Cast versus Billet oil relocation kits
 

I wish to relocate the oil filters on my Mercury HP 525SC motors and want opinions on the typical cast kits (Trans Dapt for example) versus billet (Hamberger's Performance for example).

There is a huge price difference between the two. A cast kit can be had for $50 or so, where billet pieces with high quality -an hose and fittings can easily hit $500...per motor!!!!!!!!

No question the billet has the bling factor all over the cast stuff. But, is there a real difference in the reliability or performance between the two? (Total added hose length per motor will be about 5')

I'll spend the money for billet pieces if the cast kits would put my motors at risk in any way, shape or form. I just don't spend money for bling alone. (Although I must admit the billet and -an hose/fittings looks great!)

Aren't your blocks oil passages cast?

Indeed they are!

The reason I am asking for opinions is I have read some old threads that some poeple have had problems with some of these cast kits. They didn't say what the problem(s) was. The castings? Hoses? Fittings? I don't know.

Here's what I used http://www.hardin-marine.com/p-14598...gen-6-bbc.aspx very nice pieces and this for filter mount http://www.hardin-marine.com/p-14593...lter-head.aspx both top quality, don't think you can go wrong with either piece!

Thank you so much for your reply...and the links!

CV products makes a really piece for the money.

Used the cast oil relocation and i feel the brackets are weak. Removing oil filter this weekend snapped a leg off attached to the block. I will be using stainless steel to replace.

why do you want to get rid of your billet thermostatic oil filter housings..your opening up a can of worms...

Very nice pieces. Thank you for your reply!

Wow! Filters can require a bit of effort to remove sometimes...but having the mount fail in the process doesn't speak well of the mount! Thank you for your reply.

I don't want to get rid of stock thermostat oil filter housings. I want to keep them and simply relocate the filters from the back of the motors to a place more easily accessable and less prone to making an absolute mess of the bilge when removing the filters.

Actually, if the stock thermostat oil filter housings were way more accessable, I wouldn't change a thing.

Admittedly, adding more "stuff" to the oil system opens the door to possible problems...hence my concern about the quality/reliability/performance of the parts used to relocate the filters.

Thank you very much for your reply.