Don't Kill Your Engine!

[Engine Nut]

If you wakeboard or wake surf and load your boat heavily it is critical that your boat is propped appropriately to ensure that your engine gives you the kind of life that you expect. It is critical that the engine is able to turn RPM at wide open throttle within the designated range for your engine. The standard 5.7L engine, Assault 325, 330 … the engines that have the flame arrestor at the top of the engine like a carbureted engine … the WOT RPM range is 4600-4800. The premium 5.7L engine, Assault 340 … the engines that have the flame arrestor at the rear of the engine and a decorative plenum on top … the WOT RPM range is 4800-5200. The 6.0L engines … the LS2 and the L96 … the WOT RPM range is 5200-5600.

What you need to do is load the boat the way you would for whatever activity you are loading it for. If that means all standard ballast full, any extra ballast, 3 cases of cold beverages and 8 friends … load it up. Make sure your fuel tank is full also. You want the boat to be the heaviest that it is ever going to be. Now carefully take the boat up to wide open throttle and see what the maximum engine RPM is. Be careful because the added weight might make the boat handle differently at WOT than it does when lightly loaded.

If the RPM for your engine is within the WOT RPM range for the engine you are “GOLDEN”. Go wakeboarding … go surfing … have fun! If the engine turns RPM at WOT it means that it will be properly loaded throughout the RPM range. You don’t always have to run the engine at WOT … in fact I don’t recommend that you run at WOT for extended periods of time … it just has to be able to run within that range at WOT. If the engine is not able to turn in the WOT RPM range for your engine, you have two choices … take some weight out of the boat or change the propeller. Every time you run the boat in those same conditions (overloaded) you are risking the longevity of your engine, and if the engine fails under those conditions it is a good chance the failure would not be covered under warranty even though it may be within the warranty period.

If you can’t tolerate reducing the weight in the boat, you will have to re-prop with a smaller pitch/diameter propeller to reduce the load on the engine. I am not a prop expert so I won’t be able to help you select the correct prop. Fortunately, I have some friends who are experts. You can contact the good folks at ACME (www.acmemarine.com) or OJ (www.ojprops.com). Either of those fine companies will be able to help and make propeller suggestions that will get you where you need to be RPM wise.

Once you are propped for the maximum load in the boat, what is going to happen when you run the boat without the load? Not to worry … running the boat under-propped for the load may have an effect on the WOT performance of the boat … it probably won’t go as fast. You won’t have to worry about over-revving the engine though because all of our fuel injected engines have RPM limiters that will not allow the engine to over-rev. It is much better for your engine to be under-propped than it is to be over-propped. If you don’t like the lightly loaded boat performance with the smaller prop, keep your old prop and use it when you are running lightly loaded and switch to the heavy load prop when you use the boat heavily loaded.

Why is this so important? For example, if your engine is only able to turn 4000 RPM at WOT, the engine is running hot and hard but because it cannot turn at the rated RPM, the water pump is not pumping as much water as it should be or that the engine wants when it is working that hard. Also, under those conditions, the throttle settings are telling the ECM/computer to supply fuel to the engine for WOT operation but because the engine is not turning the appropriate RPM, the engine is over-fueled. It may not be able to burn that excess fuel … so now we start washing oil from the cylinder walls which accelerates cylinder wear. And where does that excess fuel go? Some goes past the rings into the oil which dilutes the oil and reduces its ability to properly lubricate the engine … and some goes out through the exhaust. If the engine has catalytic converters, unburned gasoline in the catalysts creates extra heat in the catalyst and with the diminished water flow because of reduced engine RPM we have a hard time keeping the catalysts and manifolds cool which creates more problems.

Bottom line … it is extremely critical that your engine is able to run within the rated RPM range at Wide Open Throttle. If you run your boat heavily loaded and the engine will not turn within the designated RPM range, you are killing your engine and if it dies under those conditions that is considered abuse and abuse is not covered by warranty.

The Engine Nut has spoken!

[barkbarkgrr]

sure would love to know how you truly feel about the FAE being installed on your engines.

[Engine Nut]

sure would love to know how you truly feel about the FAE being installed on your engines.

We have never tested the FAE system so I have no factual data. I would have one concern that since the exhaust is expelled under the surface of the water that the exhaust back-pressure when the boat is idling but not moving would be higher than normal. I say that because from my stern drive days, on units that had through the prop exhaust there were always an idle relief passages that allowed the exhaust to escape above the water level to reduce the exhaust back-pressure and keep the engine from loading up at idle. Once the boat gets moving, that system should work like a through prop exhaust stern drive which creates a low pressure behind the drive that helps draw exhaust from the engine. I am sot sure if the FAE systems have idle relief or not but if it does not I would advise against extended periods of idle with the boat stationary. This is only my opinion based on my limited knowledge of the system and in no way should be interpreted as meaning that Indmar is condemning or endorsing the use of the FAE system.

[barkbarkgrr]

Thanks!

Even after having one on a Moomba, I'm not convinced the FAE is all it is advertised to be.

People sitting on the sundek with the engine idling are going to be exposed to the same amount of gasses with or without the $500 gizmo.

