LRV 4-tec conversion

[chuck williams]

The 2 stroke engine in my 2000 LRV has recently seized up. I am considering buying a used/damaged GTX 4-tec and installing everything into the LRV. Has anyone converted a GTX or LRV from a 2 stroke to 4-tec? What are the pitfalls of this conversion? Are there any dealers who are promoting this conversion.

 

[ReggieFilm]

I know exactly how you feel. My engine ran fine in my LRV when I flushed it, came back a few weeks later and it was seized, for a third time. A promise is a promise and I gladly yanked my 951 out and threw it on the ground! I have never heard of anyone actually converting to a 4-tec but I'm giving it a whirl. I've purchased the engine and "guts" from an RXP and plan to drop it in during the next few weeks. My biggest challenge so far is figuring out how/if I will be able to get the instrument cluster panel to talk to the new 4-tec's computer. I hope it will. Nonetheless, I see it's been a while since you've posted. Did you make the conversion?

 

[Dr Honda]

If you guys do the conversion... please post up some pics !!

 

[ReggieFilm]

I plan to document this things as much as I can. I'll certainly be glad to share the experience because I know there are others out there who are as disappointed as I am about the awesome ride of the LRV and no 4 stroke options.

My present challenges are needing a fuel pump, tank and possibly the gauge cluster for a 2004 RXP to install on my LRV.

 

[joshpxj]

I was considering a swap like this in my GSX. My biggest issue that I could think of was mounting the engine in the hull correctly in relation to the shaft. Glassing in new mounts etc. Didn't have one laying around to test fit, so I abandoned the idea. May revisit if this is a success. Good luck and have fun!

 

[ReggieFilm]

I will document later but we did start the process this past weekend. You are correct about the motor mounts as I'm currently in the process of reinforcing the floor of my ski to accommodate the much heavier engine. We have a saying in the film industry; if you throw enough money at a problem, it'll go away!

 

[joshpxj]

Right!
Too bad my money tree won't grow.

 

[Dennis]

How do you plan to cool the 4tec engine?

 

[ReggieFilm]

I'll post pics later. I've purchased a heat exchanger to run the salt water through and keep the engine coolant low. I've also ordered a temperature gauge to monitor the coolant. My current challenge is making a collar to install the RXP sending unit on my LRV 25gal tank. I didn't want to trade for the smaller RXP tank so I'm modifying my big one.
This week I have a fiberglass specialist coming from a boat manufacturer to move the three motor mounts for me. My shopping list has been humongous for this endeavor. Santa Clause (dressed as the Fedex deliveryman) keeps bringing me gifts on my front porch!

So far I have purchased an engine in FL, had it freighted up to NC with exhaust system, jet pump assembly, shaft, cluster, harnesses, etc. From the dealer I've purchased new senors, oil, coolant, carbon ring assembly and box of other goodies. I think this coming weekend I should be able to start dropping things in starting with the pump and working my way forward.

 

[ReggieFilm]

How do you like that Islandia? Looks like a nice boat

 

[Dennis]

Where are you going to mount the heat exchanger? Please explain how this cooling system is gonna work. :cheers:

 

[ReggieFilm]

I'm mounting the heat exchanger just over the shaft where the old relay/ignition box used to be. The water will be pressurized coming in off the jet pump (per the LRV shop manual) and will leave the exchanger, passing through the exhaust system while exiting the craft. The HE is an ITT Standard I purchased from Ebay for around $50, although originally priced at $600 (ITT's website)!!

 

[Chester]

Why not just use an open loop cooling system?

Chester

 

[ReggieFilm]

I have finally finished the conversion and have been testing it out for the past few weekends. Work this summer has been wide open six days a week so it's hard to find time for the LRV working 75+hrs a week. Nonetheless, the ski is amazing!! It has so much more power than it once did with the 2-smoke 135hp motor. I spun the drive shaft out of it July 4th and went with a new shaft. I had it machined where they stretched it an inch which I attribute to "the price of schooling" as my dad would say.

On the water, I still don't know how fast it will go because my nerves couldn't take it once it neared 60 and was still climbing. It pulled a skier out of the water with no problem although just like driving a fast muscle-car (like a Mustang Shelby!), you can't give it full throttle from a dead stop. The worst problems on my punch-list have been water issues - like making sure the thru-hull boot has adequate pressure on the carbon ring. So far I'm so glad I've done this conversion because to me, it's totally worth it! I love the LRV and this engine is just what it needed. If the motor blows up, it doesn't matter because I still pulled off this conversion not being a gearhead and knowing an incredibly small amount of knowledge concerning this endeavor.

Here is the video youtube link the very first day I had it on the water in a duck pond...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=UPX-1w1sAq0

The mods might not like this but I do have another forum with photos at green hulk dot net called "Overhauling LRV with a 4 tec" (the link wouldn't post in here)

I have more pics and will upload soon. See ya on the water!

 

[Dr Honda]

Thanks for posting the vid. Please post pics when you get a chance.

 

[Dennis]

I have finally finished the conversion and have been testing it out for the past few weekends. Work this summer has been wide open six days a week so it's hard to find time for the LRV working 75+hrs a week. Nonetheless, the ski is amazing!! It has so much more power than it once did with the 2-smoke 135hp motor. I spun the drive shaft out of it July 4th and went with a new shaft. I had it machined where they stretched it an inch which I attribute to "the price of schooling" as my dad would say.

On the water, I still don't know how fast it will go because my nerves couldn't take it once it neared 60 and was still climbing. It pulled a skier out of the water with no problem although just like driving a fast muscle-car (like a Mustang Shelby!), you can't give it full throttle from a dead stop. The worst problems on my punch-list have been water issues - like making sure the thru-hull boot has adequate pressure on the carbon ring. So far I'm so glad I've done this conversion because to me, it's totally worth it! I love the LRV and this engine is just what it needed. If the motor blows up, it doesn't matter because I still pulled off this conversion not being a gearhead and knowing an incredibly small amount of knowledge concerning this endeavor.

Here is the video youtube link the very first day I had it on the water in a duck pond...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=UPX-1w1sAq0

The mods might not like this but I do have another forum with photos at green hulk dot net called "Overhauling LRV with a 4 tec" (the link wouldn't post in here)

I have more pics and will upload soon. See ya on the water!

Got any pics yet? :cheers: