38" with 575's
 

Was looking at a new 38' Lightning with the Merc. 575's. I have just read where Merc. will no longer be producing the 500 EFI and the 575's. Wondering what everyone thinks about what this announcement did for the pricing on models with these engines in dealers hands. Should I be thinking to lower my price just a little since this news? I know the 575's are thirsty but anybody got any report on them for reliability and maintance? How many hours should I expect from them without anything more then regular service?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I have heard that after 200hrs you can expect to spend about 20k per motor to service.I have a 2001 42' lightning w/staggered 500 EFI 43hours on entire boat ,would realy like to move it,could make you a sweet deal.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I would think that Merc's decision to discontinue the 575 has to hurt their resale value in the future. However, I have no idea if you can use that argument right now to beat a lower price out of a dealer on a new boat. As you know, anything in the hands of a dealer is a prized possession.

So at this point, unless I intended to modify the 575's in the future to get more HP out of them, (I guess you can simply change pulleys and recalibrate the ecu to get an extra 100hp) then I would go with 525's. They use less fuel, are internally cooled, and they should be more reliable and have a longer life.

I would also think used 525's would be more attractive in the future to a perspective buyer than the supercharged 575's. Supercharged engines are really cool when you buy a new one, but most people are afraid to buy them used. And from what I hear, the 525's are only about a mile or two an hour slower than the 575's.

As far a report on them for reliability and maintenance, do a search for 575's in the technical section of OSO - if you can't find a tread on the topic then start one. There are some pretty sharp people in there.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I would go with staggered 525's. Warranty may be better also.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I have a brand new 2004 42 EX with staggered 525's sitting on a MYCO Alum Trailer. 83+MPH and very fuel efficient. Can make you a sweet deal if interested. Contact me privately at [email protected] with your info and a daytime phone number.

- Vinnie

Re: 38" with 575's
 

aint nothin like snortin blower motors at 5000.
i think the merc packages are sweet, both,,,
if i was to buy a new boat i just spoke local dealer says fountain is comin out with a staggered 35.. that would be a sweet package with 525's..
my buddy has 38 hustler with the 525's and it runs just at 89-90 and he runs it i mean runs it,,,

Re: 38" with 575's
 

20k per motor???
i really hope that can't be right, unless u ventilate the block, and really turn it into a boat anchor..

Re: 38" with 575's
 

20k does sound incorrect, but I never ck'd.

Jonas, nothing sounds better than a blower hissing under load.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

man if its 20k ea to freshen its for sale.... : )

Re: 38" with 575's
 

randy sweers from florida powerboats (fasboats.com) said knows someone with just under 1000- hours on a set of 575's never been apart...

hmm that would have to be a record for blower motors wouldnt it??

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I Know Where You Can Get A 2004 35 Lightning For 219,000.00! This Is The Powerboat Test Boat That Ran 103 With 575's And Chillers. 35 Hours From Testing And Dial In.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Now way $20K is right. Its a well built blower motor with 7.5 -1 compression and running a modest 4.5-5 lbs of boost. It is as solid as the old 525sc's and they run forever. My 525's have over 300 hours on them and still are solid. If you take care of the 575's you could easily get 500 out of them or more. Probably need to go through the blower and freshen it before then but those motors will last a long time.

As far as $20k you could replicate them for that. I had a 575 in my pantera and I would buy another one in a heartbeat. And for $600 you can have get a new pulley and an ecu reprogram from whipple and get them over 600 hp and still let them live a very long time. Cattitude did it to my old boat and got a solid 5mph increase.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

:) :) :) now that is what i wanted to hear!!!
i got the whipple I cooler and the ecu and more boost etc so i figure this winter i will have blowers gone thru should be at 200 hrs by then,
hopefully i wll be safe with that

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Well I know when you change the pulley to raise the boost the blower is turning more RPM's. I have seen a few of the blowers seize and maybe its coincidental but all of them had pulleys and chillers on them! Thats just my 2 cents and experience.

- Vinnie

Re: 38" with 575's
 

HP: 575
kW: 449
Full Throttle RPM Range: 4800-5200
Displacement Liter/CID: 8.2/502
Bore & Stroke (in): 4.47 x 4.00
Bore & Stroke (mm): 113 x 102
Compression Ratio: 7.50:1
Cylinder/Configuration: V-8
Alternator Amp: 60
Alternator Watt: 847
Fuel System: 2 x TBI
Ignition System: Digital
Fuel Requirements: 91 octane (R + M/2) or 96 RON
Features & Benefits

Precision CNC machined 502 C.I.D. cast iron cylinder block.

Forged 4340 steel, fully machined and shot-peened Mercury Racing connecting rods.

Forged aluminum pistons, designed by Mercury Racing, for maximum strength and durability.

A custom 256 C.I.D. Holley/Weiand Super Charger, matched with a state-of-the-art throttle body fuel injection system, provides sport boaters with turn-key starting, instant throttle response and improved idle stability for easier docking.

MEFI 3 Electronic Control Module digital ignition system features advanced electronics for more precise fuel and spark control along with better top-end throttle response.

A thermostatically-controlled, high-capacity oil cooler raises engine oil temperatures faster and keeps them more consistent.

The oil thermostat and a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve work together to reduce the buildup of condensation in the oil. The PCV valve also improves engine idle.

A hydraulic roller camshaft, which improves low-end torque, offers higher level of performance and aids fuel economy.

