See full version: Volvo Penta 5. 0-5. 7 Specifications and Manuals
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Essential bolt torques are: main bearing cap bolts connecting rod cap bolts cylinder head bolts close [links]
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The What For
The Volvo Penta 5.0 measures 36.8” (93.5 cm) long x 28.6” (72.6 cm) wide x 32.1” (81.5cm) high and weighs roughly 1000 lbs. Measure your engine compartment and you’ll see that’s not a lot of room being taken up. This engine generally will be found in boats 20’ (6.10 m) – 25’ (7.62 m) when used as the boat’s single power source. If it’s part of a twin engine application, you’ll be looking at a boat of around 28’ (8.5 m) – 32’ (9.75 m) in length.
The Cost Factor
The first thing we’re really going to consider is cost. Say you were to purchase a Regal 1900 with a Volvo Penta 4.3 GXi. Faced with the upgrade choice, you’d add $4,868 to your purchase price for the 5.0 GXi. Of course we’re now faced with going from a non-catalyzed version to one with a catalytic converter, so we can’t get apples to apples yet, but the upgrade scenario is real world.
Let’s move over to Glastron for another example. The GT 205 offers an upgrade from the same 4.3 GXi to the 5.0 GXi (catalyzed) for $4,253 more, so we’re still in the same ballpark.
Let’s do one more. The Four Winns H200 offers the same upgrades, non cat to cat, so we’re in line with the others. This time the upgrade will set you back another $4,368, so we’re still in the same park, just some builders absorb more into the cost of the boat than others.
What is Volvo Penta Talking About?
One factor of these Volvo Penta gas engines that many find confusing, including us, is the nomenclature of each engine type. GI,GX… etc. What does it mean? It’s really simple code, and as it turns out, it’s not a secret where if they tell you, Volvo Penta will have to kill you. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize it’s pretty straightforward. Write this down…
First off, they all start with G, like in Gas.
• GL – Low output. This is for lower end 4.3s at 190-hp. There are no “L” engines above 4.3.
• GX – X is for Extreme. Why not use E for Extreme. We’ll get to that later. Generally an “X” engine has another 20-30 extra horses for an engine of the same size. The 4.3GL is 190-hp. The 4.3GX is 225-hp. The 5.0 series are all “X”.
• i – Fuel injected. No carburetor. For some reason it’s the only letter identifier that is in lower case and it’s good for the engine, but wreaks havoc on a spell check. The 5.0GXi is extreme hp and fuel injected.
• C – Engines with this designator will be equipped with a catalytic converter, just like in your car. This is a new requirement and any 5.0 engines manufactured after 12/09 will be required to be equipped with one. So why might your new boat not have one? Because manufacturers can still use up their supply of older non catalyzed engines, which they’re trying desperately to do as this feature adds roughly $3,500, but it’s a federal requirement now so don’t yell at the builder.
• (E) – The engine is set up to accommodate EVC or Electronic Vessel Control. This is the coolest thing to come along since ice and we’ll get into it in greater detail later. You can also see our dedicated video on the benefits of EVC. For now, let’s just stick with the basics and also the fact that now we know why “E” doesn’t stand for Extreme.
So to sum it all up, a 5.7 GXiC(E) will be a 5.7Liter, Gas engine, Extreme hp, fuel injected, equipped with a Catalytic converter, and accommodates EVC. See, simple.
So What Can It Do For Me?
There’s a good question. To determine the answer, we need to find similar boats tested with these two engines. Unfortunately, we don’t typically test the same boat with multiple engines, but we can come pretty close with two Stingray models we’ve tested separately. The Stingray 205CX was tested with the 4.3 GXi and the Stingray 205LR was tested with a 5.0 GXi, and only 100 lbs (45.3kg) separate the two. First let’s take a look at the full results of both tests.
Here are the test results for a Stingray 205CX with the standard Volvo Penta 4.3 GXi.
Here are the test results for a Stingray 205LR with the upgraded Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi.
The Stingray 205CX and LR are basically a bowrider and cuddy version of the same boat with only 100 lbs (45.3 kg) difference between the two.
Now let’s start drilling down to the pertinent numbers. [links]
Now we have a much more revealing set of data. Obviously with more horsepower we have more speed. The upgrade to the 5.0 gave us a 7.2% increase in top speed at WOT. Also not surprising is the added fuel flow of the larger engine. We’re upgrading from a V6 to a V8, so clearly, one would not upgrade to a 5.0 from a 4.3 for the fuel savings.