[Razzman]

Well duh, people shouldn't be sitting on the sundeck with engine running anyway. That's a no brainer, geez.

[rdlangston13]

I don't think we ever get people off the Sun deck, engine running or not! Haha


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[E4NASH]

I don't think we ever get people off the Sun deck, engine running or not! Haha


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Same here...


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[hans]

``The standard 5.7L engine, Assault 325, 330 … the engines that have the flame arrestor at the top of the engine like a carbureted engine … the WOT RPM range is 4600-4800.``

I have a lsv 2011 with the indmar assault 325.In my operator manual they say: 5,7l carbureted- 4400 to 4 800 rpm.....
5.7l mpi 4600 to 5200 rpm....is my engine the mpi or the carbureted? I tought it was a 5.7l, efi, mpi....

Can somebody can explain what is mpi? What is the wot of my engine?

[Engine Nut]

``The standard 5.7L engine, Assault 325, 330 … the engines that have the flame arrestor at the top of the engine like a carbureted engine … the WOT RPM range is 4600-4800.``

I have a lsv 2011 with the indmar assault 325.In my operator manual they say: 5,7l carbureted- 4400 to 4 800 rpm.....
5.7l mpi 4600 to 5200 rpm....is my engine the mpi or the carbureted? I tought it was a 5.7l, efi, mpi....

Can somebody can explain what is mpi? What is the wot of my engine?

MPI means Multi Port Injected. The WOT rpm for your engine is 4600-4800. Your manual says 4600-5200 but the high end of the range for your engine is 4800.

[rdlangston13]

So is running at 3500-4000 for sustained periods of time bad??


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[Engine Nut]

So is running at 3500-4000 for sustained periods of time bad??


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Running at that RPM for extended times should not be an issue as long as the engine is able to operate within the designated RPM range at wide open throttle.

[Jeepers]

Quick question: I have a 2008 Moomba LSV with the 325 assault MPI (top spark arrestor) with the factory OJ "wakeboard" prop I was turning 5200-5500 at WOT and the rev limiter never once kicked in. Wouldn't this suggest the 5200 - 5500 RPMs is with the engines specified RPM range? No engine modifications or tunning have ever been done to the engine. Thanks.

[Jeepers]

I forgot to add; I have since swapped props to the acme 1847: No Ballast, WOT I'm at 4600 RPMs / 38 mph (gps). Fully loaded with 1900#'s of ballast I'm at 3000 RPMs wake surfing @ 11-11.5 mph. The only time I've run WOT is to test the old prop and the new prop. I'd be interested to see where the new prop lands full ballast WOT. But can't imagine repropping again for scenario I would never put my engine through?

How will propping the boat for full ballast, WOT RPM impact the RPM range at wakes surfing speeds?

Thanks again for your help!!

[trayson]

But can't imagine repropping again for scenario I would never put my engine through?

This is what I'm wondering. You say to load the boat up with all the people and ballast I'd ever do and then test WOT. The only times I've ever gone and ever will go WOT is with empty ballast. And I've never seen my engine get even remotely close to hot. Our water temps rarely get over the low 70's so that's often a 20+ degree decrease from what our friends in the South see.

Also, it'd be a little tricky to fill EVERYTHING and then try WOT, because I have probably 650 pounds of ballast that's exclusive to the Port side and not the starboard. I suppose I could compensate by having more people Starboard if I was to test. But I'd be ill advised to try to go WOT in a unevenly weighted boat.

[beat taco]

I have to go wot just to get to surf speed loaded lol

[mmandley]

I have to go wot just to get to surf speed loaded lol

Lol are you kidding?

I just ease into the throttle and up she goes.

Wake boarding I give a little more but not wait until rider is out of the water lol

[icemanftr]

I put the hammer down loaded. Gets the surfer right up and off we go.


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[mmandley]

I put the hammer down loaded. Gets the surfer right up and off we go.


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I drop the hammer too but it's not everything she has lol

Every time that happens they lose the rope or get pulled over the board

[moombadaze]

never had the need to drop the hammer when full surf ballast was full, that 345 "Surf" motor with the 1235 prop was a wicked package. Just roll the throttle on and everyone would be right up.

[icemanftr]

never had the need to drop the hammer when full surf ballast was full, that 345 "Surf" motor with the 1235 prop was a wicked package. Just roll the throttle on and everyone would be right up.

Oh I don't have to, I just love coming out of the water like a raped ape.


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[rdlangston13]

I forgot to add; I have since swapped props to the acme 1847: No Ballast, WOT I'm at 4600 RPMs / 38 mph (gps). Fully loaded with 1900#'s of ballast I'm at 3000 RPMs wake surfing @ 11-11.5 mph. The only time I've run WOT is to test the old prop and the new prop. I'd be interested to see where the new prop lands full ballast WOT. But can't imagine repropping again for scenario I would never put my engine through?

How will propping the boat for full ballast, WOT RPM impact the RPM range at wakes surfing speeds?

Thanks again for your help!!

I am running the same boat, engine and prop as you and i can knock down 5,000 rpm all day without even going 100% wide open. I usually give it just enough to get to 5,000 rpm and the spend is just a touch over 38 mph.

