600sci experience?
 

Shopping for a single engine lake boat (25'-29') and considering the 525efi vs the 600sci. I know the 525s are great engines, but would prefer the additional hp and speed from the 600. Any thoughts on the 600sci? issues? concerns? praise?

Re: 600sci experience?
 

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Re: 600sci experience?
 

For about 15K more the 600 will give you an extra 2 - 4 miles per hour over the 525. But you get a cool blower!

They both run great.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Save the money and get X dimension, slip down, and prop right and you will run within 2mph of the 600SCI with a 525EFI. Plus blown motors typically have 1/2 the life of a naturally aspirated one. I have heard that Mercury is phasing out the 600SCI starting this year for those reasons.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I would buy one with a 525 then put the whipple on it cheaper that the 15k for 600 hp.if ya dont want the extra hp just turn it down.


If the motor is not in boost the motor doesent know it has a blower on it most people dont run in boost all the time anyway.I would think a high strung na motor at say 750 hp would not last as long at a mild blower motor at 750.:D

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I figured the 600 is low-boost as it is 3-4lbs? Interesting comments.
Thanks for the response crb76. good points.

Strip Poker 388: Do they have the whipple systems fully dialed in with the 525efi? I've read a few threads and it seems to still be a bit of a crap shoot. That idea has a lot of clout. I could run it with the 525 for a year or until the warranty is up, then whipple it for as much or as little boost as I need. I'm a big fan of centrifugal superchargers- My buddies 04 viper puts out 700 to the rear wheels, but buzzing around town you would never know it. very interesting.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Yes they do we have installed one. Very Relable pckage.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Talked to docmanrich on the board. He put them on his AT with twin 525EFI's. Nothing but trouble..."If it is not broke, dont fix it"

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Don't listen to Clark.... He doesn't know what he's talking about (which is normally not the case).
------
On a T/S Top Gun w/ 525's:
525 Boat ----90 MPH w/ top end props (difficult to plane)
525 Boat ----- 86/87 MPH (95% of them sold -- w/ std. B1 4 blade 30's)

600 Boat ----- 96 MPH light fuel, good weather, 2 people Max
600 Boat ----- 94 MPH all day long (easy on plane)

*Granted, ALL boats need to be set up properly.
------
600 engines are the same maintance ---- only additional is svc'ing the blowers (addtl. $250-$500 per year)
------
I asked the "phase out" question before buying mine. It's one of the only motors that is EU certified; it's not going anywhere.

If it's only 15k, you've got a great price on the upgrade.

-------

Here's the real reason to choose the 600's:
If you've ever driven a 600 vs. 525, you'll take the 600 all day long (too many reasons to list). The two don't even come close to comparing to each other.

-------

Final suggestion, drive them both and ask about maintance from someone at TnT etc... that knows both type engines very well.

P.S. Clark -- Shut up..... You know you wish you would have picked the 600's (or you will know when we go blowing by you, in any type water! :D

By the way.... When are you going to have AT get your prop/X-dimension right? :p

All in good fun. See you in a couple weeks bro!!!!!

Joe

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Joe,

Thanks for the nice words Joe! :D You have special 600SCI's and props! Everyone else doesn’t have that luxury. :cool:

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I am not posting this to spread rumors, but I was told from two different sources today that there will be a 600EFI (no SC) in the near future offered from Mercury Racing.

I look forward to this offering if it comes to fruition.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I'm for buying the 525EFI and supercharging when you want. That engine is a natural for centrifugal supercharging. Check out the October 2006 issue of Hot Boat for an article on our system.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

The difference between these motors has a lot to do with application. For a single engine boat that is fairly heavy you are going to want the 600sci. Elevation is something to consider also. Higher elevation is going to result in less power loss with the 600sci. Your everyday speed number is going to be more consistant with the 600sci also. If you were looking at a 25' cat I would probably say 525efi so you can run 87 octane, because cats are all about rpm for that peak mph number. Application is one of the most things overlooked when powering boats. From a maintenance standpoint I have seen excellent result with both. Granted all motors have warranty issues. Most of the bad results are due to lack of proper maintenance and consumers not being educated properly. Thanks, Cam-shaft.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Only time will tell.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I agree that the 525 would be a better choice if the sci's are being phased out

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I have the 600s and love them. Tons of reasons why. Either way I think you will be happy. Personally I prefer the 600s or 700s from Merc over adding a blower to a 525. Granted it costs more, but you also get more.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

The 600sci is a strong performer and a very reliabe motor, I put 200 hard hours on mine without any problems. And the Whipple Whine sounds great !!!!

Re: 600sci experience?
 

