4mulafastech

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!!

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

jeff32

good question...

Chris288

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...

SOX

Is a 6.2L a 383ci?

RHC

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 !!

RHC

4mulafastech

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. Not much for a marine engine...

hunster

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

phil0460

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

Raylar

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

Ed

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