Comes standard with 1.26:1, 1.35: or 1.50:1 gear ratio Bravo One XR drive in either right-hand or left-hand rotation.

Dual-water pickup and low-water pickup gearcase housings available for standard Bravo One XR drives.

Bravo One XR Sport Master drives with 1.26:1, 1.35:1, and 1.50:1 gear ratios also available.

The Bravo One XR Sport Master gearcase (Std. and Short), available on selected Bravo One XR drives, reduces drag for enhanced overall boat performance in select applications.

Integrated Transom System (ITS) available with Bravo One XR and Bravo One XR Sport Master drive options.

New engine oil drain line enhances ease of changing oil.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I have a 38 lightning w/ stag. 575's, which have been upgraded to 690 hp, (teague's 700 hp. kit, and ecu reprogram). I had my first problem ever with them this past weekend at 98 hours. Only thing that's been done is the oil has been changed regularly. I have had very good luck with the 575's and as long as i don't keep having problems in the future, i have been very happy with my motors.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

What Was The Problem?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Have you hit the 100 mark yet Mavrick? Are you pretty happy with your 38 overall?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

How much was the teague upgrade kit. i am lookign at a lot of used boats with 575's.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

That's the only thing i haven't been real happy about is that we haven't passed the 100 mark yet. Everyone we talk to says we should be there or a little over. 97 is the fastest I've seen and that was back in early april when it was still pretty cool. It is real consistent around 93-95 right now. We are still working on gettting there though. As far as what happened, we don't know yet. I think it was just something electrical b/c early that morning I was having a hard time to get it to turn over but i should know something forsure sometime tomorrow. The Kit was about 3000 per side.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I have a 38 with staggered 525s,runs 89-90 with stock bravos,its an 04 on a trailer for sale at 205000. I am not a dealer , wife wants a cruiser ! Call me@ 810-650-5107 Dave B Pics in OSO classifieds , have many more pics,boat is perfect.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

i guess u dont like the 38 too much huh.. u miss the nortech?
id love that 38, its beutifull...
what type of cruiser are u looking for?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Hey Jonas,hows it goin? Actually, I havent used the 38 much,bad weather in Mich so far and really busy,but I like the boat alot,its fast and handles real well,looks awesome,but yes I miss the NorTech ,spoiled for life now! I dont care if it sells right away,its paid for ,why dont you buy it ,perfect for you.Is your boat ok now? I know it wasnt when you picked it up.Hope alls well.Chat with you later,Dave B

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Are you guys seriously going that fast with 525's on a GPS - normal weekend load? The best I got out of my 2000 w/ 500efi's is 77.2 - just me in the boat and a light load of fuel. Maybe its the props, but I can't imagine a 12mph difference happening with 50hp per side and staggard vs side by side. I would be happier than $hit with another 5mph. Let me know if I am missing something. 4-blade hydro's spinning in with 1.5 bravo one's @ 5100.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

dave,
i would love to have a 38,,, but only if u want a wicked fast 35..
boat is great now. u know how it is nothing another 15k didnt take care of.. yes i see how u would be ruined after that nortech nothing compares,,,
take care and move to calif wheather has been good everyone is boating but i am working..
take care.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

i dont know but i would think that owuld be a 80 mph boat,, might want to lab the props for a mile or two and buy my stellings boxes and raise the x dim. :) by doing that you should get some more speed,, :D

Re: 38" with 575's
 

I only have a GPS speedo to go by,half tank of gas and four people it runs 86.We just had an APBA race in Port Huron,I was the pace boat so I talked to a lot of the racers,who mostly run 525s,they say that these motors are pulling between 550 and 560 on the dynos,so that may explain why some of them run so strong and why Mercury is dropping the 575.I havent touched the props yet,just stock 32 bravos.I have heard that the 5 blade Hydromotive will pick up 5mph at cruise but no top end increase,so for 2000 dollars not enough gain for me.My buddy has a set of 6 blade Herrings I will try soon as I have time!

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Will the five blades work even with the x-dim that I have (stock 2000 model). How about if I change out my Hydros for a set of Bravo ones? - But then there is not much of a difference in price to just go 5-blades.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

hydro makes 5 blades i have on my fountain

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Jonas, what drives do you have?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

xr's with - 2 in shorties with 1 in spacer added

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Hey Jonas what's up?

You doing the bridge to bridge run in 2 weeks?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

not much how are u??

i am going to be there but i wont run the boat.. was gonna but between being a little chicken runin thru there at 95-100 with bridge pilings just a few feet away and the fact that u are not insured when doing it changed my mind.
Are u going? ?
we will be up there,, sat and sun, wife and i are gonna just run up in the viper.
look for us we will prob be in this but if she *****es enough her black 745I.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

We're planning on it but it's comments like yours that make me think twice. The pilings don't bother me much.... and I can't run 95-100 but the insurance is a problem plus.... It's be the Delta on a big weekend and that can be trouble. I remember all the boats that ended up on the riprap last year.

We just got back from Shasta a few weeks ago and nothing broke so I'm feeling cocky.

Here's a bad shot of the Cumball.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

that looks great...

run it u will have fun
i just found out that
rick felsen can prob insure u for the weekend if u want..

Re: 38" with 575's
 

Shoot me his 411. I'll call him.

Re: 38" with 575's
 

what's this with no insurance, do insurance co's not cover you if you participate in a poker run?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

uuuhhh... Are you my insurance agent?

Re: 38" with 575's
 

this is not a poker run its a speed contest