ETEC 90 Question
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Forum Name: The Boat Shed
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URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51529
Printed Date: 10 Jun 2026 at 3:19pm
Topic: ETEC 90 Question
Posted By: Catchelot
Subject: ETEC 90 Question
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2010 at 7:24pm
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Chaps I was out on a mates new Stabicraft 530 yesterday, has an ETEC 90, all brand new drop dead gorgeous rig. He has been out a few times, first few times he and wife complained of a noisey vibration at lower revs - approx 1500, that seems to have disappeared when I was there to have a listen at idle and slow speed, warm up "take her out"...maybe a bit of a decent run and run in routine has loosened whatever was tight...albeit ETEC's are supposed to be out of the box full noise no run in...but who does that apart from Yanks on infomercial marketing duties? ...So we did some good running Sunday, went with the sea and played with the trim to explain to Mike the various settings in various seaways to what suits the boat and how she rides in those conditions and to see if in; 1 - 1.5metres of strong harbour chop and a strong constant 15 knotter with the odd few bigger potholes and square waves that can nail you big time... to see if she would bury her nose, broach and be un-Stabi so to speak...cos this harbour can be very narly and so the Stabi just ate it up in its stride, we found the happy medium and happy ride with small trim increments upwards of the ETEC and a bit of a spurt up to test her in a following sea. We even trolled some baby Pakula Dojo Peche lures past and around the poles and markers up the harbour for Kings and wow just wow these things swim like baby marlin lures, the splash, action..smoke tails..wobble...vibration.. and oops wrong thread...I am bad So the ETEC held good trolling speed too as we carried on to try various spots up the harbour. We were visited by a few Kingies and a VERY ANGRY Mollyhawk, Huge Black Backed Gull...that attacked my mate to pieces cos it ate his huge Pilchard... And Mike was fighting this HUGE BIRD whilst I fought my Kingi, I couldn't help him and he couldn't help me... I threw in... my towel...to Mike to wrap up the Pteradactyl (SP) Huge Dinosaur looking bird, whilst I was hooked up to a KING in one hand and trying to flick a pillie to its big brother on the Fin-Nor Eggbeater... Anyways...several more spots and trips around the harbour later it was time go home and Mike gave me the Helm, and said; "Number One Take US home AT Best Available Speed", so we cruised off slowly got up onto the plane and sat on about 3200rpm, played with the trim, found the happy medium, met the big chop coming home and by now with wind against tide there was some narly 1.5 - 2 metre waves with deep troughs and the stabi just ate it for breakfast, it was a very very impressive ride, got to Manganese Pt, gave her a quick squeeze up to full noise and transwarp factor 4.8 in the chop and then back down and did a port 10 and slowly made our way into Parua bay and once over the shoals and passed the anchored traffic, we opened the ETEC up and took her up to full noise and wide open throttle again and trimmed her right up and sustained that for a good 3-4 mins and then eased her down as we approached the ramp area and 5 knot boundary, I found she was still on the plan at 2600rpm and then cruised slowly into the boat ramp. Question please, at full noise and WOT she was only pulling 4800rpm as I would have expected about 5500RPM. It is fitted with a Viper Stainless Prop, looks a big one, I don't know the prop details as it came as standard fitted. So does anyone know why or is 4800RPM full RPM for an ETEC? Cheers ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Replies:
Posted By: andy2fish
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2010 at 8:37pm
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Its about the same revs as my 90 Etec engine and i thought the same seems low revs for them. Runs great and very good on fuel but just short of 5000 revs
------------- If only I could fly |
Posted By: Murph
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2010 at 8:39pm
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First off I would reccomend this site as an excellent resource for all matters relating to E-Tec engines:-
http://www.etecownersgroup.com/ - http://www.etecownersgroup.com/
According to a chart that is posted on that site the operating range for the 2008 90hp is 4500 - 5500 and the optimum rev range is 5000 - 5200.
So 4800 is within the operating range but you should really be getting closer to 5000 or a bit more in order for it to be hitting the sweet spot.
