Lt for Life

Bajarunner you are correct about 4200-4300 with the 23 pitch 53 mph on gps.

I bought the boat this spring and I am ready for more power. As of right now I don't have any plans on increasing beyond the stock 496 ho. I have been looking for a 496 or 502 and found a nice used 496.

Are the accessories on my 310hp 454 mpi switchable to a long block 502? I see a lot of long blocks but not a lot of Turn key motors.

Thanks
Lt.

turnerrd

I'd stick with your plan for a 496 ho. It makes mor hp and has significantly more torque than a 502 mpi. The electronics are much more advanced, closed cooling, better exhaust manifolds and risers.
As for your water intake hose it should plug right on.
Although it is true that the pistons, rods and crank are cast they hold up fine in stock form. In fact Raylars 525 kit utilizes these three stock items.

Think about it. Why would Mercury replace the 502 with the 496 if it wasn't better?

Wild Card 09

A buddy of mine did exactly this conversion on his 272 last year. He runs a 23" Mirage Accelerator (its effectively about 24" because of the extreme cup). It is THE prop for a 272 because of the relatively low set drive. Expect 67 - 68 mph @ 4900 - 5000 and great hole shot and good grip in the corners. Maybe its not quite so grippy as a 24" Bravo but overall it is the best.
You can fit Corsa diverters no problem, but you need to use the ones with a slight offset built into them because the risers on a 496 are slightly wider apart than the 454/502 ones. Even if you didn´t fit silent choice you will be confronted with the problem of the holes in your transom being a couple of inches closer together than you need. Go the Corsa route, but get the right ones.
The 496 is a really good robust motor with fit and forget qualities. It suits the 272/275 really well. Ran great in my 25OL as well.
Closed cooling and Gaurdian/Smartcraft make it very reliable.
As said if you would want to fit a blower, the 502 has alot going for it, too.

Lt for Life

Wild,
Did your buddy have any problems fitting the motor in? Did he have to remove the rear bench? I pulled the motor mid summer to replace a spun coupler and it seamed a little tight.
Thanks
Lt.

Lt for Life

Just bought 496

Hopefully I will still be happy when I do the install

Thanks for all the input
Lt.

Revd Up

I did a similar swap but I took out the 496 and put in a built 502. Like was stated above the biggest problem I had was relocating the holes in the transom.

Dave M

I went from a 454 Mag to a 496HO. The 40 more HP allowed me to go from a 26 Bravo 1 to a 28P.

I had silent choice with the 454 Mag but I removed it. I have about 18" of rubber hose, so, lining up the exhaust was no problem. I'm running straight thru hull. I don't think the 496 is really that load.

Everything else plugged right in. There is a Merc bullitain about the "fiber washers" in the rear motor mounts, make sure you have them in the correct sequence or the motor will not line up.

I have 115 hrs on mine with just a few minor problems. Do yourself a favor and buy a scan tool or diagnostic software. It will pay for itself.

The 496 is slightly longer and higher. Look at this pic, the extra inch or two in length was ALMOST a major problem for me. My 454 had a few inches of clearanace there.

Kidnova

I'd feel much better/secure with a 502, carbed. Kind of like the 454's... tried and true, reliable as the day is long. Like others mentioned, rotating assembly is forged, not cast. In the end, a stronger engine internally. Tons of parts readily available for them for upgrades later on. Plus, all the bolt on stuff from your 454 WILL bolt on to a 502. And the holes in your transome WILL line up with the 502 exhaust. It's a clean and simple swap from a 454 to a 502. I know, 'cause I done it ....ZZ502/502

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the 496, as I know squat about them. I'm sure they're a fine engine.

ECeptor

Cost.

Kidnova

And related to cost, for the most part the 496 is what GM is pushing out the door, for now.

Is GM producing the 502 anymore?