Best Engine?
 

Wondering what the best engine would be for a boat 1998-2001. By best, I mean reliable with good power and longevity. Now don't get crazy let's keep it to 500HP, 502Mag, 500EFI, 496, 496HP? I know just enough to be dangerous but I think the answer is clearly 500HP. Am I undereducated? Any insight, common problems, nightmares to stay away from? Not looking to set speed records, just get as much speed as I can reliably and semi-stock.

I suggest you talk to Raylar for a good value on reasonable power.

I don't need to buy an engine. I'm buying my next boat and my budget falls into the 98-01 range. I've seen all the different engines (stock) and would like to be armed with all the knowledge I can. I used to have a 502 N.A. and it was bullit proof. I always wanted a 500HP but if I can't find the right boat with HP's I'd lean toward something injected. So I'd just like to know more about the engines I mentioned in my earlier post. Common ocurrences good, bad, quirks, etc or simply am I off my rocker for wanting a 500HP?

:d

500HP's are good engines. The only issue is the valve springs which need replaced in the 200-250hr interval.

As far as longevity, that is going to depend on how they were taken of to start with. I would expect full rebuilds on on 500HP and EFI's around 500hrs if they were maintained properly.

Don't know what this means... anyone?

At rebuild, are their aftermarket valve springs that would increase the replacement interval? How come the 500s have to be rebuilt so soon (500 hrs)?

You keep using terms that are relative, like reliability and longevity. Most would not consider 500hrs as "so soon"
thats 8-10 years of boating for most people. 500hrs is an average. Some people will get 300 and some 700hrs.

my 502 mag mpis have been terrific and have not heard or seen any history to suggest otherwise. my suggestion would be to buy boat/motors that are original and EFI from the factory. this will mean that they have been run at proper operating temp and proper mixture and won't suffer from the oil contamination issues and subsequent wear that so many carbed and non factory motors have. this is not to suggest that all rebuilds are bad... just that if its original /factory merc, you know for sure what you are starting with and whats in it.

I have had two sets of 500's.......great motors! Out of the category you mentioned, the 500HP over the 500efi would be my choice. It is easier to upgrade for the do it yourselfer. With the EFI, you are going to have to have access to someone who can program EFI.......and that may or may not work out right depending on who does it.

or you could just leave it stock and go 99 % as fast with roughly 500 % more reliability...

hmmmm let me think about that trade off.

Bingo!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm hoping to land a certain 35 with 500HPs. I just needed a little confirmation on what I believed was the right engine package (for me anyway).

you can buy my 96 top gun for 80 k. only 150 hrs on the 502s

Sleek.

LOL I just went through what you are gong through.
First.. set your budget. Period. then get the latest model and engine you can get for that budget. Remember, everything is a compromise when it comes to boats and motors.

IE. I got something that will go through hurricanes, but won't brake speed records. Ergo.. comprimise, when all the ... ,, xyz'a go to the docks, I can still motor comfortably. but sacrificing speed. Review your interests, boating habbits, budget, boating location. and make a decision. YOu can get a great 502 or 496, or a ruined 500 or 525. THe more the HP the more it was probably used to get those HP's. Get something stock and good, economically and then spend the $ to give it some oooumph..


In fact I need some more HP lol

Paradox, glad to hear you got what you wanted. I feel confident I'm looking at the right boats (probably Formula but also entertaining AT). I like to sleep over on the boat, mostly lake use but will go to San Diego once or twice a year. I'd like to do 80ish (moving up from 70mph) I know there's always a bigger faster boat than mine and I can live with that. I'm not going to do much if anything to the engines. Therefor I'd like to get 500HPs as they are stock and have the most stock horses (as far as I know).

Love and respect the Cigs but I'm looking for creature comforts and any Cig I've seen only has seats in the cabin. If I win the loto I'll buy a Cig for my second boat.:D

Sleek. :D

Didn't get what I wanted. Every boat is somewhat a compromise. Didn't win the lotto. But I like what I purchased. Have some creature comforts and rides well in rough water.
Working on some more HP's for the 496's. I want to hit that 80 MPH mark to, but I'm not there yet. I really like the Formulas, AT's, Hustlers, but I got an Avanti. Not many Avantis around.
I always wanted to be one of the few not one of the many. :party-smiley-048: 353 Fasteck is probably the way to go.

I'll post the info when I get the "new" boat. I'm still early in my research but hopefully I'll be able to tell you something in the next month or so. Enjoy your Avanti. Oh yeah, I was wondering if in your search for horses you looked at the Raylar setup? Saw it in Powerboat mag. Don't know anything about it but it looks clean.

I have talked to Raylar. Mercury owes me a favor. A set of motors for OEM, but they are back paddleing. If I can't work out the deal with Merc. I do the Raylar upgrade.
Gowad help Merc. if they piss me off. I broad cast all they problems and secrets to the boating world. I just had a call, from the VP, but I will give them a nother chance.
I am reasonable... to a point....:angry-smiley-055:

If you go with the Raylar "add on" let me know how it works out.