If you search that site you will find bulk info on fine tuning your setup but basically you will need to ensure that you engine height is correct and then find the prop that will allow the engine to turn at the optimum revs.
I had a 90 on my 570 Extreme, it was turning a 17" pitch SST prop and would just get to 5000. Most people I know that run 90's are using 15" pitch props and getting good revs.
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Posted By: AHill
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2010 at 9:27pm
| What would be the fuel saving or performance difference from say what I have which is a 2005 Johnson V4 90HP and a Evinrude 90ETEC? Same sort of performance but a hell of a lot in the fuel bill? |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2010 at 10:16pm
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Good intel and info guys keep it coming...
The other thing I found weird with this Etec, it has no hours meter, so how does one know the right time to bring WAKA in for its check and service and Doctors stethoscope
 Yes all computerised eh, so is that good?
I am still waiting to hear from some experts if they are around; Tobez, Tagit, Outboard Performance...etc  ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: Murph
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 6:01am
| Hmmmm, my old 90 had an hour meter. |
Posted By: Falco
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 6:20am
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Murph is correct,5000-5200rpm is optimum.
Im running a 19" rebel and get 5150rpm on my Surtees..it didnt always do that though raised the motor to what Surtees recommend and she sprang into life.
My 90 is an 07 and dosnt have an hour meter either.
Without Hijaking this thread,what would I gain with a 15" prop? ------------- as dead as dead is |
Posted By: H2O_dependant
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 7:08am
| Just got an ETEC 90 in Feb on my 520 stabicraft - WOT achieves 5200 rpm and 40mph - but cna only do that when boat is heavily loaded (38mph) or else glassy calm as boat gets very light at top speed and could easily flip. So probably a little overpowered on those glassy days but is great when running in through Kaipara Bar having plenty of power. Think I took the 15inch prop - wanted a 17inch but man said try the 15inch first - after noticing that I the stabi gets a little unstable at 40mph - decided did not need the bigger pitch prop as do not need to go any faster than that and 15inch would have the better acceleration which is good when a breaking wave is bearing down on you in the kaipara entrance.... |
Posted By: H2O_dependant
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 7:38am
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Forgot to add that apparently hour meter is an optional extra - so for the engine hours am using the GPS chartplotter to track hours and distance per trip and write down in log with a running total - so far 22 hours in 5 weeks which includes one 11 hour day trolling out to Kaipara trench and back. Have just finished first container of oil (engine oil is full but container empty) - shame that those cost $80 a pop - should be running now at 80:1 so should get about 300 litres of fuel to bottle. Which is about 15 hours of run time at 30mph depending on conditions.
Kaipara Trench including trolling and back was 108 miles and used about 100 litres - so trolling speed of around 8 - 9 mph is a bit more thirsty than planing speed as to be expected.
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Posted By: Bounty Hunter
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 8:35am
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it sounds like if the boat is unstable at only 35kts, your trim needs adjusting or youve got a lot of weight in the stern. 90hp is a good match for that size boat and the hull should be able to handle max revs without issue. at what hours do the etec lean out on the oil? - sounds rather expensive. ------------- No disintegrations! |
Posted By: RC1
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 9:44am
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The engine is not set up correctly, is it a 529 Stabicraft? the older shapes were the 530, different boat. The engine sounds like it is mounted to low and the wrong prop fitted, the e-tec 90 should rev at the maximum range of its rpm, it will be perfect around 5200 to 5500 rpm.
If the boat is a 529, the dealers set them up as a 'cheap package' with a 90hp, we did the same when I was working for a stabi dealer, the 90hp engines go ok with one person in the boat and 20 lites of fuel, but when you load them up for a days fishing with a couple of mates they were slugglish and perfomed poorly, they really should be fitted with a 115hp.
 So something needs to be addressed otherwise this engine is going to have a very short life span as it is working too hard.
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Posted By: Peter. C.
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 10:20am
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my 2007 90 has no hour meter either, like h2o-dependant i just use the chart plotter, propbaly when they hook up the lap top in the shop they can tell you your hours anyway. Mine revs out to around the 5200 mark swinging a s/s viper prop & pushing a mac clay 550. Check with your dealer & make sure the oil setting is correct for the e-tec oil, if outboard is set on standard oil & your using the other then it will use more. murph's on to it! have a look at the web site he recommended, it will give you all the info you need regarding oil usage/ when it leans out etc.
cheers, P.C.
