Honda - New Outboards

13.10.2006 nauCAT
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Honda - New Outboards
Technical details
Producer: Honda (JP)

Honda Marine announced the introduction of two new outboard engines, a 75-hp and a 90-hp. First, at 359 lbs. it is the lightest 4-stroke in its horsepower range, as much as 44 pounds lighter than at least one 4-stroke in its class. Second, Honda has what they call “BLAST” - for Boosted Low Speed Torque – which advances the ignition timing from a standing start with pedal-to-the metal that results in explosive hole shots.
Third, this 1.5 liter, 16 valve, in-line four cylinder engine is the same engine used in Honda Motor’s best-selling car – so it promises to be the most reliable outboard on the market. The engine has been put through more testing and actual use than virtually any outboard on the market, except Honda’s own 225-hp engine that is also a light truck engine. This is a big reason why Honda has won the JD Power and Associates award for customer satisfaction the last two years running.
There are a number of other innovations that Honda Marine has built into the engine including an oxygen sensor that adjusts the air/fuel mixture to speed and load while maximizing the power and fuel economy between 2000 and 4000 rpms, a three way cooling system that the company says keeps the head cooler than the block for reduced engine wear, and their VTEC™ system which engages a high output cam lobe at high rpm for greater high-enf performance.
Both the new 75-hp and 90-hp units have 44 amp alternators which provides 35 amps to the battery, according to Honda, along with a patented multi-layer paint process to fight off saltwater corrosion. The BF90 and BF75 boast an Engine Alert System that uses visual, audio and rpm reduction circuits to alert the operator of conditions which contribute to engine damage, such as overheating, low oil pressure and over-revving. So, no matter how blind or hard-of-hearing you may be, these instruments are going to get the message through to you that something is wrong and you had better shut the engine down.
By the way, those little chips in the Honda engine – and most other brands, too – will record how you ran the equipment. So the days of trying to pull one over on the warrantee mechanic are over. The Honda BF90 engine is available in both 25-inch and 20-inch shaft models, while the BF75 comes in a 20-inch shaft length.
Source: BoatTest Publishing

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