I was told buy a CMI rep. That the water issue with my friends 38 fountain stg.525 boat was not cracked headers that had been checked and no problems found. But where fountain had put the dumps to the silent choice in the tail pipes was to close to the collector. But the first set of headers did have cracks after 250 hrs. And one tail pipe was not welded in one spot inside.

the only cmi i would put on my boat would be the old split tubes,,all the newer cmi's are like tin foil compared to stellings and lightening /hardin marines which would be my choice..stellings i think will still make you a set if you ask..
just sayin..

While I have never done it I did talk to Stainless Marine about doing it. They have a jig that the let you use with deposit you then re drill the heads for the different bolt pattern. Then you are done if I ever get a 525 boat the headers will be gone its just to much risk. I was also told by Stainless that there is very little if any HP loss.

I don't know how you give up the sound of a true header vs a manifold. The raspiness, idle, everything just sounds better!

Why not buy a pair of cmi headers direct, built to better standard than the merc spec and sell off your old ones? Keep the bling and the sound!

cus he doesnt like the sound of water in his engine

Exactly. CMI headers are junk. Took out one of my 525s.

Yup, it is a sicking sound when you are cranking and it just stops.

I won't lie. Read so many horror stories I'm petrified of the 525 headers. Lol

I know there will always be somebody bigger and faster an louder. I just want to be able to enjoy my boat by dealing with the other millions of problems a boat has not losing a motor to a faulty header.

I've heard of the silent choice thing and read its only recommended at Idle I would only use it at night in or out of my house.

Just doing as much research as I can.

I certainly appreciate everyone's input.

Call Dana Marine, I was told they made a template for around $375 that will allow you to use any header you want. I'm curious to know if they ever came out with the product.

talked to cmi yesterday they have headers that have both bolt patterns he said merc 525 where propriatary bolt patterns but that make the 525 e tops with both bolt patterns