Hey Guys,

New to O.S.O. My First Post. Great site!

I have a 1988 28ft Convincer. Very good shape but just about time to replace the engine. The lower end was rebuilt last year (Bravo 1) full lathum hydro. steering.

I am thinking of dropping in a 525 efi. Has anyone else out there done that? Any major complications that came up I should be aware of?

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

when you say lower end you mean the outdrive? The 525 is a great engine, but my guess is you could get more performance for far les dollar having a reputable engine builder either build up your current block or build a new engine.
btw, Welcome to OSO. Now lets see some pics of that checkmate

I think that year convincor does not have a standard bravo tail pipe set up. With that said you might have to have custom tails made. I think the 525 EFI is an awesome engine, but I agree with 375stinger, you could probably have a good shop build you more than 525 hp for less money than the merc blue motor.

Yes, the outdrive sorry..... Hit a rock last year and had to have it completely redone.

Thank you.. Seems like a great site..

I have only one online so far. Same pic that is on my avator. Will post as soon as I get some more scanned in.

Thanks again.

You will have exhaust issues with any engine combination you build. The holes in your transom are drilled inboard to clear the 2 piece swim platform. This problem can be overcome with a set of custom made tails from CMI. That 525 engine is a great piece. If you can find a take out as a bobtail, I would say go for it. If your current engine has alot of hours, I would not recommned rebuilding it, especially if you run salt water, which I would assume you do living in MA.
You could build a new engine from scratch with comparable power, for about the same $$$ that a used 525 would cost. There are tons of guys here that can point you in the right direction for a good solid combination. If you want, I can help you out with this.

The cmis on the 525efi only fit the 525 so you would be looking for a set just for the 525s.A new set retails for $11,000.Ask FedEx they owe me a pair.

Blackcheck, Sent you a PM. Similar project to one I started a couple years back.

what kind of power is in it now
it might be better to rebuild and put more power in it
then you wont have to have custom exhaust built
that gets expensive

I am not sure how difficult dropping a 525EFI into your Checkmate will be. However the 525EFI is a great motor, fuel injected, closed cooling, easy to service etc. Your rebuilt B1 should hold up for sometime with the B1 or so I'm told. If the sticker price doesn't make your stomach upset I say go for it.

Blackckmate, I have a 1991 25 Convincor and had Fred at IMCO build me a custom stainless set to go with the PowerFlow manifolds I bought. This was about 5 years ago, but the risers cost me about $1600 and look beautiful. All I had to do was give him a few measurements and he did the rest. The whole set-up shouldn't cost more than $3000.