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Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 11:07am
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when a dealer plugs there ecu into the outboards ecu it tells it exactly how many hours running it has done, an hour meter is an extra on the Etec because of that |
Posted By: Redfinger
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 11:30am
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I have a 2006 40hp etec.- it came with an hour meter.
Max rpm 5500
Re oil - have used nearly 2 x 5l containors - miserly consumption but then only done 150 hrs.
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Posted By: Kings Marine
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 2:45pm
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As RC1 says you need to have the engine reving to the 5500rpm lightly laden (x2 POB x2 tote tanks) at optimum trim (not full out) engine needs to be 5500RPM or as close as. One thing experience has taught us is that the new tech engines will not tolerate under revving. Doesnt matter whos brand of engine - It will fail , might not be this season maybe next. I had one that was three years old and decided it had enough (by the way the engine computer logs engine revs so the manufacture and technician knows if it is propped correctly or not) and no it will not be under your engine warranty because it is a boat set up issue.  ------------- The Mighty Waikato http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kings-Marine/100476476662857?%3Fref=ts |
Posted By: Kings Marine
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 3:05pm
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AHill The difference between a carb engine and a DFI engine eg (E Tec) You will save a heap in fuel, this will still be relevant to how much throttle you have on. At lower revs you can expect an easy 40% saving in fuel, although you have to offset this with the fact you must use the expensive DFI oil, at higher revs it is not as much, but still a good saving. Performance will be similar but you will defiantly have less H/P compared to your carb'd engine. I have done the exercise of removing a carb'd engine from a boat and replacing with a DFI engine of the same brand, same H/P, same cc rating, same engine height, even fitted the exact same prop from the old engine. the boat lost 3MPH and you could notice some of the "grunt" had gone. The main reason for this is the manufactures are allowed a 10% tolerance of the stated H/P of a engine, so what tended to happen was if it had say 90HP on the cowl it was probably making closer to 96 - 98HP, this didnt matter when you could just tip more fuel in to make it happen, and it made your engine appear to have more power than your competitors. But what happened with the DFI engines is that they must now make certain exhaust emission levels for each H/P group, so if you made the engine (a 90HP) produce the 96 - 98HP you use more fuel - hence your exhaust emissions will be higher, so what tends to happen now is that the engines are a bit closer to the actual H/P on the cowling which makes it easier to meet the emission targets. ------------- The Mighty Waikato http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kings-Marine/100476476662857?%3Fref=ts |
Posted By: Murph
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 7:56pm
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falco wrote:Posted By: Titahi
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 8:20pm
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I have just clicked up 300 hrs in one year on a 75 ETEC, same block and gear box as the 90, but different Computer mapping and injectors. I intially struggled to reach 5200 rpm, lifted the motor three times untill it is at the highest position possible, also added some blocks which changed the angle of the motor, I was geting upto 32knts but still not obtaining 5200rpm. After reading up about the engines on the ETECH forums I discovered that running the engine without it being able to get to 5200 rpm was detremental to the engine, labouring it, using excessive oil and gas. I swapped out the prop from a 17 inch to a 15 inch with the same pitch, Full rpm is now 5200 top end has dropped to 30knts but fuel and oil consumption have also dropped ( I have a fuel flow meter hooked up to the chart plotter). The addition of a permatrim has added to less fuel consumption at trolling speeds as well as making the boat more stable when planning. I have six empty oil containers for the 300 hours. Awesome engines!! ------------- "I love standing by the ocean and just knowing what its for" |
Posted By: AHill
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 8:32pm
| Thanks a lot of for your description King Marine....food for thought... |
Posted By: way out west
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 11:40pm
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90 etec only puts out about 85 - 86 hp @the prop - the 75 etec is the power king swinging the other way putting out 80 - 85 hp.
Etec owners group is the site to find out any etec info and "nice" people.
