thanks_don

Been looking to buy a used boat I have seen some with 575s and hp 500 efis can somebody tell me the maintenance difference with the 575s or are they as reliable hp 500efis . Im looking around 2000 2003 year for boats thanks

JaayTeee

I have a pair of 02's with about 330 hrs.

So far, they've been flawless.

Niether uses a drop of oil.

You need to change the supercharger oil
periodically (which you don't have to do
on a 500 EFI)

They require 91 octance fuel.

I have heard of some rear bearing failures on the
B&M equipped 575's ( the later ones)

They don't have a hydraulic
roller cam like the 500EFI does, so you may get by
a little longer without worrying about valve springs.

The only other thing I've heard about is some
head gasket issues when the hours get up there,
I plan on replacing mine this spring.

The one thing the 575s have that the 500EFI's
don't is the sweet blower whine once you get into boost

thanks_don

JaaaTeee .. 330hrs what a great baja with that power . We are looking to make this formula are last boat, so I wonted to make shire about our pick in power and I agree there is nothing like the sound of blower whining up !! jaatee thanks all this info was a great help

Boater8987

2002 36 Poker Run Spectre Cat 575's 125 Hrs. Outstanding performance , has had oil changes and one set of sparkplugs. Gets run hard on poker runs and pleasure use. No issues! Drives are XR and I have had to stay on top of PM and oil changes as normal. Need I say more? 129.8 GPS tops only once. Put lower Sportmaster lowers on slowed down 3-4 mpg at least, 120 with 4 passengers and full fuel no problem. Slower,But better reliability. My standard XR lowers housing cracked from surfacing harmonics, gear ratio 126:1 and 36P bravo 4 blade. Also Arizona Speed and Marine up grade, blower top pully and ecm reprogram and EMCO transom assembleys. Thanks Gary

thanks_don

I have heard that the 575s only run on 91octane or higher . I'm concerned about premium fuel availability on the lakes here. It is hard to find at times . thanks

1 MAIDEN AMERICA

2002 575'S. 200 hours with excellent maintenance blew a head gasket on one engine did the other engine for good measure. Replaced blower bearings also (they were good). 1 more hour broke a cast cam. No engine damage. Changed both to steel rollers. 20hours since, all's OK. 704HP at 4.5PSI at 5350RPM (rev limiter) and still climbing.
I do like the engines. To do over, 525's w/whipples.

thanks_don

Maiden America after reading your story... are the 575s known to blow head gaskets often? Also, do you have any idea what the maintenance entails on the blower bearings? What was the cost of having head gaskets replaced on both engines. I am hesitant of buying at set of engines that will be a money pit in dry dock versus a set of 500's that will be in the water all summer. I am certainly leaning toward the performance of the 575's and want to be talked into buying them.

Shah Mat

The factory head gasket that Merc used likes to fail. The replacement gasket from Merc is a Cometic which will not fail. So if they have the original haed gaskets plan on doing them, but only once. They shouldn't fail again with Cometics.

I have a buddy that has a pair in a 38 Sonic and they have been good engines. 500 hrs and does not use a drop of oil. Replaced head gaskets. One blower rear bearing failed and he just replaced both blowers instead of fixing the one.