Did the 182 ever come with a 4.3???

[2kwik4u]

Been trying to do some research on my little boat. I can't find an options list for '98 anywhere online that I've searched.

I'm mostly interested in if the boat ever came with the 4.3 engine.

Yes, it's for that assinine engine swap idea I had awhile back (you can find that thread elsewhere in this section I think). And I'm ultimately curious if I can procure some motor mounts, or if I'll have to fabricate some. If I have to fabricate some, I'm curious as to the strength of the originals holding up to the higher power output from a 4.3.

And yes I know its cheaper/easier to get a new Rinker with a bigger motor, but really, what fun would that be?!?!

[ParkRode360]

Mike, I saw on BoatTrader there was a 1991 model 186 with a Merc 4.3 in it. Alpha One drive, 190 horse out of Cincinatti, Ohio.  Unfortunately, not knowing the build platforms, etc it'd be tough to say whether it could be a drop in or not.

Worse comes to worst, you can always call Rinker and ask! Maybe see if you can squeeze a 5.7 in there???

[2kwik4u]

If I was going to put a 5.7 in there.....I'd find a way to make the LSX series all aluminum engine fit. Same weight as a 4.3 with about twice the power.

Talk about a serious

[2kwik4u]

And the short answer to my question is YES IT DID.

Found this little guy on eBay this morning. '98 Rinker 182 W/4.3L Looks like it's been confirmed that the 4.3L will fit in the '98 182 hull. Now I just need to pay the boat off, so I can justify the extra cash for the bigger motor!

[Dan&Darci]

Hey Mike,
Did you see that the 182 you found on e-Bay is advertised as having 245 HP?  Must be a screamer!!!

Makes you wonder about truth in advertising.....

[2kwik4u]

Hey Mike,
Did you see that the 182 you found on e-Bay is advertised as having 245 HP?  Must be a screamer!!!

Makes you wonder about truth in advertising.....

Yea I saw that rating. I can belive a 4.3 to make that power with a different head/cam package than stock, but with what appears to be ZERO other mods, I have a seriously hard time beliving that.

I'm off to do some more research on the difference in marine, and automotive cams. Got a buddy that put down ~240hp in his S10 with a heads/cam swap. If I could get that same combo in a boat motor I have to think I'd have more than enough power in my little 19' boat.

[Dan&Darci]

Mike, why not just find a wrecked Syclone or Typhoon?  You can bolt all of their go-fast stuff to a marine 4.3 block.  THEN you'd have some power!

[2kwik4u]

Mike, why not just find a wrecked Syclone or Typhoon?  You can bolt all of their go-fast stuff to a marine 4.3 block.  THEN you'd have some power!

Funny you say that....I'm in close with the local Syclone/Typhoon owners in this area. You should check my gallery (link in the signature) under MISC PICS folder. It has a buddies Typhoon with a nice logo on the side. We were giving him a good deal of crap for having us do all the work, and needing to get a sponsor to pay for it. Another buddy owns the pest control place, and had a sticker sitting around, so when we got bored we made a good picture.

Back to the boat motors though. The problem with turbocharging a gas engine is that it creates ALOT of heat. High boost levels wouldn'y be a problem at all for short WOT blasts, however sustained WOT for 20-30min, or even hours at a time would result in some SERIOUS heat problems. With that said, I have had thoughts of supercharging the 4.3 once it's in there. With access to a machine shop here at the office, fabricating the bracketry and what not wouldn't be terribly hard at all.....Having been around boosted 4.3's for years I've learned a few things....Forged bottom ends for the 4.3 are expensive, and required to make it live at high power levels. The heat buildup is so high that ignition parts, and anything rubber or plastic nearby has a VERY shortened life span. No real good selling points for a boat motor.

I've seen a friends truck make 380hp, and 525lb-ft of torque, at a nice low 3800rpm peak on 28psi of boost. That particular truck runs high 11's in the 1/4 :D

ALSO.....Super Kuddo's to you for spelling Syclone correctly, and knowing that they had a turbocharged 4.3 in them. 95% of the population has no idea what they were!!! I'm impressed!!!

[Dan&Darci]

Old gearheads never die, they just pay others to turn the wrenches for them!