27 w/525 anybody?
 

Does anyone have this combo? was wondering if this was worth the effort coming from a 496HO. Have seen 70 +/- 2 gps with it. Would like to see 75 to 85 with a 525 and on my bravo one X if possible? If not might start looking at a 29 with this set up...Boat is a 04 27 (with step)

I'm squeezing 85+ out of the Raylar 600 with a light load. I'll stick my neck out there and say that with a "stock" merc 525, you'll see right around 74 - 76 mph.

That's on a step bottom 02/06 model years.

Although, I don't believe I've ever heard of a 525 merc coming from Fountain in a 27' boat.

There may be some out there. I dunno for sure.

Thanks for the info. BTW what drive are you using with you set up?

yeah pretty sure the biggest stock motor they put in those is a 500EFI. theres not even many of those around.

Family friend had a 95 27 fever with a 525SC. 75mph boat. Might be cheaper to move up to a 29 with a 525 EFI.

Late model XR

I thought about doing the same thing. I have an 05 with a 496.
Fountain will put a 600sc in it for 60k or so with the XR drive. A dealer quoted me around 25K to put a used 525 and XR in the boat. Your boat is worth about 40. 29' about 60 or 70. the 600SC was about 85 MPH the 525 about 76 mph. I decided a little extra speed that only I liked (none of my GF's did) was not worth it to me. The 496 is not a great engine to play with. Some people believe they are fragile. Do a search on Raylar. Some people are happy and some are not. Some motors broke pistons.

I did the raylar upgrade along with dana flow torque headers on my 496 ho. the set up is suppose to dyno out at 572 hp. top end is 75 gps with a 1.5 bravo, labbed 28" bravo1, midrange is really nice and gets on plane effortlessly. I had hoped for a higher top end, this cost me just over 15 K.

I have 2005 27' with 525. Runs 81 GPS. 1.5 XR drive, labbed 28 pitch.

That sounds more like it. I have a different boat but my swap from a 496 HO/Bravo X to a 525 EFI/XR netted me almost 10 mph. That $25,000 price quote sounds good unless it is a high hour engine. Forget the raylar. Forget the 496....Not afraid to say it. Sorry.

What RPM's? You might get more with a prop change

You're only about 3mph from where I topped out. I bet you can get there if you wanna prop it.

I have a 95 525 and the factory performance sheet says 78.7mph on radar with a bravo one 14.5x26 4blade. Havent got it fixed up yet to confirm those numbers.

Let's always compare Apples to Apples!
 

The speed differences here need to be compared based on GPS or speedo and the water type, salt or fresh and how well the propping is being done. Also remember a 525efi will run up to 5400rpm on its rev limiter setting while a 496HO will top out at 5150 rpm with a Raylar kit and no re-programming so the extra rpm available with re-programming and good prop work will make them perform the same. With a good aftermarket header the Raylar'd 496 will give any Merc 525efi a run for its bragging rights. Hey, they are great engines, they outta be, they cost 2-3 times more than a stock 496HO!
We ran a Raylar equipped 496HO in our Laveycraft race boat in 2006-2008 and we actually out accelerated the 525's out of the turns and our speed runs at Loto speak for themselves.
As for the weaknesses of the 496, yes a few have broken pistons, many of those supercharged stock blocks but the percentage of breakage will fool you. There are over 35,000 496's out there in our sport versus about 4,000 HP525efi's and the 496 actually has less broken engines from pistons by percentage than the broken HP525efi's in the last 9 years. Lets face it a lot of claims versus real world results on the internet forums are about 25% misinformation,25% stretch, 25% hearsay 25% and actual verifiable results!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Say it isn't so! Misinformation on the Internet no way!:lolhit:

Thanks just looked back on this thread finally but very informative. Time for some research...

I have a 95 27 with 525sc the factory sheet says 78.9 on radar. I haven't got it out yet but I'm sure that is close. 1.5 Bravo

525sc is a bad motor but was looking towards a 525 EFI / NA. Thanks for the numbers though that thing should be a blast!

540 -2 imco shortie

I like Raylar's setup..and its trouble free... nice gear..dont knock if you havent tried it!!and I have Dana Flo Torque headers as well..