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Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

Old 06-10-2004, 09:54 AM
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Default Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

Powerboat Magazine http://www.powerboatmag.com/breakingnews/story103.php


6.09.04—MERCURY RACING DROPPING THREE ENGINES FROM LINEUP: Once the backbone of the Mercury Racing engine line, the HP500EFI will be discontinued in 2005. Also on the chopping block for the coming model-year are the HP575SCi and Scorpion 377 power plants. Despite the discontinuations, however, the Fond du Lac, Wisc., company will continue to stock parts for the engines
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Old 06-10-2004, 09:59 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

I wounder what new H.P. engine will replace them?
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Old 06-10-2004, 10:00 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

The 525??
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Old 06-10-2004, 10:05 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

Your going to have is the 496's and the 525... out with the old technology and in with the new.. I was considering a 500 EFI for the new boat,, glad I didn't go with one... not that I think parts will EVER be a problem, but it will probably hurt re-sale with discontinued engines.. time will tell.
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Old 06-10-2004, 10:12 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

Sorry to see the 500efi go. That was a well proven solid motor.
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Old 06-10-2004, 10:12 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

Just read in July PB also. Merc is working on the big gap between 525 and 1075.
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Old 06-10-2004, 10:13 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

Pretty much expected all three of those to drop sometime.
Everyone is streamlining production. Perhaps this will be a catalyst to a someday Mercury 750HP or thereabouts power package.

The 377 Scorpion was God awful expensive for a small block. I think it rivaled the price of an 500EFI.

The 525EFI is a superior motor to the 500EFI, ever so slightly, with more HP, and much favored closed cooling, which is more attractive those buying new boats. Some of us disagree, however, the closed cooling on the 496 has been very popular since its introduction, and helps them sell packages. And if you look at what they did with the 454 and 502 Mags a few years ago, with the intro of the 496 Mag and HO, you can see how the 575SCi went the way of the fishes as well. The 525EFI is under-rated, reported to be making anywhere from 535 to 545 cshp in unofficial tests. If Merc can sell/convince the public to buy this package, with its attractive closed cooling, and not have to deal with SCs, as in the 575SCi, and warranty on such a package, (except for the 900/1075, or whatever they are building this year), this is a more streamlined production effort for them.

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Old 06-10-2004, 10:14 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

That was why the developed the 525. Kinda old news, but thanks for the update!
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Old 06-10-2004, 10:15 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

525 EFI has been there future for them and I think the 575 is going because there is not much difference in HP relatively (40-50hp) considering all the extra harware needed (blower and all).

I bet your not going to see much save for the 525 from Merc Racing they will try to have people go to 496HO also.

Apart from that I don't know about the 1075sci with re-builds every 60 hours and the price tag beiing stratospheric compared to reputable Hi-HP builders around. ie: Chief and Sterling
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Old 06-10-2004, 10:18 AM
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Default Re: Merc. dropping 3 engines.. bye bye 500 EFI !!

Thursday, June 10 Site Map


6.09.04—MERCURY RACING DROPPING THREE ENGINES FROM LINEUP: Once the backbone of the Mercury Racing engine line, the HP500EFI will be discontinued in 2005. Also on the chopping block for the coming model-year are the HP575SCi and Scorpion 377 power plants. Despite the discontinuations, however, the Fond du Lac, Wisc., company will continue to stock parts for the engines.

"The 525 is, by far, our most popular engine," said Rick Mackie of Mercury Racing. "It's just taken over in consumer use and racing. With everything it offers, it's a pretty good value."

That value—and consumer response to it—played a significant role in Mercury Racing's decision to discontinue the HP575SCi. With a Bravo XR drive, the HP525EFI retails for $45,216. An HP575SCi engine with the same drive package costs $56,403. Approximately 25 hp or less separates the two engines. Plus, the HP525EFI features closed cooling and SmartCraft technology. The only other Mercury Racing engine with SmartCraft is the 1075SCi.

The elimination of the 575 will leave Mercury Racing with a significant gap between its 525-plus-hp HP525EFI and its supercharged 1,075-hp HP1075SCi engines. Mackie said the company is currently developing an engine to fill the void.

Mercury Racing is currently backlogged with orders for the HP525EFI. Mackie said the company hopes to be caught up by the end of this month.

"The whole market seemed to really open around boat-show time," said Mackie. "Some of that was forecast, but obviously some of it was not—on both our side and the OEM side. And around the first of the year, we put together a promotion around racing that was quite a success. I think that accounted for about 20 (HP525EFI) engines."

A stronger performer in the field, the small-block-based 377 Scorpion never performed well in terms of sales. Its chances for success dropped further when MerCruiser, a separate company from Mercury Racing though both are under the Mercury Marine umbrella, introduced the 320-hp MX 6.2 MPI engine two years ago.

"The pure cost of the 377 with all its specialty parts—it just didn't move very well," said Mackie. "With the 6.2, you get similar power and SmartCraft at a lower price.—Matt Trulio
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