Hi, I'm looking at several nice boats but all have stock power and would I like to know which motor is a better candidate for upgrades (nothing crazy in order to retain reliability and avoiding excessive maintenance) the 496/496HO or the 502MPI? Thanks for any info!

You can get upgrades on the 496 from Raylar, but you can get upgrades for the 502 from Chevy, and just about every performance supplier in the business. No question the 502 has the bulk of the upgrade parts. Also if you decide to swap out the entire engine later for more power, you can reuse the 502 parts, such as accessory drive, cooling, exhaust, etc., while you couldn't with the 496.

Michael

well said!

The upgrades for the 496HO are realtively limited at this point in time.
There are numerous ways to upgrade the 502mpi's and many companies with performance upgrade packages.

Also food for thought. The word is that the 496's days are numbered as a factory motor from Chevy. Who knows how long it will be offered from Merc.


Darrell.

Both motors are good candidates for engine performance upgrades. I am obviously partial to 496's because we make the aftermarket kits, engine upgrades and parts and they have a better electronics control, fuel system, fresh water cooling standard and we have a nice kit to take a stocker to 525HP without exhaust and ecm upgrades. Don't think you can do that with a 502MPI as easily becuase cylinder head needs, intake, fuel system and ECM upgrades needed and you still won't have the advantages of closed cooling. As for the 496 going away, talk of possible 2009, but nothing definite on a motor that already has about 46,000 marine units in use today!! and the 502 went away back in 2000 and yet the aftermarket has filled the void nicely. Just be careful and realistic to carefully research resale values, costs and availability of upgrades (real marine) and your access to a real marine engine specialist who can help you through the upgrade process, especialy if you plan to go into the motor!!

What ever your choice, establish a realistic BUDGET!, find a nice boat, be safe and have fun!!

Regards,

Ray @ Raylar

Good question RE; 502 or 496.

I just purchased a boat with the 496's. To slow for the standard set up.

Ray !!!! help,!.... and anyone else? Ideas?

I don't believe the 496 is used in any of the trucks anymore, so I guess it is just a marine engine at the moment. Ray, have you heard what they would replace it with in 2009? I'm going to guess with the emissions situation, it will be some sort of bored and stroked LSx small block. They are good engines, but I don't know if they will hold up like a 496 in the marine environment.

Michael

The 502's have forged rotating assembly's, which makes it a good candidate for HP heads, cam, etc.

I've read that the 496 has a cast rotating assembly. That so ??

The very first (2001's) 496's had forged cranks in the HO version. Now, all 496's have cast cranks.