Lol, such hatred... :p

Boaters can get passionate! My engine came with the "new" style headers. I know that some people have still reported problems with them but I pressure tested mine and they are on their 4th season now with no problems. Obviously I'm not a fan of the 496. Yes, there are a lot of stock 496s that are very reliable. There are also a lot of Mercruiser 454s, 502s, 4 bangers, V-6s etc. still running strong. IMO, Mercury makes a good product. Now when it comes time to look for more performance and step up to an engine upgrade you would be wise to do your homework. Discuss your plans with as many unbiased people as you can. Good luck with your quest for more speed. I'm very happy with my results. I could say more but will stop now. If you want to discuss it then send a PM.
Oh, can't forget the winky - ;)

edit - Here you go. A good engine builder can turn these into 540 n/a monsters! http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/3701832-post3.html

I can agree with that... But 525's are out of the question, with the Probly 16-17k I'd get out of the 496's that really would be putting me into built carb'd motor territory. 2-3mph may seem small to some, but its all that's within my means and would put me over 80... Which is where I want to be

Those 500's seem like a good deal if I could find someone to do the top ends cheap enough, I'd be happy w/ stock 500 performance

worried about reversion?? :lolhit:

Now THAT is some funny chit! :lolhit:

I should clarify ... all of my experience has been with the Mercury supplied CMI's. I have had 6 different engines with their headers and have had several of the 12 headers develop "issues". These were not old, or high time headers/engines. I still have the photos of what was left of the reversion cones that my friend cut out and replaced on a set that were in a 500 EFI (while he was also fixing a couple of leaks due to poor weld quality). The engine/headers were only 2 years old and only used in freshwater and had been brackish water a couple of times. I posted those photos on OSO several years ago. I even got an unpleasant reply or two from the folks at CMI, too (somewhere around 2003 timeframe). The cones looked like swiss cheese. The welds were leaking a variety of places.

i see some people bashing cmi,the only cmi headers that have issues are the ones specked by mercury for the 525,s,at least those are the only ones i am aware of with issues,does anyone have imformation of other cmi,s with issues?the 525 headers were built by cmi,but the mercury engineers told them how merc wanted them made,so i say shame on mercury for specking cheep junk,and cmi for making them,but i can understand cmi,s reason for making them,its called MONEY.it,s a shame that the end user is the one that suffers from mercury,s specked junk.

Were the Headers in question all saltwater/brackish? I boat only in freshwater

Some claimed to be fresh water only. There is some indication that the problem is more prevalent in twins or trips with long unsupported tails. IDK, my CMIs have been ok. I had put CMIs on my old 496 too and didn't see any gain for $4,600. I was not very happy with Bob Teagues hp & speed gain claims. If you have the aluminum manifolds they are nice pieces that flow more than enough for a stock 496, or even a "tuned" one.

that's what i heard too,about the stockers