I found this on Ebay

572 CID Merlin Marine Engines [2] $127,000 original cost!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Block Chevy type

Absolute best of the best of everything. Merlin 4.5x4.5 bore/stroke. Callies crank, Oliver rods, and JE pistons with ARP rod bolts. Sendure heat exchangers...one for water and another for oil/trans. Both are hughly oversized. Brand new MSD systems including new MSD distributors. Closed loop freshwater cooled with Jabsco pumps. Merlin heads with Ferrea valves 2.8 inch intake and 1.88 exhaust severe duty. Oval port Merlin heads with 265 port volume on intake and 298 port volume on the exhaust. Designed for lower RPM torque. Peak is around 2800-3000 rpm. Stainless Marine exhaust the best there is according to Joey for longevity and durability. Roller cam with roller valve train by Competition Cams. Counter rotating setup. These engines had 20 hours on them when I got them and Joey Griffin has detuned them to run on pump gas with a 8.5 to 1 compression ratio. He has tuned and dynoed them and they are absolutely ready to drop in and go. They are perfect for someone who wants "more" that has an express cruiser or sportfisherman and if you have a performance boat with a simple cam change they can be turned into fire breathers. Joey estimated a cam change would run about $2500 to complete. They also have Stewart nascar water pumps with the high volume flow, remote oil filters, alternators, stainless braided steel lines, Carbs are custom built and tuned by Joey. These engines had Lingerfelter stump pulling plenum boxes with Kinsler fuel injection which Joey said just take it off and put carbs on them. I have that too if interested. Joey says he can't duplicate these for under $60,000. They are super nice but divorce forces sale.

What gives with marine motors. I could build this same motor and have the machine work done by Diamond Racing (who does only race motors) in Clinton Township, for less than half the price. Are boat motors like corvette parts?

Cause they can...

Thats pretty much it.

Ya wanna play , you're gonna p_ay

Yeah, you can walk into almost any Chevrolet dealership and order a 550 hp. crate motor for about eight grand. It sucks that "marine" motors are two/three times the price.

just a couple of reasons: compare the duty cycle of a marine motor to an automotive; count the accessories required on a marine motor; price out a good set of exhaust manifolds/tail pipes; blowers & blower drive system, fuel injection, +more...

the same reason a house on the water cost more................................... cause it on the water................Rag's

Marine = Mo $$$$

Whilw what most of you guys say is true, marine motors are expensive due to the parts and accessories used. For example, we sell a 540c.i. long block for around 12K, but the complete engine cost 22K. We don't make any more money for the complete engine, because the accessories cost so much. There are several builders, most with automotive backgrounds, who offer a cheaper product, but it is just that, a cheaper product. Bottom line is, you get what you pay for, and its alot cheaper to do it right the first time.

Steve

what should be ballpark for 1000hp 598 cid engine?