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looking at 96-99 gsx models and have questions

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seadoo/skidoo

seadoo/skidoo

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Well Its been about 2 years since I bought my 93 xp and I am ready to get another ski! I really like the look of the gsx models, and I have some questions:
1. whats the difference between the gs and gsx? motor size?
2. if im going to get a gsx am I better to get the 947 or just the 787? and which 947's are you suppose to stay away from silver or white motor? is there any noticeable top speed difference between the 787 and 950?
3. any real years to stay away from and any big problems with the gsx model line?
4. do all years have the dess lanyard?
5. how is the stability of this hull in comparison to an x4?
6. do they all have vts trim?

Thanks
Nathan
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Try this reference page. The white motor is the one with a bad rep.
http://seadoosource.com/seadoomodelreference.html
 
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seadoo/skidoo said:
Well Its been about 2 years since I bought my 93 xp and I am ready to get another ski! I really like the look of the gsx models, and I have some questions:
1. whats the difference between the gs and gsx? motor size?
2. if im going to get a gsx am I better to get the 947 or just the 787? and which 947's are you suppose to stay away from silver or white motor? is there any noticeable top speed difference between the 787 and 950?
3. any real years to stay away from and any big problems with the gsx model line?
4. do all years have the dess lanyard?
5. how is the stability of this hull in comparison to an x4?
6. do they all have vts trim?

Thanks
Nathan
Click to expand...

1- GS has a 720 motor, GSX has 787
2- 951 is faster, but more prone to problems (shorter engine lifespan). I think stay away from the white 951's but not sure. Never ridden a 951 gsx, but my 787 probably runs 50 mph on my gsx.
3- No major problems on any of the years. Watch out for grey fuel lines on carb'd engines, the fuel injected skis can be way more expensive to fix when the fuel system acts up.
4- Yes, all years have DESS
5- Much more stable than an X-4, can ride 2-up without tipping over. Ski is still very nimble on the water (not as much as an X-4), and you can still catch some air and in a straight line the GSX and XP are nearly identical in top speed
6- Yes, all have VTS

Hope this helps
 
CReynoldsMIZ said:
1- GS has a 720 motor, GSX has 787
2- 951 is faster, but more prone to problems (shorter engine lifespan). I think stay away from the white 951's but not sure. Never ridden a 951 gsx, but my 787 probably runs 50 mph on my gsx.
3- No major problems on any of the years. Watch out for grey fuel lines on carb'd engines, the fuel injected skis can be way more expensive to fix when the fuel system acts up.
4- Yes, all years have DESS
5- Much more stable than an X-4, can ride 2-up without tipping over. Ski is still very nimble on the water (not as much as an X-4), and you can still catch some air and in a straight line the GSX and XP are nearly identical in top speed
6- Yes, all have VTS

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

small correction - there were three models with that hull, GSX, GSi, and GS The GSX was the 787/951 powered version, and always had the infocenter, speedo gauge, and VTS. The GSi came with the 718 engine, and had a fuel gauge and VTS gauge only iirc, and the GS was 718 powered and had no VTS and a fuel gauge
 
Strizzo said:
small correction - there were three models with that hull, GSX, GSi, and GS The GSX was the 787/951 powered version, and always had the infocenter, speedo gauge, and VTS. The GSi came with the 718 engine, and had a fuel gauge and VTS gauge only iirc, and the GS was 718 powered and had no VTS and a fuel gauge
Click to expand...

thanks for clarifying that strizzo that is very important when looking at them. will deff be going with at least the gsi probably the gsx. thanks!

Nathan
 
The 951 is a noticeable difference in power over the 787. If you are mechanically inclined I'd say go for the GSX with the 951. I owned a 98 GSX and it was a lot of fun until the motor gave out.
 
thanks whiskeyD I'm thinking the 951 for the power! A few more questions. this is geared towards the motors them selfs, now the 720 has no counter balance shaft correct? but the 787 and 951 do so...my question is what lubricates the bearings on the shaft? are they prone to fail often? also what is the life expectancy of a 787 and a 951 if good oil is used? one thing i do like about the 951 is it's reeds and the oil pump in on the front of the motor!

