Advice on re-power options
 

So one of my twins is starting to go, they've run great for a very long time but my mechanic has convinced me that its time to start over if i want to enjoy turn key trouble-free boating. I'm weighing out my options and would be great to get some input here on OSO. Drop-ins are within budget but a crap-shoot, i really dont want to end up getting passed along someone else's problem. Marc 520's and up are out of my budget. My mechanic has recommended the remanufactured Merc 540 repower option which is about 15k each drop-in ready including exhaust.
https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...units=imperial

The idea of Merc dependability and trustworthy warranty (which i understand can be extended to 3 years with some extra coin) is reassuring, and once the warranty runs out he says these are basically built like 500 bulldogs and can be hot-rodded with a cam swap etc. But in the meantime i'll be down on power, and i'll have to throw more money at it later to get back to where i was at before with the 525sc's. Thoughts?

I'm also looking around at other options, for example White Performance http://whiteperformance.com out of Kingsport Tennessee has quoted me $10843 for the following 540 package built with all new parts and Dyno'd:

Merlin 3 Block
WPM Alum Heads / with inconnel valves
Eagle forged crank
Eagle forged h beam rods
Comp Cam Hyd roller camshaft
Comp Short Travel lifters
Comp rockers - Ultra Pro Magnums
Quick Fuel M-850 Marine carb (Double pump)
Diamond forged pistons & rings
Melling oil system
Cloyes billet timing set
ARP Fasteners
Felpro gaskets
Single plane intake manifold
Champ oil pan
Fabricated alum valve covers
Dressup kit - (Hi flow water pump, one wire alternator polished alum pulley and bracket set, gates belts)
Ignition kit (Coast Guard approved ignition system)

That is far less than most of the other 540 options i've found so far, too good to be true?

I have to do some additional homework to add up the rest of the accessories i'll need to have totally new power. My guy says we can re-use my bell housings, we'll have to discuss exhaust and whether i can use my current stainless marine manifolds and risers.

What do you folks think about the Merc 540 remanufacture option, what are your thoughts on the white performance option, and if you have other suggestions fire away. Thanks!

Suggest you contact Dave at MDG Performance and speak with him (410-956-5381)... http://mdgperformance.com/

Good Luck on the repower..

Chris

Do not buy from whites. A friend has 2 piles of **** from them that didn't last 10 hours. The merc 540 leaves a lot to be desired. There a ways off from what the original description pre intro to the market was.

Dave is our mechanic :) He doesnt recommend rebuilding the current motors. So far his recommendation for reliability in my budget range is the 540 remanufactured, unless we can find drop ins that give us some sense of security.

I was afraid to hear something like that, but did want to hear it now rather than later if true.

Do you mean they are not as described on the merc website? Or in some other way deficient?

Thanks

Actually it seems there are 2 white performances in Kingsport Tennessee, http://www.whiteperformance.com and http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com
Appears that one is the father one is the son. Do you know which one your friend got those piles of chit from? Anybody else have experience with these guys?

Small world...Dave just pulled our motors today for freshening...Wish you the best of luck. Get that thing done by April 28th so you can join us for the Chesapeake Bay Family and Friends event out of Chesapeake Beach Resort....http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/m...nt-2017-a.html

Uncle and nephew. Uncle engine builder.Nephew, Skip (retail parts) brought ProComp to Ebay many years ago. I will refrain from saying anything else.

Ahhh... i've seen the ProComp threads on here... thanks.

I'll find out, the 540 was originally supposed to make more power and be a little cheaper than what it came out at. I want to say it's all done by 4400 rpm?