Mercruiser 6.2L - 383

[Boatnuts]

Looking for any all feed back on this engine. Strengths, weaknesses, durability, reliability, longevity, inheritant bugs, fuel consumption at cruise (GPH or MPG). In general, anything that will aid in deciding if this is a tuff engine.

[smokediver]

I am wondering if the 383 mercs that are being advertised are remanned 377's that have been bored out for the rebuild . I own a 5.7 that was remanned and it was bored 40 over . I have had good luck (knock on wood) with the engine and am very happy with the purchase i made. I would only buy a remanned engine from merc or from someone that is just a go between for merc. if you are in the market for a merc motor, In the crate. gotta be careful these days !!!

[MOP]

There are a lot of 383's out there for decent $$ that also spell out what parts were used and most carry a decent warentee. If you already have all the marinizing items then go shopping, if not go for the Merc package. I love my mouse motor!!!

Phil

[Ricky]

Hi Boatnuts.
This is the feedback that i got when i asked a grownup before i collected my new engine.
I know the Scorpion is a bit different from the 320hp ones.
However, it produces good power at low weight compared to some bigblocks.

Check it out at Bullock Marine (http://www.bullockmarine.com/mercury/2005_sterndrive_hp_377_scorpion.html).

The 377 Blue Scorpion comes from Mercury Racing and is totally hand built,
different crank, rods, pistons, lifters and rockers. It is all balanced and blueprinted as well. Many were used in the APBA circuit in the bat boats...
Almost none of them had to be touched other than oil changes for the entire season.
There is a big differance in the acceleration and torque. The 377 is rated 350 Propshaft HP.

God luck.
Ricky.:sweden:

[MOP]

I am running a full roller 383 with a complete Lunati Pro Mod setup crank, rods and pistons, Dart heads, Comp roller cam & lifters with Harland Sharpe roller rockers all top shelf stuff ended up cheaper then a Scorpion and more reliability. I know you can build or buy a 383 for less $$ and have more power and good reliabilty. A few links below all have some marine applications, also check with the Scot the harbor master he has new Merc 383's.

http://www.ebasicpower.com/engines/mercruiser/383.htm $$$ but complete
http://www.affordablemarine.com/marine_engines.htm
http://www.marinepowerservice.com/Engines/GM/detail.cfm?engineID=644&SETmodel=HIGH%20PERFORMANCE%20383%20%2D%20425HP
http://www.blueprintengines.com/popular_configurations/index.html?topic=specs&pc_id=36
http://www.streetperformance.com/productshowcase.php?company_id=37569

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41176&highlight=Scorpion Some good reading

Last but not least the GM HT383 is a good bang for the buck! and warenteed!
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/HT383-Performance-Crate-Engine-12499101-P7C2.aspx

[Ricky]

I am running a full roller 383 with a complete Lunati Pro Mod setup crank, rods and pistons, Dart heads, Comp roller cam & lifters with Harland Sharpe roller rockers all top shelf stuff ended up cheaper then a Scorpion and more reliability. I know you can build or buy a 383 for less $$ and have more power and good reliabilty. A few links below all have some marine applications, also check with the Scot the harbor master he has new Merc 383's.
http://www.ebasicpower.com/engines/mercruiser/383.htm $$$ but complete
http://www.affordablemarine.com/marine_engines.htm
http://www.marinepowerservice.com/Engines/GM/detail.cfm?engineID=644&SETmodel=HIGH%20PERFORMANCE%20383%20%2D%20425HP
http://www.blueprintengines.com/popular_configurations/index.html?topic=specs&pc_id=36
http://www.streetperformance.com/productshowcase.php?company_id=37569
http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41176&highlight=Scorpion Some good reading
Last but not least the GM HT383 is a good bang for the buck! and warenteed!
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/HT383-Performance-Crate-Engine-12499101-P7C2.aspx

Thanks for the links.
There are some real intresting offers out there.
There is a also a good chance one of those 383 will slip in as a replacement in my old Chevy pickup truck.:)

Prices are very low and the complete 383cui/350hp/Bravo1 i consider as a bargain ar that price.
However it is a bit unfair to compair the others being carbengines to the Scorpions tunnelram digital injection/ignition and so on witch does not come for free.
But the horsepowers in the carbengines are still there and thats what counts in many cases.

Ricky:sweden:

[MOP]

Ricky good point and there is no arguing the added benefits and features of the Scorpion, for that matter any late model engine. I guess I look more at the feeling of being locked on these newer engines. When I say locked in I am saying for the average guy they are harder to fix or modify then an old nuts and bolts engine. As most know up here I have been in the marine Biz a very long time most of it on the wrench's, with the advent of the modern systems repair bills have ski rocketed as have shop rates. There very few outside of a qualified shop that can fix or dio the new stuff, I guess I always champion the little guy especially me being one also. To maintain and or modify the later injected engines you need deep pockets, an old nuts and bolts rig in most cases can be fixed by yourself or with the help or advice of buddies. Simplicity is hard to beat! The marine Biz has gone the way of the auto industry, and so it should, but with it comes the price of only they can fix it.
.
Phil

[Ricky]

Ricky good point and there is no arguing the added benefits and features of the Scorpion, for that matter any late model engine. I guess I look more at the feeling of being locked on these newer engines. When I say locked in I am saying for the average guy they are harder to fix or modify then an old nuts and bolts engine. As most know up here I have been in the marine Biz a very long time most of it on the wrench's, with the advent of the modern systems repair bills have ski rocketed as have shop rates. There very few outside of a qualified shop that can fix or dio the new stuff, I guess I always champion the little guy especially me being one also. To maintain and or modify the later injected engines you need deep pockets, an old nuts and bolts rig in most cases can be fixed by yourself or with the help or advice of buddies. Simplicity is hard to beat! The marine Biz has gone the way of the auto industry, and so it should, but with it comes the price of only they can fix it.
.
Phil


I coldnt agree more in what u are saying.

I have faced occations (other engines) when the "pro`s" have problems fixing controllsystem faults and just have to change bit by bit until it worka again.

A carbengine is more easy to understand and repair for most people.

I would however spend my money on a real good electronic ignition system for a HP-engine and woldnt even consider a breaker (point) distrubutor.

Personally, living in a cold part of the world and having problem to find real good premium fuel since they shut down most off-mainland petrolstations i the winter (bastards) its nessecery to have a good controllsystem whith knock-sensors retarding the ignition when the cheap fuel goes in to the tank.

For a summer hotrod playboat i go carb as well.

Ricky :sweden: