Expensive Date-
How difficult was it to remove the baffels? Also, I see your dash layout is similar to mine in that you have no trim tab gauge. While I'm pretty good at getting it right "by feel", I'd sure like to have the settings visible thought a gauge. I've been considering options but wondering if you have givin it any thought?

Both Ilmor and Raylar have 550hp LSx smallblocks available,
that would make a screamer out of a 292!

the 292 is back in contention for me if Ilmor can come up with an sterndirve bobtail for their new 7.4L small block putting out 522hp! I would love a scorpion boat but for the prices people are asking I think tough to justify.

Raylar has had the 454 smallblock/550hp LSx for Merc sterndrives out for a while now :
http://www.raylarengine.com/550_engine.html

gives you another option..

Very true and another awesome option! Curious to see how the Ilmor Mastercraft relationship works out from a dealer support stand point. Not to get off topic but does Raylar have a similar model? Dealer support network roadmap? Like the ability for the Ilmor to handle 87 vs 89 on the raylar. 89 and 93 are getting harder to find on the water by me which is another thing that has me thinking custom or non-merc power

I have thought about putting mechanical trim drive indicators in,but do not want to redo my dash to make it look factory.I also am kinda bored with my boat so will just make sure the next boat has them.

The baffles were not real hard to get out they are also stainless steel so the welds can't flex much before they break.I started by grinding some off the weld with a carbide burr and then......Man I'm going to get flamed for this used gently an air chisel with a inside muffler cutter.I just held it over the weld tapped the trigger and the weld broke.Once you get a few of the welds broke you can grab it with a pair of long angled needle nose,just keep moving back and forth the rest of the weld will break.I did most of them with just the chisel this cause no damage at all to tips.I did take my time though.You could also replace the tips but it really did not take to long once I got the hang of it first couple took longer.

I did not do this at first only removed the outside one (there are two) I had lost about 100 rpm when I did my exhaust.But I had also done a prop change so I really did not think much of it.But then I was looking at a picture that Tim Sharkey took of my boat and it looked like the water in the exhaust was coming out under a lot of pressure.When I removed them the 100 rpms was back.I did not know that fastechs come with labbed props so when I replaced them I just put regular 28s on that was the prop change.Hope this helps any questions ask.

Tim

Yes I removed the baffles, after I did the exhaust. I added the captains call to it. when do you usaully pull your boat out?

Going to the Hudson early Oct usually done after a nice 120 mile fresh water flush.Sold my lift trailered this year actually like it better,was bored stuck in one place.Couple of guys going to AC this weekend let me know.If that doesn't happen will probably go up ny tices.

Raylar LSM 550 has been discontinued. Mast is another alternative...

http://www.mast-marine.com/

Hey 4mulafastech, thanks for the info on trim tabs. What was the $damage when complete. I've Googled complete kits for around $3200. Does this sound right?? Did ya have to glass over the Bennet mounting holes, or just seal them because the K-Plates cover the holes anyway?? Any other problems with the installation??..thanks.....dave