Cruise figures show that for the same 2500 rpm setting the speed is increased 11.3% with the 5.0 with a 15% increase in fuel consumption. We have more power but it’s still costing us more to use it. This is demonstrated again with similar boat speed settings. At 31.7/31.8 MPH there is a 12.1% increase in fuel consumption.
Why Bother Upgrading
But if we aren’t upgrading to save fuel, then why are we at all? The answer is simple. These tests are done on a boat holding only two people in a controlled environment. You don’t use your boat this way. You’ll fill it with friends and family and that adds weight. You’ll pull skiers or wakeboarders and that adds drag. You’ll operate in waves and wind along with current and that adds resistance. In all of these situations, you’re going to enjoy the benefits of more power that can be delivered by the larger engine, at a fuel penalty that most of us deem worth the added expense of that fuel and the larger engine.
If you just ride in your boat and go for trips from “A” to “B” then stick with the smaller engine.
Feature Packed
But one thing that is inescapable, with Volvo Penta as a whole, and the 5.0 itself, is the abundance of features that we found when we did our video tour. The ability to cleanly change the oil and filter, the effortless serpentine belt replacement procedure, the electronic control, or most important to the end user, the ability to take advantage of EVC.
EVC
This is the greatest technological leap forward since they started slicing bread, and it’s a feature that is directly felt and experienced by the operator.
The acronym stands for Electronic Vessel Control and it’s the latest development in engine control and instrumentation, and you can take it from someone who has tested EVC personally. Once you’ve experienced it, you never want to go back.
Because this isn’t a full blown EVC article, the short version is that EVC allows for plug and play installation between the motor, and both the engine controls and helm gauges, that allows you to not only control the flow of data to the helm but electronically control the engines, and therefore the output and synchronization with effortless authority.
That means that all those mechanical connections between the helm and the engine are long gone, and adding a remote location for your engine controls, say at the stern or for wing controls, is as easy as adding another wiring run. And the digital controls are opening up a whole new breed of capability. Cruise modes, tow modes, trim assist, single lever modes… all are available at the push of a button.
Clearly the Volvo Penta 5.0 is much more than just an engine. It’s technology at its finest, and the ability to exploit that technology will only serve to make our days on the water more hassle free, and therefore more enjoyable.
See our Volvo Penta EVC video and report. here
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5.7Gi-E; 5.7Gi-EF; 5.7GXi-F; 5.7GXi-FF; 5.7OSi-D; 5.7OSi-DF; 5.7OSXi-D; 5.7OSXi-DF; 5.7GiI-E; 5.7GXiI-F more
5.7GiE-300-JF; 5.7GiE-300-J; 5.7GXiE-J; 5.7GXiE-JF; 5.7OSiE-300-JF; 5.7OSiE-300-J; 5.7OSXiE-J; 5.7OSXiE-JF; 5.7GiCE-300-JF; 5.7GiC-300-JF; 5.7GiCE-300-J; 5.7GiC-300-J; 5.7GXiCE-J; 5.7GXiCE-JF; 5.7GiE-300-KF; 5.7GiE-300-K; 5.7GiE-300-M; 5.7GXiE-MF; 5.7GXiE-M; 5.7GiE-300-N; 5.7GiCE-300-MF; 5.7GiCE-300-M; 5.7GXiE-N; 5.7GXiCE-M; 5.7GiCE-300-P; 5.7GiC-300-P; 5.7GXiCE-P; 5.7GXiC-P; 5.7GXiE-P; 5.7GiE-300-R; 5.7GiCE-300-R; 5.7GiC-300-R; 5.7GXiE-320-R; 5.7GXiCE-320-R; 5.7GXiC-320-R; V8-300-E-A; V8-300-CE-A; V8-300-C-A; V8-320-E-A; V8-320-CE-A; V8-320-C-A; V8-300-E-B; V8-300-CE-B; V8-320-E-B; V8-320-CE-B; V8-320-C-B; V8-300-C-B more
5.7GL-A; 5.7GL-B; 5.7GL-C; 5.7Gi-C; 5.7GL-D; 5.7GL-E here
5.0GXi-J; 5.0GXi-JF; 5.0OSi-J; 5.0OSi-JF; 5.0GXi-N more
Marine Parts Express created this customized parts list for the engine model you selected. All are genuine Volvo Penta parts and Volvo Penta of the Americas, Inc. warrants that new or factory exchange parts and accessories will be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of one year. We have translated some of the hard-to-understand part names into easier names. You will however see the original Volvo Penta part name when you order. If there is an engine serial number in the notes box, it refers to the SN break. If the part number doesn't match what you see on your part, it may be that the part number has been superceded. Check with us if you have questions. Click on the part number to see our discounted price and how to order. more