volvo penta 5.7 GXI engine efi or convert to carb

[andyc]

Hi chaps, I am renewing my Volvo penta V8 engine using a near new GXI engine as a doner for a new vortec long block. and was wondering if anyone has experience with the volvo penta5.7 GXI EFI engine?
how reliable are they.

I was considering using all the GXI parts from my doner engine but changing to edlebrock performa intake manifold which I would need to buy, and use a Holley carb(of which I have a new one already) as it rids me of the entire efi and management system and makes it so simple. I have no dash or gauges either.
I am aware of a power drop, but to me it would reduce the complexity of the whole thing and make it more diy friendly ie I don't need to find someone with the Volvo diagnostic scan tool if something is wrong.
I am also aware that the injection/management/fuel pump system is rather expensive if it goes wrong compared with a carb system which has very little to go wrong.
views would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wipe_out]

I have no problem with either because there are pro's and con's to both but on my boat when repowering I dropped in a full engine with a new Holley carb.. Spent a weekend getting it setup just right and like to know it is likely to "just work" as long as there is fuel, compression and spark..

 

[andyc]

I am almost sure I want to go the carb route, compression is normally a given on a new engine so only spark and fuel to check. With efi there seem to be so many fault codes and complexities it would probably be beyond me if something were to not work right.
There are also so many things to go wrong which ,being Volvo penta, will cost the earth and never be available other than from Volvo.

 

[landlockedpirate]

I had one from new, great engine. Kept the boat for 4 years and about 300 hours mixed use. No problems at all and not a single repair needed.

I love the sound as well, soooo much better than an oil burner

 

[wipe_out]

There are also so many things to go wrong which ,being Volvo penta, will cost the earth and never be available other than from Volvo.

That statement alone is reason enough to go the carb route..

 

[GrahamHR]

That statement alone is reason enough to go the carb route..

What a load of totally misleading rubbish. The V8 engine is GM, with reliability built in as a result of many years of service. All the ancillaries are standard GM ( part from the starter, alternator and distributor which are GM but are modified to be spark protected ). Stick with the EFi but for sure make sure you keep on top of fuel filtration.

I had one from 2005 to 2013; nothing at all failed ( which is more than can be said for the D4 engine boat that replaced it in 2014 !

 

[mdd50]

Question for anyone I just picked up a trihull with a blown volvo motor and may have a line on a 305 merc cruoser motor. I have the volvo penta out brive will this new motor work for me?

 

[wipe_out]

What a load of totally misleading rubbish. The V8 engine is GM, with reliability built in as a result of many years of service. All the ancillaries are standard GM ( part from the starter, alternator and distributor which are GM but are modified to be spark protected ). Stick with the EFi but for sure make sure you keep on top of fuel filtration.

As I said originally I have no issue with either EFI or Carb as both have their pro's and con's..

Whether the components that make up the EFI system are made by GM or not, if something was to go wrong you would need a computer or some sort of electronic diagnosis device to find out what was wrong and this you would have to get from VP. Secondly you would likely have to buy the replacement parts from VP because you couldn't really call up GM and ask them for spares.. Anything coming out of VP is expensive, as I am sure you are aware if you are having issues with your D4..

If a person is mechanically inclined and wants to do maintenance and servicing themselves and also wants to be able to diagnose any problems on the engine with out the need for specialist diagnostic equipment then in my opinion going the carb route is the logical answer.. It was for me anyway..

 

[andyc]

.

What a load of totally misleading rubbish. The V8 engine is GM, with reliability built in as a result of many years of service. All the ancillaries are standard GM ( part from the starter, alternator and distributor which are GM but are modified to be spark protected ). Stick with the EFi but for sure make sure you keep on top of fuel filtration.

!

I don't think the starter and alternator are the issue here, We all know it is chev based .
It is the EFI system that is my concern,ecu, crank sensors, camshaft sensors, injectors, the wiring loom, fuel pump and filtration system and I am sure there are plenty of other little widgets to go wrong, I was not aware that they are straight swap GM parts unless they come from the corvette or Monaro.
I have read about some issues that do crop up over time with the EFI,once they are not new any more and having had a quick flick through the 316page Volvo penta Manual for the engine, it does make a carburettor look appealing, even more so when your out in the med and it stops and you have left your Volvo penta diagnostic scan tool in the Volvo penta dealers workshop.
I feel that with a carb, they may block but rarely go wrong and with a basic fuelpump/filter /separator, you can carry spares in the just in case the spares box.
Unfortunately I boat in a part of the med where they don't have sea start, a friendly passer by, nearby coast guard or indeed anybody else to get you home. You are on your own. I have to have an aux outboard and a box of bits to get me back and I have spent 4 hours cuddling my 9hp auxiliary at 3 knots, because I didn't have a spare coil.


I seem to have answered my original question myself. EFI would be fantastic unless it fails.

 

[gordmac]

Leave the injection on and if it fails fit the carb then?