No more 496??!
 

I just read an interesting comment in the Oct/Nov issue of Powerboat in the "Power Brokers" feature describing the majority of high performance marine engine builder offerings. On page 72 Tyler Crockett says:

"What we're currently working on is a new 6.2-liter small-block. They're going to be doing away with the 496 in a few years and replacing it with a new big cubic-inch small-block."

This probably means nothing to the vast majority of you with big blocks, but for someone like me with a twin 6.2 292 Formula Fastech can I look forward to FINALLY seeing some high performance focus on a marine small block? There are very few builders in the high performance marine engine business (that I know of) developing performance packages geared to the 6.2. Now maybe there's some hope!! :evilb:

If this is true, I wonder if Raylar knows "they" (I assume Mercury) will be "doing away" with the 496?

Re: No more 496??!
 

good question...

Re: No more 496??!
 

I totally dont understand this if it's true,, the 454 and 502 have been around for a gazillion years, the 496 was supposed to be the next generation, I cant believe there is talk of doing away with it after only 6 years... :rolleyes:

Re: No more 496??!
 

Is a 6.2L a 383ci?

Re: No more 496??!
 

Come on Chris,,, were talking about Mercury here,,, of course they will faze it out,,, look at the new NXT outdrive,,, ya cant buy it without the 700sci package ,,, and all that after Merc has been telling us that they were coming out with a fix for the current Bravo !! :D

RHC

Re: No more 496??!
 

377ci. 4.00" bore adn 3.75" stroke. It is rated at 320HP. Does anyone know if that HP rating is at the crank or prop?

Here are the specs: http://www.mercurymarine.com/mx_6.2_mpi_sd_-_320_hp

One thing I think is silly is the darn thing only holds 4.25 quarts of oil. :rolleyes: Not much for a marine engine...

Re: No more 496??!
 

Aren't all merc specs at the prop now? Maybe I'm dreaming.

Re: No more 496??!
 

All merc specs are @ the prop we have seen 10 6.2l throw rods under normal use in the last 3 years. Hours ranged between 15-300. merc says we are the only ones having this issue has any one else seen or heard of this.
these are all different boats

Re: No more 496??!
 

WE remember when about two or three years ago there was talk back then about the end of the 496-8.1L engine. You have to remember that the marine engines that are available to marine engine builders like Mercury, Volvo, etc. come from GM Powertrain and they are marketed and provided based on demand. GM Powertrain provides many engines in sizes and configurations that are not even used in trucks and vehicles any more, like the 4.3 V6, the 350V-8, etc. The 496 -8.1 L is the industries only big block offering from Mercruiser, Volvo, Crusader, Pleasure Craft, Marine Power and Indmar. There is to much need for the brute torque and power needed for medium size cruisers and moderate sized performance boats. If you only knew how many 496's Mercruiser not Mercury Racing builds and ships each week you would be staggered by the quantity. There are already 6.0 and 6.2 liter LSI based small block motors that have been made available to the boat builders for over two years and none of the builders except for the ski boat set are grabbing these up and putting them in performance boats in any quantity. The 496 -8.1L motors will be available and used in large numbers for at least 5 more years minimum. We are not at all worried about this future and we'll just keep making 496's better for everyone who has or needs one. We are also in development on an all aluminum 7.0 liter L-92 V-8 variant motor that will be fresh water cooled, develop about 500HP with about 500 ft/bs of torque for those who want a 350lb. lighter and smaller motor for new twin installations, retro-fit on older small blocks and certain smaller single engine performance boat applications. It still won't replace the 600HP + and 650 ft/lbs of torque a well equipped 496 can provide. Remember our slogan" Where innovation fuels applications" Raylar spends a great deal of time trying to keep our heads out of the sand. Thanks for your concerns, just keep enjoying the 496, especially with Raylar "goodies", its not anybody's dead horse!

Regards,

Ray @ Raylar

Re: No more 496??!
 

Ray, is this new 7.0L you are developing, also an LS1 based engine? Ed

Re: No more 496??!
 

