly as possible. He seemed to treat the issues that arose as personal challenges.
Once he had tuned up everything, I had an engine which started and ran sweeter than any other V8 I've had. It was also 8 knots faster than predicted.

Thank you for the information – that’s good to know.

I have spoken to them and they are very helpful and I have been invited to the factory to see a couple of newly built engines.

We do not have a lot of choice in the UK these days for replacement engines unless you trust to luck on a “good” second-hand engine. Companies like Repower Marine only sell the base engine and not complete. A new Mercruiser or Volvo Penta are extremely expensive (for me) and probably not worth it on my boat.

 

[andrewbarker]

Thank you for the information – that’s good to know.

I have spoken to them and they are very helpful and I have been invited to the factory to see a couple of newly built engines.

We do not have a lot of choice in the UK these days for replacement engines unless you trust to luck on a “good” second-hand engine. Companies like Repower Marine only sell the base engine and not complete. A new Mercruiser or Volvo Penta are extremely expensive (for me) and probably not worth it on my boat.

By the way, they did strongly advise me to go with a carburetter and so they fitted a four pot Edelbrock which, in my experience, has proved better than MPI.

 

[SC35]

By the way, they did strongly advise me to go with a carburetter and so they fitted a four pot Edelbrock which, in my experience, has proved better than MPI.

In what ways is a Carb Engine better than MPI?
#interested

 

[andrewbarker]

In what ways is a Carb Engine better than MPI?
#interested

I wouldn't make that generalisation. The specific carb was an Edelbrock 4 barrel fitted new and costing the best part of a grand once fitted.
I've had V8s with Rochester carbs, and 2 V8s with MPI.

In my experience, the Edelbrock was faster firing up, faster pick up from tickover and faster pick up on to the plane (mid rev range).
As I said, the Swaymar guy who fitted it was very, very, particular about the tuning and also the fuel pump etc.

 

[SC35]

Thanks, that makes things clearer.