az-speed v.s. whipple
 

I want to know what everybody thinks about mods. on the 496 HO. Should I go with the az-speed manifold kit or go with the wipple I still want to keep my boat reliable as i can, How many hours can I expect to get out of the moter with the wipple, the az kit is keeping the boat naturally aspirated, but who knows how it will work. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I think reliable will go out the window once you start to change it from stock.

The Whipple will make more power on a 496HO than the AZSM manifold but engine life will probably be cut in half at 5-6 plbs. boost even with the intercooler. The AZSM manifold size and shape will make reconfiguring the 496HO a nightmare! meaning you are going to have to reconfigure all the mountings of the computer, cables, hoses and bottles, etc. for probably 25 HP max unless you change cams and do serious headwork.
If I were you I would wait until March and get our new 496 "BIGPOWER" aluminum heads we are premering at the Miami show. These new heads will take over 100 lbs per engine out of the back of your boat, and make some serious power increases in the 496HO. Couple these with a cam change and a little manifold massaging until our new intake is out in May and you will able to easily take your 496HO to reliable long life 550 HP levels for less money than some of these other systems!
See YA!
Raylar:D

engine mods
 

raylor what do you have coming out for the 575sci?

Whipple:cool:

Raylar were do i get some info,web site,or what i'm interseted and i can wait til march or april we don't boat until mid april.

Raylar, Who are you with? Who is making these heads? and the new manifold?

Engine life cut in half with whipple, whipple says they are the most reliable advanced systems avail.

Whipple

How long should the motor last with a whipple if you take care of it and just use wot when needed.

We're going on app 300 salt water hours in two years with Whipples with only one minor problem. 90% of our boating is long distance to Grand Bahama, Bimini, Nassau, etc at 3000 to 4000 RPM with a very occasional less than 1 minute WOT (5,500 rpm). The singular problem was a front pulley bearing that seized on the way back from Key West this past November. Sent it back to Whipple and it was replaced and back to us within 1 week, Outstanding service! (they now use a sealed and superior bearing to eliminate the problem we encountered)

Ours is a triple engine Black Thunder with Bravo XR's, 1.36 ratio, 5 blade Hydromotives 29" pitch. The engines were assembled by Chief Engines in Fort Lauderdale, dyno at an average 700 HP.

Good luck and have fun.

Steve

steve

what motors were they stock

boat4life,

Originally they were 500 EFI's (1999) In 2002 we sold those short blocks and replaced them with GM crate engines. Put on Merlin 310cc heads, crane cam identical to 500 efi cam and crane rockers. The original engines were fine, just over 600 hours and due to the nature of our boating, like to keep them till 600 then either sell or complete rebuild. At the time, Tommy at Chief Engines could assemble the GM crate engines fairly quick, otherwise it would be 3-4 months to completely go through the existing engines. Only problem with 500 efi's when Whipples were added, was one blown headgasket at about 230 hours. Cause was detonation at WOT between cylinders 5 and 7.

take care,
Steve