New Merc 525, good -bad?
 

Does anyone have information on their performance and reliability? How does the 525EFI compare to the 500EFI?
Thanks for any information. JB

Re: New Merc 525, good -bad?
 

Its 25 more HP:D :eek: :D

Actually though, I haven't heard of anyone on OSO who has them yet and I'm not sure they are even available yet.

Troutly, I have a copy of the 382, 525EFI test sheet. At 12400 lbs it ran about 76 mph. This was the Dealer demo with ITS. So far the ITS has not gotten great reviews, this may by due to a lower drive height than the stellings box installation. Thanks JB

Tres Martin dialed in a 38 Top Gun weighing in at 11,475 lbs and got 86.4 mph. It had a flat screen tv/stero with all kind of extra batteries, etc.
I think that pretty respectful.
ck

PQ is currently building a 380 Avenger with ITS and the 525's. I am told that it will be featured in an up coming PB mag test. I woundn't doubt that you will see close to 85 with that combo. :)

I spoke to Rick Mackie at Merc Racing recently about the 525 and he told me the best thing to do is come on up and take a look :). I am only about 45 minutes from the factory :D If I do, I will bring the camera ;)

Thanks for the replies, I agree with Troutly on Formula's pricing, it leads you away from the ITS package for the reasons you mentioned. How much do you gain with the Stellings boxes on the Formulas? Iam looking at a 382 with 525's and Stellings. What is the story on the mufflers, like power loss?

I can tell you that at a 33ZX Donzi gained about 7mph from 500's to the new 525's. The motor has a incredible amount of torque. I was told by the guys at lake x that they dyno around 540hp.

38ZR
 

Was 7 mph the only difference? or was there also a load difference? Sounds too good to be true..

One of my friends just bought a new 25' Daytona with one of the first 525 efi's produced and the boat runs!! Mid to high 80's on warrantied Mercruiser power.

ITS is pricey but will help you on resale value. ITS with a set of Herring Props w/ the Sportmaster Drives is some high tech stuff - warrantied too. Just my .02 worth.......BH

Obviously ITS pricing depends on the MFG. If they are not willing to give a credit based on their previous external steering package it is not a good deal. I spoke with a freind of mine who works at Profile, and he stated they just had a 33 tested for Powerboat last week with the ITS. They raised the X 1.5" over their previous Bravo installations for this boat. He didn't give me the top speed numbers, but stated Bob Teague remarked it hit 80 in 15 seconds and was impressed. I do not know if this boat has 500's or 525's. He also told me a 525 w/ the ITS is $36,000 ea. their cost for whatever its worth.

We will all find out next year when ist leagal for factory boats in APBA! I have never heard of merc building something less comprable then what they are eliminating.The 500 EFI is going by-by and it needs to be replaced.I'm sure its a kick ass motor but has a price that will kick your ass.
Randy

What about the new 8.1 from Mercury Racing??? Every time I see a race on T.V. they give that motor alot of air time, I never hear them talk about the the 525's. Mercury hasn't even listed the 8.1 on their website yet. Which will be the power of choice in Factory Racing next year? Either way, there will be alot of used HP500EFI's floating around for sale..

My question is how do you get 11,000 and 12,000 pound boats out of a hull that weighs 8,500 pounds. I may be ignorant but all the accessories in the world would not add up too 11,000 lbs. just my .02

Mercury says the HP3 is a Chevrolet product and at present they (merc) have no plans to offer it in the future. I think they make too much on their in house HP motors to consider a lower priced GM assembled package !!!!

What is this weight thing? Are we saying some manufacturing companys overstate their boat weights? Has anyone found examples?