97 sportster single engine swap

[krazybob738]

Good morning:

I am thinking of buying a 97 seadoo sportster not sure which motor is in it I know I only has one engine it has one cylinder that has low compression I was wondering would it be hard to swap over the 787 or bigger motor and what would be needed thanks.

 

[Waterluvr]

A '97 Sportster used a single 85hp 717 series engine, the financial aspect of changing to a 110hp 787 will cost as much to replace the electronics that control the engine functions as the engine itself if you could even find the MPEM and electrical box to do it.

Those electronic boat modules are long obsolete and used ones bring ridiculous money on the used market. There is one on E-Bay currently for just under $800.00 for the module and e-box, add in the cost of a motor and whatever else you may need for repairs to the driveline or pump and ask yourself is it really worth it?

A fresh 717 engine runs that boat nicely so long as the engine is aligned and the driveline and pump are all in good order.

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

False, even the 787 is loud, slow and guzzles fuel like it's free. It's why im spending so much time and effort to put a 4tec into my 97 challenger. I can't imagine this boat would even plane out with more than 2ppl with a 720. Yes, I would upgrade to the 787 or even a 951. You will have to have an alignment tool to install the motor properly as well as glass in a new front mount. Just pick up a full jet ski for the conversion.