Hey guys, I have a 30' Eliminator Eagle (single engine). Currently has a 496HO/Bravo 1 installed from the factory. I have decided to repower her and have been going back and forth for days on which power-plant to choose.

I have already decided to go with the Arneson ASD7 kit to replace the drive so that is settled.

I am looking at a used and complete 700sci with low hours on it vs an all new hand built 632BBC with all top shelf components making 950hp. The cost is equal for both. The logical choice is to go with the new engine and more power. But then comes the question of which will be more reliable in the long run. The mercury is arguably the better choice here but then again it is a used engine. Being that I regularly tote my family around in the boat, reliability is a big deal to me (for their sake). For me to justify a complete repower however, it has to be louder and much faster!

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this topic.

I'd do the 700. Great engine, great upgrades out there from whipple for them, etc. Performance Boat Center has a brand new one with headers and all the warranty for $40k OBO.

700 sci, then you can always do the upgrades, stage 2, etc.

A 950HP 632cid is a beast of an I/O pleasure boat engine. Race gas ? How aggressive of a cam ? Valvetrain life ? Idle/docking characteristics ? Dry exhaust ? How much do you trust the builder ?

@ 950hp you'd need to have the builder on retainer.............I'd go Smurf power.......... What kind of power does it take to spin a Arneson ASD7 ?

I also vote for the 700.

Great motor, proven trustful, lots of upgrade options. Just a great power plant from Merc.

All things equal, I would rather own a Merc 700 SCI than a custom motor - the resale will be better and should be more reliable.

Having said that, boy you really have to be careful who you buy used engines from. How well do you know the seller?

If you want, you can follow along in this thread as this boat and engine are built. 665 inch custom big-block, you may or may not find it interesting. http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...low-along.html

The 950hp 632 would be pump gas, good size cam, solid roller top end with isky and dry exhaust. Have not had an engine built by him before. Customers do have great feedback (even when something goes wrong).

All good info guys, thanks. Good point: 700sci now, stage 4 upgrade later if needed. What is the official rebuild period on the 700sci. I've searched on here and seen anything from 250hrs to 600hrs..