I'd recommend the Vortech too. I have about 220 hours on my motor with good success. I think the key is set up though. Don't think you can just bolt one up, you need the complete fuel system, injectors, pump and regulator as well as the ECM reprogrammed. I had AZSM do mine. I'm sure there are others that can do it as well but I was told AZSM wrote the programs for Vortech. They did mine at the lake on the fly over 4 days. I don't know if other companies would put that much time into making it right.

BTW, what drive are you running? I can tell you from experience that stock Bravo 1 won't last too long.......

Nice looking setup. We will only install this system if the customer agrees to let us pull the engine and dyno tune. Like you said, it is not a "bolt on" system, there are a lot of other key factors involved in making the Vortech system flawless.

It really is important to run the motor and set the fuel mixture. If you don't have a dyno or a way to run it on the fly you're just guessing. All it takes is lean for a second and you'll be pulling the motor anyways, might as well do it right the first time. What gas do you guys recommend after installation? I was running 93 but sometimes above 5000rpm when it's hot here (110 plus) my knock sensor shuts the motor down on me. I switched to A/v gas and haven't had any problems since.

We run on 93 for most applications. Some of our 540ci Vortech S/C'd engines that like to crank up the boost will run 114.

Thanks for all the help on this...As I stated I am only looking for 600-650 ponies and would like to keep the boost down to make the drive live a little longer. I was also hoping to run 89 octane fuel as well, hopefully keeping the boost down will let me do that. The dyno thing is no problem I have a dyno 20 minutes from my house. Now that I think about it 650 ponies would be just about right, for my rig and would push me into the 80's easily. Then it would be time to upgrade the drive to keep things safe. It has a bravo I now ....what is the best alternative for this? would like to get a 2" shorty.

Bryan

A shorty isn't going to help out, your upper will probably blow the floor out of it first. You really need an XR or have someone build you drive like Mr Gadgets or Max Machine Worx, Imco, Teague etc.. You could run the drive and baby it as long as you can. It could hold up forever but it's doubtful. Better get some external steering too while you are at it.

As far as 89, keep your motor stock if that's an issue. You wont be able to run it, no point in taking a chance on detonation to save 5 bucks at the pump. Premium only in your blower motor, even a naturally aspirated motor that's only 500 ci making 650 hp won't run on 89. It's just not going to happen, or it could happen but you'll be putting new pistons or valves in it regularly.

OK then ....that settles that.....Iguess I will be running 93 in it then. As far as the steering goes I am in the process of puting a system together, I have aquired a new Capilano 1250 helm and am working on the rest, I am going full hydraulic helm to dual rams, thought about the add on but thought that going full now would save me a headache in the future, for the drive I am considering many options but when I do it I am going to go 2" shorter....any suggestions? for this stuff mentioned above.


Bryan

Bryan,
I'm not trying to rain on the SC parade, but , why not just have the motors redone and keep the reliablility of the EFI and natural aspiration. JC perf is taking the 500 efi's in my tiger and putting them at 625. from mercs standards the motors are about 505-525 from the factory. cam headwork and comp prog changes 600-625 is easily attainable. Just food for thought...Rob

Not to rain on the N/A parade or anyones abilities, but keeping the 500 efi system in conjunction with E-top headers will NOT result in an easy 600-625 HP on pump fuel without supercharging it regardless of what you do to it.

I have seen a few of the so called dyno sheets showing it, but for some unknown reason, the boats never showed the benefit of a 100+ hp gain.

The intake won't support the airflow required to make that kind of hp without it being forced and the headers certainly won't. Especially with only 502/509 cubic inches. Call CMI and ask them.

Good Luck.