Had one and did 178 hrs trouble free boating- called it the axe- sweet engine.
550 kiwi kraft was the hull.
But ginned around with props until running right @ 5200 WOT max load which was with a 14 1/2 x 15" pitch 3 blade SS prop.
Mine was the 25" leg - v6 box = overkill but bullet proof for a 90.
Not required to run @5500 - 5600 as you are not making any more power - I got the low down from BRP Aust as was used to running 85 - 90 hp 2 stroke yammys at these WOT rpms. these 90 motors only require 5200 - 5300 WOT.
Now run a 300 Ebomb- I just hope it is as sweet as the 90 was, it likes to drink but you get that with big HP, I just wish it was the 90 when @ the bowser.
cheers,
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Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 12:32am
Very Interesting I will watch this and pass it on to my mate, keep it coming guys please...
Tobez...your comments Sir?
Outboard Performance... ditto...??
Tagit...?
------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 12:39am
Wow... a lot to think about...should one have to?...
...or is it RTFM syndrome, before being wowed by the sales glossy?
Keep the knowledge flowing chaps
 ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: zeroque
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2010 at 8:39pm
| I find it unusual that outboard manuafacturers don't routinely advertise the torque outputs of their engines because like automotive engines, torque and the rpm range it is produced in is an important indicator of how an engine is likely to push or pull the object it's attached to. |
Posted By: Outboard Performance
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2010 at 9:54pm
With the non servicing for 3 years.... Personally, I would take it in anually, doesnt have to be a big service, even just gear oil and plug the computer in and check for fault codes or map upgrades.
Did a check on a 150 etec today and it was running stone cold. Turned out to be pressure relief valve grommet had popped out. For ETEC owners, I would advise a quick check once a year. An hour or two won't be that painfull;-)
With propping, my opinion is to prop the boat to the top end of the rev range, if its 4500-5500 then prop it to 5500 with an empty boat. So when you stick your gear and your mates in it, it will probably drop to around 5200.
I would never prop a boat to the low end scale of the rev range with an empy boat as you are just asking for engine trouble. I have rebuilt many outboards that have failed, (especially in the little ends) from over proping/not pulling enough revs.
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Posted By: rocko
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2010 at 4:21pm
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Not meaning to side track thread... would the same apply to Mercury saltwater series 90hp? motor bout a year to 18months old but only had 9 hours running since new... Wanting to know what to look for do's dont etc..engine is on 6mtr glass pelin hull |
Posted By: Outboard Performance
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2010 at 4:51pm
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For your engine Rocko it will only have one output through the battery cables, so to hook up dual batteries the best way will be the 3 switch set up and a V.S.R
I love this set up and recommened to anyone who runs accessories. Especially if you like listening to the stereo, it just means you never ever have to be conserned about being able to get the motor going.
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Posted By: rocko
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2010 at 5:37pm
| cheers for that...keep that in mind and have sorted...The boat doesnt have any accessories which wont stay that way for long... |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2010 at 7:31pm
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Ok Mike had her - Moocha, back out in the weekend and this time with 4 POB and it achieved 5200, that I cannot understand how 2 up did 4800, but yet 4 did 5200, unless of course that motor is loosening up more and more with a proper run in perhaps...
...any way his comments below...
I had a chance to test out Moocher a couple of times and with 4 of us it was pulling 5200RPM. I will continue giving it a few more trials to get a good feel of what it can do before looking at props etc, but as the manufactures recommended top range is 4500 -5500, with the middle of the range being a good point to aim for , I am not panicking at present.
PS I have done a bit of physics so do understand Diameter and Pitch. Please don't think I was trying to "wind you up" !!!! (Propeller joke?) ...He has confirmed the shop said his prop is 17" Viper Stainless and have offered him a 15" to try.
Any thoughts from the experts?
