if you were to do it over again
 

for the guys that built motors for your boats would you go with big inch 540-572 na motors or smaller 454-496 supercharged engines.can't decide which way to go.had some problems with a supercharged small block i did for my last boat.can get a deal on a procharger about the same price i would pay for a tall deck dart block.help me decide

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

Depends on the enternals of both. No replacement for displacement. Less problems with a well built NA.

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

I wouldn't of married my wife :evilb:

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

I guess there are many ways you can look at it. It usually depends on personal preference---so, you're going to get a lot of opinions on this. Supercharged engines certainly have their place, but as for me, I prefer Naturaly Aspirated engines vs a forced induction engine such as a supercharger/blower. There's pro/cons to each application. One, is that you have to be careful with a supercharged engine when applied to a Bravo outdrive. I have a 32' boat with Bravo One outdrives so, I opted to go without the superchargers and add a few more cubes instead. HP still costs money either way you go.

JimV (OSO member) lost about 7mph when he removed his supercharger from his engine and went naturally aspirated, but he's MUCH happier because he has much less downtime, and isn't breaking drives anymore like he used to.

Naturaly Aspirated engines have less moving parts and require less maintenance. I suppose if I owned a larger, heavier boat like a 41' Apache w/#6 drives, then perhaps I would go with supercharged engines if I really wanted the boat to run well.

With a supercharged application the torque usually comes in like Gang Busters. Sure, torque is your friend in a boat----but brutal torque and Bravo Ones don't always get along too well.

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

LMAO :D :evilb:

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

If it's for this boat, i'll go with a 572NA. If I get another boat it will have closed cooling NA mercruiser packages.

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

I wanted an engine that was built with the best components. I know that I spent a few more $'s with the 540s NA, but hope that I will have longevity on my side. And, like was said before - I have Bravos and it is going to be tough enough keeping them alive with NA.

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

what compression ratio's are you using with na motors,87 octane is the only thing they have on my lake.can you get away with 87 with 540 9-1 compression

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

That was my first thought !!!!!!!!!! :evilb:

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

I would gp with a big inch motor AND a supercharger :D

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

anyone have any luck with and stock 454 mag carb and procharger.only looking for 525-550 hp for my 25 active thunder

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

priceless!!!!!!!!

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

The only correct answer!!! :eureka:

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

bingo...we have a winner :D

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

Not an expert, but I was told at 10:1 compression you need to use 91 octane.

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

#1 would have gotten the 89 sutphen 26 big block in 1990 instead of my baja 24 ol 88 #2 would have stayed single #3would have gone to college in stead of going in the union carpet installers all the guys I learned from are dead #8 of the guys from my dads old shop are gone most in there fifty's I'm 48 5 bad disks and one bad knee :eek: :D O big inches my motor is a 510, but I'd like to have a 700plus inch motor built :D :D :D

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

My compression ratio is 10.25, so will be using 93.

Re: if you were to do it over again
 

I went with a 540 AND a blower on my current engine,makes 950 plus ft lbs tq on 92 octane,would have went bigger but tall deck motor would have created extra heartache when running exhaust thru transom,Smitty