What is TLDI?

TLDI® (Two stroke Low pressure Direct Injection) is a powerful direct fuel injection system that reduces emissions over conventional carbureted 2-stroke motors while also greatly increasing fuel and oil economy.

With a TLDI® outboard, you get all the efficiencies of a 4-stroke outboard and all of the power of a 2-stroke outboard in one.

In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new regulations governing the emissions of outboards sold in the United States.  The purpose of these regulations is to reduce the pollutants created by outboard motors.  In short, the EPA regulations mandate that all outboards meet certain emission requirements by the year 2006. Outboard manufacturer’s are using a variety of technologies to reduce the emissions of their outboards including 4-stroke and direct injection 2-stroke technologies.

Do TLDI® motors meet the 2006 EPA requirements and/or the CARB requirements?

YES! All TLDI® motors meet or exceed the 2006 EPA requirements for outboard emissions.

In addition, they also exceed the 2006 CARB (California Air Resource Board) emissions requirements and have earned the CARB “2-Star” (Very Low Emissions) rating.

Absolutely not!  The EPA requirements only specify that outboards must meet certain emission restrictions.

As long as the motor meets the restrictions, it doesn’t matter what technology is used. Our TLDI® technology meets all EPA emission regulations. Furthermore, the EPA regulations only stipulate that models produced after 2006 meet the restrictions, but in no way do they prevent current owners of any outboard from using their motor after 2006. It is similar to how the EPA phased out the older ‘leaded’ gasoline cars…you could continue to use them, but manufacturers were not able to produce them.

The biggest challenge facing outboard manufacturers in meeting the 2006 EPA regulations is which technology to use…direct injection (DI) 2-stroke or 4-stroke.  Both technologies can be used to meet the 2006 standards and both technologies have significant advantages over carbureted 2-strokes. Most manufacturers are taking a “two-pronged” approach and using a combination of DI and 4-stroke depending on the horsepower of the motor.

One problem that plagues 4-strokes is weight and as every boater knows, the more weight on a boat, the poorer the performance of the boat. Four stroke motors are inherently heavy due to the much higher number of parts required compared to a 2-stroke motor.

TLDI® motors on the other hand use our existing and proven 2-stroke blocks and combine that with our advanced DI technology to produce a lighter, “new technology” motor.  In fact our 90 TLDI® weighs up to 24% less than competitor’s 4-stroke 90 hp motors.  This weight savings gives the TLDI® better acceleration and performance than a 4-stroke.

Fuel economy of our TLDI® not only rivals a 4-stroke but at most RPM ranges, is actually better than a 4-stroke.

The weight of a 90 TLDI® outboard is quite a bit less than the average 4-stroke. By using existing 2-stroke components and combining them with our advanced TLDI® technology, we are able to create a lightweight outboard that meets all EPA/CARB emission requirements.  Not only do you get an outboard that uses our proven 2-stroke block but the weight savings versus a comparable 4-stroke translates into better performance for your boat.

For larger motors, TLDI® makes perfect sense since you get all of the advantages of a 4-stroke and the lighter weight gives the TLDI® models better acceleration and performance over a 4-stroke.  One reason the TLDI® technology is not applied to smaller motors is that TLDI® motors have an electronic “brain” (ECU) that controls the operation of the motor  as well as electronic fuel pumps. Naturally these electronics must be powered by the motor’s battery. While the TLDI® technology could be adapted to smaller motors, very few users want to use a battery when using a small motor on an inflatable boat or a sailboat for example.

What is Low-Pressure Direct Injection (such as TLDI®) and how is it different from High-Pressure Direct Injection?

A high-pressure system forces straight fuel, up to 1000 psi, into the cylinder through the injector. A high-pressure system does not blend air with the fuel, so the droplets of fuel are much larger and do not burn as completely as fuel droplets in a low-pressure system. A less complete burn results in weakened fuel economy and the intense stress of 1000 pounds of pressure can also cause unneeded strain on the motor’s components.

A low-pressure system, such as TLDI®, mixes both air and fuel to disperse microscopic fuel droplets at only 80 psi. With droplets as small as 10 microns, we achieve a more thorough and complete burn of the fuel resulting in lower emissions and higher fuel economy without subjecting the components to the intense pressure used by other direct injection systems.

With the TLDI® system you achieve a dramatic increase in fuel economy over conventional 2-strokes. The TLDI® system will even provide better fuel economy than a comparable 4-stroke while at trolling and cruising speeds.

You will always need to use a high grade TCW3 oil designed for use in Direct Injection motors.  Regular TCW3 outboard oil is not recommended for use in the TLDI® models  Most outboard companies offer a high grade/premium TCW3 oil designed for use in Direct Injection motors.  The following oils have been tested by our factory and certified for use in TLDI® motors:

• Tohatsu Premium Oil

• Nissan Marine Premium Oil

• Pennzoil Complete Marine Synthetic

• Pennzoil Semi-Synthetic Outboard Oil

• Mercury Optimax/DFI Oil

• Yamaha Yamalube 2-M Semi-Synthetic Injector Oil

• Bombardier RAM Ficht Oil

The above oil brands are currently the only brands that have been tested and approved by our factory for use in TLDI® systems.

A unique feature on our TLDI® outboards is our user adjustable idle speed system.  By pressing in on the key switch, you are able to adjust the idle from 700 to 900 RPM’s  while you are using your outboard. Our TLDI® system will even remember the last setting and use this speed the next time you use your motor. In areas where currents are stronger or constantly changing, this makes time spent trolling all the more easier and pleasant. And because the TLDI® is a direct injection outboard, trolling for extended periods of time drastically reduces the occurrence of fouled spark plugs.

Unlike a 4-stroke motor, there is no special maintenance required for a TLDI®. We do, however, recommend that you change your water pump impeller every year. We also recommend that you change the compressor drive belt, air filter, and fuel filter every 2 years or 200 hours. Other than that, you follow basic outboard maintenance as outlined in your owner’s manual.

We thoroughly test new outboards for years before they are introduced to consumers. The TLDI® system was tested for 6 years before being released. These outboards also use the same tried and true components we’ve been using in our conventional 2-strokes for years, giving boat owners exceptional reliability and the utmost confidence in their outboard backed our 3+1year limited warranty.

We currently offer a 40hp, 50hp, 70hp, 90hp and 115hp in a TLDI® version. Over the next few years you can expect to see our TLDI® system incorporated in all of our upper hp outboards from 40hp on up. As each model is scheduled for release, the relevant specifications will be posted to the “Products” section of our website, so be sure and check back often for the latest in outboard technology.

We offer one of the best warranty coverage of any Direct Injection outboard available on the market. Our new 3+1 limited warranty actually provides four years (48 months) of coverage from the first date of retail sale or actual installation. The second and third years of the warranty cover the cost of parts and labor for major components and TLDI® technology-related components including the powerhead, direct injection system, exhaust system and 16 other major components. The fourth year covers the parts and labor for TLDI® technology components.

The TLDI® system provides all of the things you need in an outboard. It provides superior performance while providing exceptional fuel and oil savings. A TLDI® outboard produces fewer emissions and meets all federal and state requirements for outboard emission control. At low rpm, vibration is almost non-existent and acceleration from low to high speed is extremely smooth and sharp making the outboard very responsive. Also, the reduction of air intakes from three to one allows much quieter operation.
 
The TLDI® system received a 2001 Editors’ Choice Award from Motorboating magazine for its’ “innovation, ingenuity, and imagination.”
 
With a TLDI® outboard you get all the punch & power of a 2-stroke combined with the quietness and fuel efficiency that rivals 4-strokes, together into one fantastic motor.