------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: H2O_dependant
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2010 at 7:54pm
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did a few different test runs initially - loaded up with about 120 litres of fuel in back of boat and 120 liters of water in chilli bin at front of boat plus myself and 4 year old son - boat did 38 mph and was responsive to steering. Went out next day without 120 litres of water in bin and only 50 liters of fuel and found boat at 38 knots was only just in water - which is what made it unstable - small waves passing under each hull would "pop" boat from side to side. Dropping back to 34mph with light load soled problem. With empty boat and flat water can run at 40mph. All these speeds were around 5200 rpm mark give or take 100.
Oil supposed to run in at 40:1 for first 4 hours and then drop back to 80:1.
Done about 25 hours running now for 2 liters of oil 50/50 trolling at 8mph and open running average 30mph.
Approx dunning speeds
on plane about 15mph at 2600 rpm (drags ass a bit first as quite heavy outboard on 520 stabi and no permatrim or the like).
23mph approx 3500 rpm
30mph is about 4200 rpm
40 pmh WOT - 5200 rpm
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Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2010 at 8:08pm
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Great comment H2O thanks for that
Do you know what prop you swing a standard Evinrude one or Stainless Viper one?
I have experience with a few 2 stroke 90's (Johnson- OMC) before, but not ETECs, and both were fairly modern and late 1990's models and both would kick this ETEC's ass for acceleration and top end rpm on a similiar sized heavy tinny (Bluefin 530) and Haines Hunter 5m
...And both did have smaller props maybe the 15" model not sure, but they were not stainless props. ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: H2O_dependant
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2010 at 6:53am
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stainless prop came with outboard.
previously boat was driven by a 2 stroke 70hp yamaha outboard 1990 vintage, until that broke down in Jan 2 miles from Omaha after a trip approx 10 miles outside of the mokes (approx 110 miles running). Limped in on auxillary which is taken along for such special occasions... avoids those coastguard calls.
Yamaha 70 used to get top speed with same size prop of 34mph empty boat - and that dropped off when loaded to about 30mph. So newer/larger engine gets about 5 mph more and better econmoy and grunt when loaded down for big trips.
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Posted By: Ean
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2010 at 8:40am
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Originally posted by Titahi I have just clicked up 300 hrs in one year on a 75 ETEC, same block and gear box as the 90, but different Computer mapping and injectors. I intially struggled to reach 5200 rpm, lifted the motor three times untill it is at the highest position possible, also added some blocks which changed the angle of the motor, I was geting upto 32knts but still not obtaining 5200rpm. After reading up about the engines on the ETECH forums I discovered that running the engine without it being able to get to 5200 rpm was detremental to the engine, labouring it, using excessive oil and gas. I swapped out the prop from a 17 inch to a 15 inch with the same pitch, Full rpm is now 5200 top end has dropped to 30knts but fuel and oil consumption have also dropped ( I have a fuel flow meter hooked up to the chart plotter). The addition of a permatrim has added to less fuel consumption at trolling speeds as well as making the boat more stable when planning. I have six empty oil containers for the 300 hours. Awesome engines!! Just had a 75etec fitted - what boat do you have and under what load did you reach 5200rpm? cheers
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Posted By: Titahi
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2010 at 9:56pm
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Hey Ean, the boat is a 1974 Sea Nymph 14,6. Typically 2 P.O.B , I estiamte the hull weighs about 700-800kgs, including four tote tanks, live bait tank.....etc...etc. The accelaration from 2000prm upto 4700 rpm is enough to sit any smarty pants in the stern on his arse. The addition of a full standing head room targa top with clears has dropped the top end down 1 knot, but its very dry!!! ------------- "I love standing by the ocean and just knowing what its for" |
Posted By: Ean
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2010 at 8:44pm
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Cheers for info Titahi. I have same year and size Figlass Scamp. First time out was solo and a bit of a hairy ride at as boat became very light up front. Second time out last weekend with 2 pob, 3 tote tanks and full chilli bin got 5200rpm @wot - 32knts on gps. Love the motor. |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2010 at 12:02pm
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And here is the owner with the final fix...
I had a couple of fishing expeditions in the harbour before Easter, then had the boat at marine North for a week while they tested different heights of the motor and props. Things are looking good now with the motor one hole higher than it was and a 15" pitch instead of the 17" it had on it. We now get 5200 rpm WOT ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |