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2 stroke or 4 stroke?
- Thread starter Mrand55
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sporsterjoel
New Member
4 STROKE ALL THE WAY!!!!!
At this stage a 2-stroke engine is a dinosaur - one that has no real development future as it is a smoky, inefficient and noisy powerplant. But MAN does it ever have power to displacement. And the simplicity is very attractive as more modern equipment becomes way more sophisticated than a DIY mechanic will be able to deal with.
That said, the tempermental nature of a 2-stroke is overshadowed by the reliability and "balanced" approach of a 4-stroke. The complexity goes up phenomenally with closed loop cooling, computerize fuel injection and even superchargers. But the benefits of what amounts to proven automotive technology make new craft very attractive.
If you are a tinkerer, then a 2-stroke is a lot of fun, a lot of work, and a lot simpler to work on.
If you don't ever want to mess with mechanicals and have slightly deeper pockets for initial price, then a 4-stroke is more up your alley.
That said, the tempermental nature of a 2-stroke is overshadowed by the reliability and "balanced" approach of a 4-stroke. The complexity goes up phenomenally with closed loop cooling, computerize fuel injection and even superchargers. But the benefits of what amounts to proven automotive technology make new craft very attractive.
If you are a tinkerer, then a 2-stroke is a lot of fun, a lot of work, and a lot simpler to work on.
If you don't ever want to mess with mechanicals and have slightly deeper pockets for initial price, then a 4-stroke is more up your alley.
Nate Surveyor
New Member
JPX,
That is an excellent and concise answer.
I'll try to remember all that.
I wish I'd a said all that!
Nate
That is an excellent and concise answer.
I'll try to remember all that.
I wish I'd a said all that!
Nate
The engines themselves aren't necessarily illegal as much as the emissions the 2stroke creates are.. Many 2strokes won't pass emission standards and thus make them unfit (illegal) for the water. If you can get your 2stroke to pass standard then you're set. I believe what is happening is that many waters are deeming all 2strokes to be unfit because it's very difficult to police the standard, so they assume all 2strokes as failing.
Hold your horses!.............
I think there are several comments here that are either obsolete or inaccurate. I've never heard of a 2 stroke being illegal........
In days gone by, we used to premix 6 gallons of gas with a small bottle that was the correct amount of a 50:1 mix, for running in our 2 strokes. But, that method caused them to not only smoke, but blow oil everywhere! You could see a sheen behind a stroke a mile long. The reason was because, at high speed rates, we got the engines hot and burned off most, if not all the oil. In an idle situation, we blew a lot of that oil out the back.....environmentalist screamed.
Now, with the VROI,(Variable Ratio Oil Injection) pump, we only pump in the oil that we are going to burn, therefore, leaving no mask of smoke to contend with. You may see a little steam.....
But for the best part for last..........the 2 cycle engines use the roller ball and needle pin bearings.............they can last a life time. The bearings in a 4 stroke, are like that of a car, or 4 stroke motorcycle. Made with babbitt in them. Your oil gets hot or your engine overheats, you wipe that babbitt right out of that main journal.( if the Oil Temp. Sensor or any of the multiple safeguards should fail)
My 787 is going to last a lot longer than your Super Charged 4-TEC, or if it lasts as long as mine, at least I won't have to spend the kind of money that your going to have to put in it to keep it running in top form, especially if it's Super Charged!..................Yes, I'm a 2 cycle man!...:cheers:
I think there are several comments here that are either obsolete or inaccurate. I've never heard of a 2 stroke being illegal........
In days gone by, we used to premix 6 gallons of gas with a small bottle that was the correct amount of a 50:1 mix, for running in our 2 strokes. But, that method caused them to not only smoke, but blow oil everywhere! You could see a sheen behind a stroke a mile long. The reason was because, at high speed rates, we got the engines hot and burned off most, if not all the oil. In an idle situation, we blew a lot of that oil out the back.....environmentalist screamed.
Now, with the VROI,(Variable Ratio Oil Injection) pump, we only pump in the oil that we are going to burn, therefore, leaving no mask of smoke to contend with. You may see a little steam.....
But for the best part for last..........the 2 cycle engines use the roller ball and needle pin bearings.............they can last a life time. The bearings in a 4 stroke, are like that of a car, or 4 stroke motorcycle. Made with babbitt in them. Your oil gets hot or your engine overheats, you wipe that babbitt right out of that main journal.( if the Oil Temp. Sensor or any of the multiple safeguards should fail)
My 787 is going to last a lot longer than your Super Charged 4-TEC, or if it lasts as long as mine, at least I won't have to spend the kind of money that your going to have to put in it to keep it running in top form, especially if it's Super Charged!..................Yes, I'm a 2 cycle man!...:cheers:
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markrvp
New Member
I've got two skis - a 4-stroke and a 2-stroke. The 4-stroke has run tirelessly all summer with no maintenance. The 2-stroke has required constant maintenance and repairs.
Now, the cost of the 2-stroke with repair and maintenance costs is still less than what I paid for the 4-stroke, but I much prefer the 4-stroke.
Probably a trite summary would be: buy a 4-stroke if you like riding PWCs; buy a 2-stroke if you like working on PWCs.
Now, the cost of the 2-stroke with repair and maintenance costs is still less than what I paid for the 4-stroke, but I much prefer the 4-stroke.
Probably a trite summary would be: buy a 4-stroke if you like riding PWCs; buy a 2-stroke if you like working on PWCs.
1997......787cc
I've run about 12 tanks of gas through my 1997 model 787 this summer and have done no maintenance except to read the plugs and make one small adjustment to the low speed screw on the PTO carb.
That's it!........nothing but fun on this 2 cycle!.........
Oh, BTW.....2 stroke or 4 stroke?.......it's like a religion. There is going to be those that swear by the protestant faith and those that swear by the catholic faith...........so, by the same token, the engines are just the same.......it's all in what you believe in!...........:cheers:
I've run about 12 tanks of gas through my 1997 model 787 this summer and have done no maintenance except to read the plugs and make one small adjustment to the low speed screw on the PTO carb.
That's it!........nothing but fun on this 2 cycle!.........
Oh, BTW.....2 stroke or 4 stroke?.......it's like a religion. There is going to be those that swear by the protestant faith and those that swear by the catholic faith...........so, by the same token, the engines are just the same.......it's all in what you believe in!...........:cheers:
robin savell lloyd
Active Member
12 tanks of gas allready this summer. Would you like to join my new 2 stroke church? :rofl:
Just kiding that sounds like you have been haveing alot more fun then the most of us. :cheers:
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