Nathan
 
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Ah, the elusive 99 GSX limited. I think it's the best of the family. Cool color scheme, silver 951, and mirrors for towing with no spotter, at least in TN. I'd just be concerned if the rebuild was done by a reputable shop, did they use quality parts, and does the motor have a warranty?

I had a 96 GSX, it's more of a purplish blue. I made it the wife's ski, but I rode it plenty. The 951 GSXs have maybe 5-10mph more top speed and a little better hole shot.
 
SabrToothSqrl said:
Only the 97.5, 98, and 99 GSX LTD had 951s

And yes, they are wicked fun skis, very stable, very peppy. Doesn't cut the turns like my XP does.

You can expect 200-300 hours out of a well maintained 951.

My GSX:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4094673318041.2163806.1019051350&type=3
Click to expand...


The trick with the 951 motor is keeping water out of the motor....thats true of all motors, but esp the 951. Leaking manifold gaskets are very common on 951s.

There are exceptions....but without fogging the motor after EVERY ride and keeping the pipe to mani seal sealed, there is little chance of seeing 200hrs.
 
actually, the 01 and 02 uses a rubber gasket and manifold recovery envelope that seals much better than the 97.5-00 version. You have to change the exhaust manifold to use the new gasket.

I got 260 hours out of my last 951 and have 220 on another...
 
I just got a 96 GSX and decided to go with the more reliable 787 instead of getting a newer limited with the 951. My decision was based solely on reliability. This ski will be plenty fast for me.
 
I had a 98 GSX with the gray 951 - the ugly one with the red and purple. The colors actually grew on me after a while but
was that ski fast. It was like a thoroughbred that wanted to gallop. When I sold it to get a more comfortable ride for my wife
it had about 175 hours on it and I bought it at 112 hours and not one problem with it at all. The others had varying issues!

Gas mileage was great too. Goofing around used more obviously but cruising on trips it was a sipper. On a cruising trip
where I used half a 15 gallon tank in a 2002 DI (which already has pretty good gas mileage) she'd use half a tank too -
but that tank was only 9 gallons IIRC.
 
lamajama said:
I had a 98 GSX with the gray 951 - the ugly one with the red and purple. The colors actually grew on me after a while but
was that ski fast. It was like a thoroughbred that wanted to gallop. When I sold it to get a more comfortable ride for my wife
it had about 175 hours on it and I bought it at 112 hours and not one problem with it at all. The others had varying issues!

Gas mileage was great too. Goofing around used more obviously but cruising on trips it was a sipper. On a cruising trip
where I used half a 15 gallon tank in a 2002 DI (which already has pretty good gas mileage) she'd use half a tank too -
but that tank was only 9 gallons IIRC.
Click to expand...

the GSX's had 15 gallon tanks according to this: http://www.seadoosource.com/fueleconomy.html
 
Thanks guys for all the input, at this point im not sure what im going to go with im leaning towards 951 for big power over reliability lol. still wondering about what lubes the counter balance shafts in these motors and how long the bearings typically go for? thanks :cheers:

Nathan
 
Minnetonka4me said:
...and the best color scheme they ever had IMO. Wonder if you could wedge these RXX pipes I have in there....;)
Click to expand...

i just brought home a butt ugly turd ski, aka: the 98 GSXL, and honestly, i'm not sure I can bring myself to restore this thing, I can't imagine any color scheme worse than red/purple with purple mats. I'd have to sell it to a blind man ! The problem i'm having is that i might like this more than the RX i'm building (as far as the ride goes), so i'm not sure what the hell to do, i'd be inclined to keep it myself, but I'm not sure I can ride it without feeling extremely gay. People will point and say.. "wow, that gay guy has a fast ski" I think i'm going to just yank the engine and park it in a dark corner somewhere until i can decide what to do with it.
 
SabrToothSqrl said:
Remove the purple parts, replace with black or red from other skis. problem solved.
Click to expand...

ya i know, and since they made a 99 version with black/red, it might be possible to locate what I need, really just the hood and rub rails, fuel cap, 710 cap, and the steering cover, new turf, that really isn't an impossible list...,,

thanks, it seems less turd like already :)
 
yea I have the '99 :willy_nilly:

some of those after market seat covers are nice. a red/black or even a red/grey or all grey could be good
 
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