I was wondering if anyone knows the Tourqe and Horsepower curve of these two engines? Which engine will eat more gas while boarding and Cruising around? Overall, which Engine will be a better buy for a Wakesetter 23LSV?

In my opinion the 8.1 is the best motor for the 23 and up boats. Wakeboarding the motor will use similar fuel as the monsoon. When you open it up is where the 8.1 uses more gas. But I feel that the benefits of the 8.1 justify the fuel usage.

yep

For sure +1 on the 8.1

I love my 8.1

we have a monsoon in our lsv, and complaints. We get about 4gph with stock ballast and people.

8.1 all the way, I went with the Monsoon and regret it.

There's no replacement for Cubic Inches when it comes to powering a boat.

Every wakeboard boat should come stock with a big block.(Unless you cruise more than you ride. But who does that?<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>) The 8.1 will use less fuel in the long run because it doesn't have to work as hard to get up to speed and maintain it.

Hyperlitenerd - Do you guys use the wedge? With it I feel we get much worse fuel consumption than 4gph. Without it the wake is pretty small IMO.

I have the 340 5.7 engine in a 2007 23lsv. Plenty of power for the stock ballast and wedge, however, I would love to get 4 gph with wedge up, let alone down. That said, I have never owned a big block car or truck that got better mileage than a small block. A bigger, heavier, engine will add a few expensive pounds of ballast, but it is not going to get better mileage. If your ego needs a big block, go for it. Otherwise the only justification would be if you are planning on running <b> a lot of extra ballast</b>, and need the power.

Well if you think you dont get better mileage with the 8.1 then run the same weight you are running but run it with the 8.1 and check your consumption. Like dude said above, if you cruise all day it doesnt make sense to get the 8.1. If you ever have a bunch of people in the boat and you are running stock Ballast and wedge down, it does make sense. You will have to power the motor up more to get the power you need which then leads to higher RMS. Just my opinion but if you like the small block and it floats your boat, then go with it.

The difference in cost between the big block and small block buys a LOT of gas. And no I don't think all the difference in capital cost is recovered on resale.

Eubanks, <BR> <BR>My friend uses the wedge, I do not. we do use it for wakesurfing, but then we are using a little more than 8gph ;) <BR> <BR>We have never had a problem with power with stock ballast and 9 people. And we run stock ballast and another 700 in water ballast for surfing. So unless you are running 3k in ballast with people at altitude, I couldnt justify the 8.1. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by hyperlitenrd on December 04, 2006)

It's the same point as towing with a diesel pickup. I may never need to tow 19,000 lbs but I suppose I could with my F-350. I might not make ALL my money back when I sell the damn thing (or use less fuel), but I sure do know it's there if for some reason I should need it. I like not having to worry about putting 10+ people on my boat and going boarding with ballast. The boat could care less. Could I deal with the MCX? Yea of course but my 8.1 is like my diesel. The piece of mind is worth the price to me. My father told me a man can never have too much sex, cash, or horsepower and i'll stick with that.

I Agree

HAHa