Well I can appreciate that, but no manufacture is perfect.

According to Donnie at offshore performance who I have had nothing but great service from for 10 plus years (he has always made anything rite with me) there have been no problems with any of cmi headers he has sold sense 09 and he sells hundreds of them all over the world.

The first 4-5 years most headers are good and you typically don't have any issues... It's about the 5 year mark onward that you begin to see small cracks in the collector area and around the exhaust ports. It's not just CMI's either.. I don't just say this from my own personal experience, I say it from having experience as a marine mechanic years ago. Also seeing a lot of friends who have replaced their headers over the years.

When I replaced my CMI's they were roughly 9 years old. My boat was even featured in the CMI show us your headers campaign years ago. The years up to 4-5 were good, years 6 trhough 9 they were repaired each winter up until it got to a point that the risk was too high to keep running them. They were Elbo tops, not even the 700 style. I consider them a wear item.

On the flip side, the boat I owned before this, the Stainless Marine system was installed in 1998, I sold the boat in late 2004 and there was never an issue. I switched from CMI to Stainless Marine on my current boat because of the success I had with my Scarab and for the last 4 years everything is still good to go. I had the exaust off last month (as I do every season) to lash the valves and everything is still perfect. I imagine I'll do another decade plus with the current system.

I also just purchased a SM system for my 2nd boat.

I had a set of Stainless Marine on my boat and was having issues with water seepage. After some testing, with even a brand new set of SM exhaust, after a minute or two, water started seeping through the aluminum. Even spoke to SM several times concerning this issue, they claimed to have never seen this issue. We did several test with other aluminum manifolds as well and the only ones that didn't do this were Gils. I'm not knocking SM, as I have heard many people praise them, but there were several other engine failures in my area due to this problem. I even had the manifolds polydyned, problem still existed. Just my two cents. I would love to find a solution that would last 10 years.

This was all documented on video.

It seems like for the price of one set of CMI headers for a 525 you could all most equip both engines with Stainless Marine manifolds for what Diamond Marine has them on sale for.. I have one newer set and one older set of headers on the boat. A row boat would be a simple solution but, I am too old to get it on plane any more. I really don't want to blow a engine due to header issues.

I've never seen that before Somethin' Sexy and I've been around this stuff for a long time. It seems like you may have gotten a bad casting. You should have had a warranty if you purchased them new.

You asked for advise. Several people have told you of their history with CMI headers. I don't have an axe to grind regarding this subject. We are consumers and have to pay for the product. I have never heard of a Stainless Marine manifold failing. Best of luck with your decision.

Thank you everyone at OSO no were else could I go and get all this information.

I would like to wish all you boaters a Happy Thanksgiving

Got be be honest Gerald, this is a damn impressive maintenance schedule!

Gary I wish I could take all the credit but I cant.

Ron Sporl performance tough me a lot of it after. I paid him for all the break downs. Lol

Dont forget to change drive fluid and any filters and if you got #6 drives separate the upper and lower and tighten the the two nuts on the vertical shafts takes a special tool and look for gear ware.

Looks like he's on top of it! Preventing breakdowns before they happen!

In addition to his list, I also;
* lash valves
* replace water pumps
* remove drives ans store them
* inspect gimbals, bellows and bearing
* change and inspect drive oil. Inspect all drive gears for pitting and rebuild as necessary.

This hobby we have is crazy!

Thanks for all the great info guys. We have had a couple of warmer days here and I have been going over the list and checking it twice....

I have been running a set KE's pipes since 99'. Been 100% of time in salt water. There is enough data out there to support the fact that the only pipe that came close to making equal power was the 'big tubes". I have over 600 hours of salt water use. Not one issue. I had the same problems with Stellings and CMI prior to going to KE's pipe. Did the drain deal after shutting down to kinda protect the motors. Then send them back and get them welded normally by the collector. Lot's of friends over the years made decisions on pipes and normally went to CMI's and I guess they figured their experience would be different. Then they start writing the checks to their engine builder and hear they also need to buy new pipes. So what do they buy.....CMI's! But they look good! Funny how some things don't change!

IF I could figure out to put some more "bling" to my design, I could retire. You right, seems that "looks" are more important then performance to most. :(

You are not suggesting that most Performance Boaters have more ego than common sense, are you?:party-smiley-004: ............Why I oughta..........Oh by the way, I have 13 yr old KEs on my saltwater operated Innovation 600s. Only problem I have ever had, which was recent, is the need to replace a few water distribution tee's

So which KE exhaust system would work on 525's ??

The only header that was cast, this one I posted a picture on post #40, I have never owned a set, but if I did have to purchase new headers this would be my first choice for a BBC style header, it simply works, and the dyno-testing results from either hot boat or powerboat magazine (publications) many years ago confirmed that. Long tube runner length, no welds all one casting, great for salt-water, hard to argue against this header.

This would work for a 525, send Scarabman or Bob a PM and they may give you better first hand experience and information, (Bob and Scarabman I hope you are not offended I volunteered you without your consent). These headers are not cheap, that is the only drawback, but the initial outlay is a sound investment, since they last, no reversion, and help make horsepower.

(Bob and Scarabman I hope you are not offended I volunteered you without your consent). These headers are not cheap, that is the only drawback, but the intial outlay is a sound investment, since they last, no reversion, and help make horsepower.

Smarty. no problem at all. I am not sure who is actually making these now days. I believe Carson-Brumett out west bought the tooling. CP ended up I believe with KE's original product line but I think they no longer sell them. KE would probably know or at least have a line on availability 309-562-7271. Feel free to call and I will help in anyway I can. 239-738-6200.

IMO they are very reasonably priced . http://www.diamondperformanceparts.c...cat=282&page=1

That's a good price. Actually I think they were the same price back in 1997 or so. Sure nice to see not all pricing has went crazy over the last few years!

Those look like they could be bad ass.... Will they bolt directly to the heads, or will they have to be redrilled ?? Has anyone put them on 525's ??

A friend of mine has a set on his 540 Donavin and it does sound killa . Someone else will give you the other info you seek as to fitment .

Yeah, it would be great to know if anyone has put these on 525's...

They obviously won't have the correct bolt pattern for a 525. Nor will you be able to redrill the holes in the exhaust like you can on a set of SS headers. The KE's don't have a flat flange like a set of CMI's, Stellings, etc. so there is no place to drill the 525 pattern in them. I believe that SM has a jig to drill the 525 heads so that they accept standard BBC exhaust. That would be the only way to put them on 525's.
Eddie

So the heads could be drilled and tapped to accept the KE headers ??

Yes. Stainless Marine sells a jig and tap to put the stock BBC holes in the 525 heads.
Eddie

We will be offering a jig in the near future for our Thunder & Lightning Manifolds (KE's) to fit the 525efi.

The jig will also work on 600SCi's and 700's as well, since they all use the same Edlebrock head, correct? BTW, Thanks for investing in the Jig, I think it will be a great to get away from CMI's, and you guys should sell a bunch of T+L Headers!
Dean

I am rebuilding one of my engines because of leaking headers and instead of buying new ones I´m thinking of installing the new "Seaward Series 525 / 600 / 700 Exhaust System" (bolt on).

Is this a stupid idea?

I am aware that it will look a little odd with staggered 700:s and these "blocks" as exhausts but I don´t want any more surprises..


Happy Easter!
/F0RD

Just buy stainless marine they make same power and last forever, all stainless headers will eventually leak. make the manifolds the same color as the blowers

The Hardin "Seaward Series" got my attention because you don´t need to drill anything, its a bolt on solution.