new Chevy engine - BBC replacement
 

I know I read about the 496 being discontinued and replaced with a small block platform with displacement range from 3??ci to 480ci, but can't find the thread.

This is the only one I could find but isn't the one I was thinking about - http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...hlight=mercury

Who has info on the new engines? I'm curious about things like weight, packaging size, cost, etc.

I don't know what the thread is, but I think it's 326 ci on the low end. pretty neat concept, I just hope it works out well.

I'd look hard at one of these if I was replacing a BBC.
http://www.raylarengine.com/550_engine.html

The thread I remembered was on PB forums...
http://www.performanceboats.com/html...t=discontinued

Don't believe all the things you hear around the industry.
Gm Powertrain will be building the 496 -8.1Liter or 8100 vortec engine at least thru 2009 maybe even 2010. Mercury and others may start shifting over to new lighter smaller displacement engines if they can get the supercharged 377 cubic inch versions to work properly in marine performance applications and still meet the new 2008 to be enforced? emissions regulations in 2009, 2010?? In the mean time don't be worried about 496's, about 40,000 plus out there pluggin along quite nicely. One of the most successful low cost big blocks ever brought into the marine performance industry!
If you want to see our answer to the question "What's Next",
check out our website www.raylarengine.com and click the LSM550 page and you will see what is here now for you worried, oh my god,I need something new types!
We will have the engine on display at the Miami Show booth 3930.
Believe me when I say I think we have the best new engine on the market "Bar None". Our testing and use has shown us that when you can get a smaller size, reasonable cubic inch, high efficiency ,normally asspirated, all aluminum, closed cooling 540 lb motor @ 550HP to work! You really are ahead of the curve!
Gentlemen, quit speculating and procrasstinating, step up a purchase the Future! The future is already here!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar