How well does this motor take to supercharging? Will it affect the reliability? What types of superchargers would work well with this motor? Thinking about doing this as a winter project.
We do a couple of Whipple installs on 525's every year. It is by far the best and only way to go for supercharging a 525. Actually, it's about the only thing I recommend doing to a 525. We have upgraded them in the past to make 650 hp NA. However, they had all broken prior to us doing the work. They had all broke rod bolts, so the entire bottom end was junk. At that point, it made sense to upgrade them to a 540, 547, etc. As a good running engine, you would have to replace so many parts to make any appreciable power gains that it wouldn't make financial sense. That engine is too valuable to cannibalize. And I build marine engines for a living, so I would love to build them. I just can't recommend doing that with a clear conscience. Mercury did a great job of making everything on that engine just good enough to do what it's intended. The heads are mediocre, so is the intake, etc. Even with stoking them and making them into 547 CI, we could only make 650 hp. That's all the intake will allow, and that was with a larger than stock throttle body. You would be better served to sell it and start over. You could build a better engine with better parts and make more power. But, the Whipple is a great alternative. We have done dozens and dozens of them over the years and they are fantastic. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have or give you some numbers as we have been a Whipple dealer for about 15 years now. You can call me at the shop anytime at 615-216-7449
Eddie
03-08-2018 | 12:08 AM
