496 mods! what works?
 

I am looking to add 100-125hp to my 496HO what reliable mods can be done! is it possible?
-CMI Headers?
-Raylars Heads?
-Cam?
-ECU re program?
-Intake?
What can I realistically expect and how much will it cost, I don't want to get in to deep, I would like to stay around 5-6k if possible

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

I would talk to Raylar ....they have done the most work/research on the 496's ....

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Raylar,
their kits cost about 5k,for about 100-120hp

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Whipple is now offering some interesting mods for the 496 www.whipplesuperchargers.com .
They also make a slick 2.3 Whipple Charger package for these motors. A friend here picked up a reliable 13/14 MPH on a 288 Sunsation/496Mag setup. I think Dustin still has 2.3s.
Regards,
Steve

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Fred, I hate to be a stickler, but can you show this to me in writing? (No void of warranty that is.) I am fighting Mercury already on two issues of their equipment failing. Its not a pretty situation. I don't want to make this routine. However, one of my motors will need to come out, and this would be an ideal time to install the headers.

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Whassup:
PM me or call toll free @ 866-496-8181 and I can give you quite a few customers of our 100 hp kits who you can call and actually talk to about the results of our kits for the 496's. You can add headers on top of the kits and get to a reliable 550HP level, just more bucks!

Ray @ Raylar

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Thanks guys keep the ideas coming, I was going to put on a whipple but I heard there not available, Procharge is not for me to many issues with them on a few boats I know about. Also the blower noise isn't my wife favorite! I was thinking, cam, Heads and exhaust. But I don't want to waste my money if the gains arn't there for the money. I will just do exhaust and cam or cam and heads ect:::Do the cmi really work has anyone on here used them. that can verify real world>
Thanks

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

I put a Whipple on mine last summer & love it. Turn key & go. It doesn't make any noise until up above 4,500 rpms. It's a very nice set up. It was good for 11mph on gps & that's on a heavy sled Sonic.

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Whassup:
I am not Dustin Whipple, but maybe I can help you out with something.............the Lysholm/Whipple 3.3 litre blower IS in short supply due to Mercury buying them for 600s, 850s, and 1075s. Ford is also using the 3.3 on the GT. Mercury and Ford do seem to have eaten up most of Lysholm's 3.3 blower production capacity.
The Lysholm/Whipple 2.3 litre blower IS NOT in short supply, and that is the blower Whipple uses for your 496. They also have several naturally aspirated mod kits for your 496. Click on their web address I provided above and check it out.
Regards,
Steve

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Thanks Steve, I had put a post a month or so ago about putting on a whipple and was told I couldn't get one. The second question is if I whipple it do I have to put on k-Planes, Build my drive, and put external steering on. Thats adds $$$$
Has onyone put a whipple on a 288 sunsation does it fit without moving seat ect?

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

525's ...work best since the 600's are "un-tested"

If you don't have HO's don't upgrade anything but the whole thing...

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Whassup:
Just done here by EB MARINE. The boat (288 Sunsation) was GPSing 65ish with a 496Mag/375. The only differences between the 375 and 425 are the cam and ECU. Upgraded to the 425MagHO cam and had Dustin reprogram the ECU to 425/Whipple blower specs and the motor makes 623HP now. Runs 78/79 GPS. No need to move the seat. Any boat that picks up that much speed may require some rerigging. That would be considered a good problem :rolleyes: ...........He has put tabs on the boat. I think he has hydraulic steering in his future plans. Any boat running over 75 should have hydraulic steering.
Regards,
Steve

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Steve, 2.3's are gone. Also, it has nothing to do with Mercury buying up all of the supply.

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

We've done some Arizona Speed & Marine top-end kits and they seem to work very well. The intake plenum looks nice, and the hardware/plumbing is high-quality. Check'em out.
Hugh/Offshore

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

I'd like 2 of these for my 311 ....... maybe Uncle ray will have a special this winter ..... :D

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Have we heard anything on this site from anybody who has tried the Raylar product? How did it work, how did the install go, how was the ordering process, did the company answer questions promptly, etc ????

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

:evilb: :evilb: :evilb: :evilb:
Get'M Steve :D :D :D

There's a lot of us waiting and waiting...
Maybe I'll just go with the CMIs...55hp for 7-8 mph vs 100 hp Raylar for 6-7 mph :drink: :drink:

You looking at something with 496s???? :cool:

Dave

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

My email to you the other day was for real...I'm not looking for anything anymore :(

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Steve, I thought you were out of town...I haven't gotten your last emails???
I'll call you tomorrow...

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Nordic Flame:
I would like to see anyone see 7-8 mph from just adding a great set of headers like CMI's, problem is I know its not going to happen! I will see if I can get some of our Raylar kit users to post some real world results. Some of these people are not big posting regulars and some are not done dialing in their prop changes. There are quite a few who have completed their improvements, so if you PM me or call I will give you several references to speak with about their expierences most of them are not OSO members. There are several magazine articles in the works so I do not want to steal their thunder until the articles hit the readers.

Ray @ Raylar

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

:D :D
My point exactly Ray. I sent you a very lengthy email about two weeks ago but I can't find it in my sent items box. Did you ever get it?
Dave

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

I have a Velocity VR1 (28' boat). Last summer my 496 HO w/26" Bravo 1 prop saw a best of 69.6 mph GPS with just me in the boat. I would just barely hit the rev limiter at 5150 rpm.

I installed the Raylar Big Power 106 kit. and this summer I've gone up to a 28" Bravo 1 prop and can hit the rev limiter with 5 adults in the boat and their gear. This is 77.4 mph GPS. This is after upgrading to an XR drive, which robs some power, and I also have Gibson bullet mufflers. The engine has amazing midrange acceleration - it really comes on strong. I've got two variables yet to work with. I'm going to prop test a Hydromotive 4-blade, and there may be the possibility for someday increasing the rev limiter to unleash the full potential of the engine.

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

I was told by a reliable source that the Whipple shortage was due to them not being made over seas anymore. They are tooling up to make them in house. Right here in the USA.
I'm sure Whipple get back on track soon, but I just wouldn't
want to be one of the 1st one's to try out the NEW PRODUCT
even if it is a proven design. Teague has the 1st 43 spoken for.

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Sounds right on the money Escape. Just about what should be expected with the 125 hp increase :drink:
Over on HB they're throwing around 17-20 mph gains with the 103 kit :rolleyes:
Couple questions come to mind... You changed pistons I assume for the 106 cam, correct? Did they fit the stock rods or did you add the rods also?
Did you use the stock exhaust?
Did you have the Gibsons before the install? Just curious because that's what I run on my HOs.
Thanks,
Dave

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Nordic,

I think all of the boats with the Raylar upgrades I've read about so far on Hot Boat's website are cats, and mine is a V-bottom.

When I replaced the pistons with the forged Mahle's, I also upgraded to the H-beam rods and had everything balanced. I also upgraded the exhaust with Bassett's tri-Y headers. The Gibson mufflers are the thru-transom version, and I installed them at the same time I did the engine upgrade, so unfortunately I don't have a before and after speed comparison. I do like their sound a lot. Here's a picture of my engine in the boat.

Re: 496 mods! what works?
 

Thanks EV,
Very nice!!! and thanks for the info...
Dave :drink: