Engine upgrade or crate motor ??
07-09-2002, 03:08 PM
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Engine upgrade or crate motor ??
I currently have a Baja 232 with 300hp carbed 454. The boat runs 58-61 (depending on load) at 4,400 with a 23p mirage plus. Exhaust is stock 4" straight out the back, no CC.
I am looking for a minimum of 450hp whether through upgrades ( crank, cam, heads, roller valve train, forged everything) or a crate motor.
I need opinions and suggestions as to what it would cost and what parts I would need, to get my current motor up to 450 HP, reliably, and without having to worry about reversion. ( too radical a cam)
on the flip side, I can order a 502/502 drop in crate for just about 6,000 and try and sell my current motor for 1,500 - 2,000 and probably end up costing me just about 5000.
I am leaning toward keeping my current motor and getting it upgraded, I like the idea of keeping the mercruiser. but would like suggestions and comments.
Anyone know any reasonable (price) " GOOD " engine builders in the NYC NJ area. I am about an hour north of NYC..
Thanks in advance.. Chris
I am looking for a minimum of 450hp whether through upgrades ( crank, cam, heads, roller valve train, forged everything) or a crate motor.
I need opinions and suggestions as to what it would cost and what parts I would need, to get my current motor up to 450 HP, reliably, and without having to worry about reversion. ( too radical a cam)
on the flip side, I can order a 502/502 drop in crate for just about 6,000 and try and sell my current motor for 1,500 - 2,000 and probably end up costing me just about 5000.
I am leaning toward keeping my current motor and getting it upgraded, I like the idea of keeping the mercruiser. but would like suggestions and comments.
Anyone know any reasonable (price) " GOOD " engine builders in the NYC NJ area. I am about an hour north of NYC..
Thanks in advance.. Chris
Last edited by Chris232; 07-09-2002 at 03:11 PM.
07-09-2002, 03:42 PM
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For reliabilty, I would replace the pistons with a set of forged,
a hydraulic roller cam, a set of merlin oval ports. That will give you easily 450 -550 depending on the cam/intake combo.
the cast crank and rods will probably be ok if you don't spin it too fast <5200 RPM.
These upgrades along with exhaust, carb, and ignition put me around a 7000 investment. use inconel exhaust valves, bad things WILL happen if you don't.
The only issue with a crate motor is it's not cammed for marine and the head gaskets MUST be changed to marine.
I've had many years of great service out of my 468 with these parts but I didn't get there without some problems.
Learn from the mistakes of others.
468 (060 over 454)
eagle crank
stock chevy performance rods (from a 365 mag)
trw 9-1 pistons
lunati hyd roller
holley street dominator single plane w/1" open spacer
garry grant gold claw ( now known as demon carbs)
merlin marine oval port bigvalves
emi thunder headers
barry grant mech fuel pump
msd ignition w/rev limit
dyno = 549 hp
a hydraulic roller cam, a set of merlin oval ports. That will give you easily 450 -550 depending on the cam/intake combo.
the cast crank and rods will probably be ok if you don't spin it too fast <5200 RPM.
These upgrades along with exhaust, carb, and ignition put me around a 7000 investment. use inconel exhaust valves, bad things WILL happen if you don't.
The only issue with a crate motor is it's not cammed for marine and the head gaskets MUST be changed to marine.
I've had many years of great service out of my 468 with these parts but I didn't get there without some problems.
Learn from the mistakes of others.
468 (060 over 454)
eagle crank
stock chevy performance rods (from a 365 mag)
trw 9-1 pistons
lunati hyd roller
holley street dominator single plane w/1" open spacer
garry grant gold claw ( now known as demon carbs)
merlin marine oval port bigvalves
emi thunder headers
barry grant mech fuel pump
msd ignition w/rev limit
dyno = 549 hp
07-09-2002, 03:57 PM
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NoBaja,, thanks for the reply....
7,000 is a lot more than I wanted to spend, but you also achieved a lot more HP than I am looking for.. I have heard that my stock exhaust is able to handle up to 500 ponies, i'm sure the exhaust alone cost you quite a bit..
The crate motor's come " marinized " (correct,cam, gaskets, brass freeze plugs ) for that price and already have 500 hp. not sure exactly what I would have to take off from my old motor and put on the crate though.
The crate motor's come " marinized " (correct,cam, gaskets, brass freeze plugs ) for that price and already have 500 hp. not sure exactly what I would have to take off from my old motor and put on the crate though.
07-09-2002, 04:12 PM
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all the accessories I just put on my engine.. which wasn't a 502 but none the less...were -sea pump, powersterring pump , alt , starter, oil/powersteering cooler , all the brackets , therm housing & stat , fuel line between fuel pump & carb and the flame arrestor .. i think that's it.....I whent with all new components was a bit pricey but now everything is new...oh yea and pulleys and belts unless you use your old ones...
07-09-2002, 05:02 PM
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sounds like the crate would be a great way to go,
I don't advise using stock merc exhaust though. to restrictive and causes cracked heads on 454 mags. They are hairline cracks between the valves on the rectangular heads, most people don't even know they have them till they teardown.
I don't advise using stock merc exhaust though. to restrictive and causes cracked heads on 454 mags. They are hairline cracks between the valves on the rectangular heads, most people don't even know they have them till they teardown.
07-09-2002, 06:39 PM
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502, 435 hp for around $5000. Definately go new. Great internal parts, 1 yr. warranty, same motor merc. uses, perfect base for future upgrades. Why spend $7000 and not know what you are going to get?
www.1800runsnew.com
www.1800runsnew.com
07-10-2002, 08:29 AM
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Here's a different look at your question. How fast do you want to go instead of how many hp do you wanna make.? I gained 8 mph on my 232 (total of 70mph gps) with $2000 worth of upgrades to my carbed 330. It's pretty easy to pick up a little with these engines, but if your looking for more, definately get a new engine with stouter internals.
07-10-2002, 08:42 AM
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how fast do I wanna go ??
Well, lets just say the boat does a consistant 58/59 mph, I would like to get to 70 and would be very pleased.
I have also heard that for every 1 mph you want to gain you need min. of 15 hp. so assuming I would like to get to 70, I would need atleast 450hp.
If I could get 70 with my current motor and less than 3,500 in upgrades, I would be very happy. I Was doing some browsing and see a crank is about 650, heads about 650, cam 300, carb 700, forged pistons and roller valve train ?????
I have also heard that for every 1 mph you want to gain you need min. of 15 hp. so assuming I would like to get to 70, I would need atleast 450hp.
If I could get 70 with my current motor and less than 3,500 in upgrades, I would be very happy. I Was doing some browsing and see a crank is about 650, heads about 650, cam 300, carb 700, forged pistons and roller valve train ?????
