Replace a 350 mag with a 496 mag ho
 

I have an 88 Formula F223LS with a stock mercury 350. Will a 496 MAG HO drop in without any major modifications? Will the stock Alpha 1 handle the additional power? I'm topping out at about 45gps mph now. Will I notice a significant difference with this upgrade?

Thanks,

Rich

The alpha will not hold behind it. The alpha would blow frequently behind a 454/330.

I would just freshen up the 350. New rings, bearings, gaskets, Vortec heads, a decent cam, performer intake, holley carb, and make 400hp. I went from 55mph to 67mph on GPS all for less than $2000. An alpha will live no problem behind a hopped up small block, they make alot less torque. Torque kills alphas.

I would say 45mph out of a 350, the 350 is tired.

an alpha with a 330 would live for a while as most of these boats that came with a 330 from the factory had alpha ones, I wouldn't bother pouring money into the 350 as you will not see any real gains. I tried that with my old 242 going from a 260/350 to a 350 vortec roller motor with a nice valve train est 400+ hp and went from about 44 mph to 52. I then went to a big block set up 509 c.i. with an alpha and went in the mid 60s with it for a season before upgrading to a bravo set up, removed the alpha still working and sold it. going from a sbc to bbc would probably net you a solid 10+ mph going with a 330..

The alpha will not live long behind a big block. They did this in 87 and quickly designed the bravo because of so many issues. 87 and some 88s for the most part had the alpha behind a big block. It was always an issue. As with anything else there are ways to help something live longer but an alpha isn't meant for big block torque.

Reman Bravo 1 is $3K. It's worth it.

Rebuilding the 350 is your best bet. A new big block and B1 out drive is going to be over 10K, and undoubtedly there will be more expenses once the install begins. That is a lot of coin for the speed you will see.

If your tired 350 is pushing you to 45, a fresh and built 350 (and you can buy a crank that will make it a 383) could probably get you low to mid 60's depending on prop and water conditions.