75 hp mercury mod to a 115hp???-gctid805626

[LiquidTherapy]

I have the 2017 Element 16 with the 75hp mercury outboard. I heard that the 75hp and the 115hp are basically the same and with a mod. the 75 can become a 115. Is this true and has anyone tried this? What is everyone thoughts on this?

[Download_Complete]

With Mercury simplifying their engine platforms, they have a lot of situations like this....lower HP engines sharing platforms with the higher HP models (75 and 115, 4.5L V6 at 200 and 250 hp).

I think these engines are too new to figure out if they can be easilly modified. I hear rumors that the outboards can, but nobody has done it and written it up.

It certainly APPEARS that an ECU flash will get you the extra power.

[Ruffryder]

True...Mercury 4 stroke 75, 90, & 115 are all the same motor just different ECM programing and a little restrictor ring in the 75 , different lower gearing on 115.

Remove the restrictor ring in the air box, ECM needs to be reflashed, remapped.

[seadoorider]

While this all may be true....sure seems logical I know some folks have looked at the hardware and agree it's essentially the same between the 3 ratings, I've yet to see anyone actually do this and verify it with a dyno etc. Likewise I do not know of a company who sells upgraded tunes or what type of programmer you would use to upload it.

If anyone has anything verified on this, I'd be interested to know.

[Ruffryder]

Company down in California has reflashed more than enough of these ECUs and verified.

[seadoorider]

Links? I think I've seen a website for the company you speak of. They claim to do ECM programing, fine but their web site is pretty void of specifics. They could be top notch, but I have some experience with automotive tuning and there are some people out there that know their stuff and some that don't.

What I'd need to see are some specifics on the 75-115 2.1L platform, what generally the changes are - some dyno results to verify, some actual customer reviews, better yet if they are independent of the tuner.

Some bad code could easily wreck a modern engine and the OEM will not have any mercy on you (i.e. voided warranty) if you've reprogrammed from factory settings.

One example of where this is done "right" is the Seadoo spark PWC. The base spark comes with a 60hp rating, a 90hp rating is available. The engines are the same except for tuning. In fact if you buy the 90hp option, you have the ability to operate it in 60hp mode. Likewise, if you bought the 60, the dealer can, with OEM blessing, reflash you to a 90hp with a factory tune for a price. I would trust this.

In the case of an Element the only place where something like this could occur with the combined blessing of the motor mfg and the boat builder would be on the E18 with the 90hp upgraded to 115. Upgrading the 75 to a 90 or 115 on the E16 would be beyond the boat's ratings - though I sincerely doubt it'd be anything close to truly overpowered.

[nclexman]

I spoke with my marina mechanics who noted that this modification will void the warranty. Otherwise they agree it can be done. Worth it? You decide.

[Guest]

According to the parts catalogs, there is no difference between the 75 and the 90 other than the restrictor plate that I can see. The 115 camshaft and ECM are, however, different part numbers from the 75/90. Going from 75 to 90 by removing the plate shouldn't hurt a bit, and flashing or swapping out the ECM shouldn't either, unless you run at WOT and overrev the RPMs all day. Since the camshaft on the 115 appears to be just a tad larger, you probably won't be at a true 115 with the 75, but you should be close, well over 100.

I plan on pulling my restrictor plate this afternoon while I'm getting the boat cleaned up for the weekend. If I like the results, I'll order the ECM for the 115 for around $300 and see what that does.

So going from 75 to 90 is free, 90 to 115ish would run you anywhere from 300-700. Either will void your warranty if discovered, so do what ya like.

[Ruffryder]

$300 for the new 115 ECM is much cheaper than getting it reflashed. ...

[LiquidTherapy]

GUEST, let us know how that mod went. What kind of RMS did it run and how was the change noticeable.

[LiquidTherapy]

Anyone have any updates on this? "GUEST"- How about you?

[PuraVidaTN]

I would like to know how the 75 to 90 by removing the plate works out