[Jeepers]

I opened her up today on super calm waters and was able to get 5000 rpms trimming out the wake plate.

[Jeepers]

What altitude are you at? I'm 2200-2400 ft

[Connolly_Crew]

If you wakeboard or wake surf and load your boat heavily it is critical that your boat is propped appropriately to ensure that your engine gives you the kind of life that you expect. It is critical that the engine is able to turn RPM at wide open throttle within the designated range for your engine. The standard 5.7L engine, Assault 325, 330 … the engines that have the flame arrestor at the top of the engine like a carbureted engine … the WOT RPM range is 4600-4800. The premium 5.7L engine, Assault 340 … the engines that have the flame arrestor at the rear of the engine and a decorative plenum on top … the WOT RPM range is 4800-5200. The 6.0L engines … the LS2 and the L96 … the WOT RPM range is 5200-5600.

What you need to do is load the boat the way you would for whatever activity you are loading it for. If that means all standard ballast full, any extra ballast, 3 cases of cold beverages and 8 friends … load it up. Make sure your fuel tank is full also. You want the boat to be the heaviest that it is ever going to be. Now carefully take the boat up to wide open throttle and see what the maximum engine RPM is. Be careful because the added weight might make the boat handle differently at WOT than it does when lightly loaded.

If the RPM for your engine is within the WOT RPM range for the engine you are “GOLDEN”. Go wakeboarding … go surfing … have fun! If the engine turns RPM at WOT it means that it will be properly loaded throughout the RPM range. You don’t always have to run the engine at WOT … in fact I don’t recommend that you run at WOT for extended periods of time … it just has to be able to run within that range at WOT. If the engine is not able to turn in the WOT RPM range for your engine, you have two choices … take some weight out of the boat or change the propeller. Every time you run the boat in those same conditions (overloaded) you are risking the longevity of your engine, and if the engine fails under those conditions it is a good chance the failure would not be covered under warranty even though it may be within the warranty period.

If you can’t tolerate reducing the weight in the boat, you will have to re-prop with a smaller pitch/diameter propeller to reduce the load on the engine. I am not a prop expert so I won’t be able to help you select the correct prop. Fortunately, I have some friends who are experts. You can contact the good folks at ACME (www.acmemarine.com) or OJ (www.ojprops.com). Either of those fine companies will be able to help and make propeller suggestions that will get you where you need to be RPM wise.

Once you are propped for the maximum load in the boat, what is going to happen when you run the boat without the load? Not to worry … running the boat under-propped for the load may have an effect on the WOT performance of the boat … it probably won’t go as fast. You won’t have to worry about over-revving the engine though because all of our fuel injected engines have RPM limiters that will not allow the engine to over-rev. It is much better for your engine to be under-propped than it is to be over-propped. If you don’t like the lightly loaded boat performance with the smaller prop, keep your old prop and use it when you are running lightly loaded and switch to the heavy load prop when you use the boat heavily loaded.

Why is this so important? For example, if your engine is only able to turn 4000 RPM at WOT, the engine is running hot and hard but because it cannot turn at the rated RPM, the water pump is not pumping as much water as it should be or that the engine wants when it is working that hard. Also, under those conditions, the throttle settings are telling the ECM/computer to supply fuel to the engine for WOT operation but because the engine is not turning the appropriate RPM, the engine is over-fueled. It may not be able to burn that excess fuel … so now we start washing oil from the cylinder walls which accelerates cylinder wear. And where does that excess fuel go? Some goes past the rings into the oil which dilutes the oil and reduces its ability to properly lubricate the engine … and some goes out through the exhaust. If the engine has catalytic converters, unburned gasoline in the catalysts creates extra heat in the catalyst and with the diminished water flow because of reduced engine RPM we have a hard time keeping the catalysts and manifolds cool which creates more problems.

Bottom line … it is extremely critical that your engine is able to run within the rated RPM range at Wide Open Throttle. If you run your boat heavily loaded and the engine will not turn within the designated RPM range, you are killing your engine and if it dies under those conditions that is considered abuse and abuse is not covered by warranty.

The Engine Nut has spoken!

Thanks for the education. After reading this I believe I better understand why I see soooo many engine replacements in some brands. Not enough owners understand this principle. Thanks again EN. Oh, can you email this to me as I would like to share on another forum?? [email protected]
Thanks
Jerald


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[twkoehn]

I have a 2007 Mobius LSV (325 HP) and top out at 4500 RPM and 38.5 -39.0 MPH (GPS tested) with the original prop, only myself in the boat, perfectly calm conditions and the wake plate planing me out. I have always felt I should get a little more top end and perhaps a few more RPM. I'm not trying to win any races but I'm pushing pretty hard to waterski at 34 MPH.

[Birdman]

after reading this I was paying attention to my WOT rpm and I'm running 5200 when this post states I should be I should be 4600 to 4800 is this something to worry about also I'm running my stock prop


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[VA LSV]

I have the 325 MPI and while checking rpm's at WOT I found my throttle linkage wasn't fully opening the throttle body. Adjusting gave me a very noticeable increase in rpm and speed. This might explain some of the differences.