One of the issues that sometimes precludes the switch to the Dana header manifold is that in many twin engine boats the clearance issue (exhaust to exhaust) can be a problem for many boats as the Dana headers are about 3/4"-1" wider per side and on many twin engine boats this becomes a fitment problem. this is an area where the KE has a big advantage as far as cast headers on twin engine boats.

As I have said many times the "bling" factor definitly plays into the question as so many performance boaters actually place more emphasis on cool looks versus reliability and cost. Our new economy is somewhat changing that dynamic as boaters pinch their wallets, but its always a "reality" that's at play here.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

I had Dana exhaust and liked them a lot. The only issue was as Raylar stated- they are little wider and since the uppers have square flanges, you can't rotate them at all. I had to really pry on the elbows to get the rubber hoses to move enough to bolt it all up.

Dana has top notch customer service- they took one elbow back and welded in a bung for my O2 sensor for pretty cheap and did a very nice job on it.

i also did the powdercoat option to help in the salt water.

Dana manifolds are awesome! I have had mine for 6+ years now & they still look great.
When I 1st installed them I picked up a mph or two and lost a ton of weight from the cast manifolds.

Ray could you please expand on this issue, I called KE last week and they said only CMI & Hardins would fit the 525.

thanx

The 525/700 head has a different Merc flange drill. They will not bolt up.

I believe Dana Marine now makes a set of their Flo-Torque marine header manifolds that are cast and drilled to bolt up on the HP525efi engines. Check with Dana @ Dana as I don't know if he has them available yet for shipping orders, but he can tell you where and when. I believe these with the #5 risers will make just about the same power as the stock Merc/CMI stainless sweepers.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Really,
That would be great. I'd like to get my KE's to bolt up to my 600SCi's, (Same head as the 525, from waht I have been told), BUT if the Dana's will bolt right on then that might be the way I have to go to get rid of the CMI's!:angry-smiley-038:

I just got off the phone with Dana, they just came out with a bracket that lines up with the 525 holes AND lines up the exhaust ports with the header, $325 for the pair and $2650 for header. The only problem is the tail pipe to the exhaust alignment, that is something they have not yet worked on and do not have a kit that fits exactly. He indicated that we would need a longer exhaust hose from the tail pipe.

It seems but I'm not positive, that if you use the new bracket, you use any BBC header on the market. But at a price of $2650 a pair, I would go with the Dana's.

I know the Dana stainless riser is part cast and part welded construction so Dana should be able to do a special riser tip extension that might be able to line up. Hope he can see fit to work on one. Give another nice header option to those 525,600,700 owners with potential header issues and give Dana some more business oportunity.
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Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

All he needs is a 525 down to his shop, unfortunately my boat is 1300 miles away.