Thanks for the comments, Ray. I think your 496 packages are really innovative. :drink: I kind of take exception to your statement about 6.2's only going in non-performance ski boats. Formula, Fountain, and a few others are putting twins in their smaller offshore V-hulls and I believe my 292 is classified as a performance boat. It's not a rocket (71 mph GPS), but not bad. Sounds like Crockett is working on something that may be a drop-in swap to the stock 6.2. Will your 7.0 liter under development be a potential drop-in or will there be issues with fit? I can understand the lower production volume preventing you from spending the development $$ to make performance adders to the existing 6.2 like you do for the 496, but I know I (and several others) would sure be interested... :D

Re: No more 496??!
 

:eek: :eek:

I have not heard that before! Only good reports on reliability and economy. Mine have 50 hours on them and have not had one problem except for a cracked fuel line coming out of the Gen-III Cool Fuel module. That was scary. :( Fuel under 45 psig pressure spraying in the bilge while underway. Not good.

Did Mercury figure out the root cause of the problem? What kind of oil are you running? I'm changing mine about every 20 hours since they only hold 4.25 quarts which is not much in my opinion.

Re: No more 496??!
 

The 7.0 liter we are working on is a LS2 version based all aluminum engine and yes it will be a direct Bravo type drop in for all existing V-8 GM-Chevrolet based motors. I am glad to here a lot more of the boat manufactureres are using the new LS1 syle 6.0 liter motors and not the old small block style. The new LS architecture is definitly better and more efficient.

Ray @ Raylar

Re: No more 496??!
 

I was told last year that Volvo was working on a supercharged smallblock because theyu knew the 496 would be gone in a few years. There is suppose to be a larger big block coming out but it is going to be all aluminum and very expensive to make into a marine motor.

Re: No more 496??!
 

Volvo's history in the performance market is a bit spotty unfortunatley...

Re: No more 496??!
 

Surely the trend will be towards diesel power for performance applications. I understand that the big 3 are also working on smaller displacement diesel v8s.

The torque charecteristics and fuel economy of diesels seem to be ideally suited to marine use.

Re: No more 496??!
 

If its merc it should be 377... :) Jamie

Re: No more 496??!
 

http://www.lakesiderestorations.com/...les/dpx600.jpg

Hey ya pic thief!! Ya like that pic.. :) I see it has the same name as the one I posted a few days ago in a DPX question thread & I also have it on my parts page... :)

I snag some pics too from time to time its just that they are all Boobie & funny pics... :evilb: :evilb: I see too many engines all day.. Dont sweat it though, I'm just teasin ya scott.... Jamie / Lakeside :)

Yes, Volvo's HP stuff like in that pic didnt last all that long because of merc's perf name & loyalty being so stong. To bad VP has no current plans to make an HP comeback.. Some of their stuff was really neat.... J

Re: No more 496??!
 

4mula, Most were under 50 hr. oil changes we use merc. 25-40. merc did not come up w/a root problem nor did they deny any warranty all were covered

Re: No more 496??!
 

Exactly! That motor built by Innovation and the DPX drive had built in hydraulic steering and it was bulletproof! Merc has a stranglehold on the market so why throw money away to try and compete?

And my point was Volvo is working on a higher hp small block(400-450hp) to replace the 496 because they know it will be gone in a few years.

Re: No more 496??!
 

I totally agree, the DPX 500 and 600 were cool looking motors and from what I've heard, performed very well. It would be nice if they opened that book again, because all their other engines are phenomenal

Re: No more 496??!
 

Yes, the latest info from the GM reps at SEMA in Vegas, is that they will be introducing, very soon, an LS based 454 cu. in., all aluminum engine. Considering the current LS 427 is 505 h.p., etc., this newer big-block should be very interesting. Ed

Re: No more 496??!
 

I guess you mean new small block, right ?
The LS7 - 427 CI - 505 HP from the Corvette is a small block.

Re: No more 496??!
 

Nope, supposed to be a completely new block. The 427 is a stroked siamese block as it is...so we will have to wait & see. Ed

Re: No more 496??!
 

Read somewhere recently too that GM will be replaceing the 8.1truck engine (meaining stop manufacturing) somewhere between 2008-2010. Don't recall what the replcement would be.

Re: No more 496??!
 

LOL, just saw this.. Picture is dated April 06 in my files, not sure where I stole it. If it was from you, THANKS!! :drink:

I have one of the long blocks from that project, and a couple shorts... Shame they dropped it, it is an awesome runner :) :)