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Volvo Penta 8.1GXI.
Anybody have any opinions on how these motors are?

Better hope you have good windshield wipers, when all the ladys throw their bikini tops at you on the way by

dustinm wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:35 pm Better hope you have good windshield wipers, when all the ladys throw their bikini tops at you on the way by

Sorry but it's the buttoms. Lol long story. DP!!

Dropout wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:36 pm Volvo Penta 8.1GXI.
Anybody have any opinions on how these motors are?

Well the guys just talked me out of selling mine again. In some boats they are just rare. I had both the gi and gxi no comparison between them.

dustinm wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:35 pm Better hope you have good windshield wipers, when all the ladys throw their bikini tops at you on the way by

Only one rule on my boat.

One piece bathing suits.

Ladies get to choose tops or bottoms

ooohhh what a dilemma!!

Big Block Power wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:57 pm

dustinm wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:35 pm Better hope you have good windshield wipers, when all the ladys throw their bikini tops at you on the way by

Sorry but it's the buttoms. Lol long story. DP!!

Nothing DPs like the VPs!

Dropout wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:36 pm Volvo Penta 8.1GXI.
Anybody have any opinions on how these motors are?

Have you ever been the new guy at work, get invited to for drinks afterwards with some old timers at the company, and sit there all night thinking ..... what the heck am I doing here?

I have no opinion on the GXI.

dustinm wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:35 pm Better hope you have good windshield wipers, when all the ladys throw their bikini tops at you on the way by

Average age on my lake maybe in the 50's....keep tops on please.

Went for a sea trial on a 2008 262 w/ the 8.1 GXI. Pretty impressed with the torque of this motor, performed really well. Although, at idle the motor had a bit of a shake to it, kinda like it was surging. Owner said that was normal?

If the GXI is like the Merc H.O., they have larger cams in them to create the extra power which create a a bit of a lope. Without knowing the severity of the 'shake' you experienced, I assume its from the larger cam. The lope/shake should go away as you bring the throttle off idle. If it persists, then there could be other issues (bad plugs, fuel filter, IAC valve, etc). Just my 2 cents.

Dropout wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2020 6:41 pm Went for a sea trial on a 2008 262 w/ the 8.1 GXI. Pretty impressed with the torque of this motor, performed really well. Although, at idle the motor had a bit of a shake to it, kinda like it was surging. Owner said that was normal?

Sounds alot like mine. Listen to my idle. But notice the engine doesn't shake at all. It does have a slight surge but it's hard to hear. You can s the tach move. If you listen long enough you can hear it.

I have owned boats with VP 5.0 GXi, VP 5.7 GXi, Merc 7.4, VP 8.1 GXi, and VP-380 (current). Of all of these engines, the 8.1 was my favorite. It was silky smooth and these things are very reliable and durable. The best part is staring one - heart pounding rumble on start up. A gentle giant really.

The VP-380 is awesome, but it lacks the smoothness of the big blocks, and has a weird vibration at certain RPMs.

I still believe the best boat motor is the big block. I just wish GM would make an LS version of the big block.


Just my opinion, no facts or credentials to back this up. Take this with a grain of salt.

Mmmmm 8.2L LS...

8.1 8.2 whatever it takes...