That's great to hear, what kind of boat, thanks:cool: ....who has the most amount of hours logged on the 600's to this point without troubles.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

88 hrs and not one problem. About equal time on mine just poking around as SBI pace boat and some time running. Ran to KW in November hard and didn't miss a beat. Great pkg with the sportmasters. Nice mid-range and they sound GREAT

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Have 2 in a Fountain, 62 hrs no problems. Idle great run strong all day. In fact the 525's sound a lot more radical than my 600's. Easy on gas, not sure if its the boat set up or the motors but they real user friendly. If you order, get the Smart Craft display. It can tell you more information then you have time to look at. All the engines vitals, speed, ect. My shows about 1.4 miles per gallon. Down side, us run at least 91 octane.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Most of the ones i seen have worked pretty good, One I know of puked but not sure how close the computer was done on that on and he ran the shet out of it.''

One thing to consider is a boat with the 500efi the kit is cheaper and its has no bugs , the maps out for it are real good now. Ran mine at 750hp all 05 and turned up at 848hp all of 06. I even tried it at 11.5 lbs :eek: on the dyno no problems .

f ya do the centrifugal I would dyno it to get the map right on, Ive heard and seen some tuning issues with them,but they are eaiser on drives.


The thing about the 525 it has alot better parts in them and its closed cooling system , so no rotting out heads, intakes etc


Shop around:drink:

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Everyone- thanks for the responses.
If a 600 efi is introduced at Miami, how long til it is available for purchase in a new boat?

ps- I forgot to mention my lake boat will be a v-hull.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

600 sci's will be phased out, and in most applications the 2-3mph is about right plus I would think the n/a 525 would have better resale and runs on 87 octane.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I agree - get the race view feature. It gives you outstanding stats on what is happening, including faults which you would never know about with only traditional gauges.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I always felt the same way, and the next couple years will prove it out. But I am really happy with the first 75 hours on the 600s. Time will tell. I had such a great first 75 hours I am starting to wonder how much more durable the 525 is. Again, time will tell, and the 525 has stood the test of time way more than the 600.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

The 600SCI's have been about 4mph per hour faster in our new Fountains but the mid range is about 12mph. Be careful with supercharging these motors, great product but everyone is having a ahrd time making them work and getting into the Mercury Computer system on the 525EFI and up.

Shogren Performance Marine

www.chicagofountain.com

Re: 600sci experience?
 

there changing to the mef 4

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Although top speed is only several more mph on a 600 over a 525, acceleration and midrange is where they shine and really feel superior.
Also, every supercharged 525 I know of (Whipple or Vortrech),has had problems holding the drives together.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

Check out the new engine/drive package in the Konrad booth at the Miami show next week. 800HP and ACE shorty drive. You will never break it and would be a dynamite package in a big single vee.

pm203: I'd like to hear more specifics on the supercharged 525s that blew their drives.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I'd presume it is due to the boost coming on very early in the RPM range. For example, in my Merc. 600EFI's, it doesn't begin til 3k RPM's, but I don't know. I too am interested, as well as interested in seeing what my gears look like after 70 hours (betting they'll make it that long! :eek: ). :p

Joe

P.S. Clark --- I knew my earlier post would stir you up! :D You didn't waste any time pounding out your reply!haha. Good talking with you again. Sorry you're not making the Islamorada run.... but, think hard about Sarasota.

Re: 600sci experience?
 

I know this is stepping it up a bit. But if your buying a new boat, you might want to work on your dealer a bit about the 700SCI. Merc is really trying to move these and is make some very attractive pricing.

I heard they are selling them for the same price as the 600SCI's. Is that true?

I don't know the priceing on 600's but I was shocked at how CHEAP the 700 and sixes were.:eek: :drink:

Can you share the pricing without me having to call, or just pm me, thanks Jeff

Thanks for the input. I rolled with the 600sci. I want the extra couple of mph and work is too busy/don't have the time to work the bugs out of an aftermarket setup anytime soon.

Congrats. I think you will like them.

37 OL on a lake ( no wave jumping ) blowing Bravos like a cheap hooker. Also, same thing with the 500EFI,s. I was told that the Vortechs are better due to a more gradual power curve. Either way, you have to beef up the drives somehow.

Ft. Lauderd, FL. Atlantic Ocean. Running from flat to 6' and nasty. I've run the boat hard in all conditions and don't even have dirty oil in the lowers. I think Mr. OL needs a throttle lesson if he blowing units on a lake :)

Broke Beak ---- I was thinking the same thing...... I change drive fluid w/ each oil change ---- No problems on my 525 boat. My 600 boat only has 6 hrs. run-time. But, I'm expecting the same thing.

PM ---- Does Mr. OL maintain/replace his internal drive gears etc... at the suggested intervals (every 75 hrs., depending on props and how hard you run the boat)?

Joe

With bravo's, a Merc. friend once told me, since they aren't dry-sump, you shouldn't run at high RPM's for more than a few minutes without letting off for a quick second and then getting back on the sticks.

Reason: fluid gets pulled back from the G-force and doesn't circulate --- hence, causing no lubrication.

Don't know if it's actually true, but ask anyone who has ridden w/ me across Biscayne Bay etc..... I always back off for 1-2 seconds every so often --- no drive issues. Oh yeah, and I do the maintance.

Joe