500 EFI vs 525 EFI Cost Justified?
 

Same year engines, same hours considering the upgrade.

The total swap would cost about $ 15K out of pocket by the time I buy the 525's and sell the 500's.

Is it worth the $$?

Kirk

Just put some cams in those 500's and fine tune the injection, You'll make more power than the 525's.

well you know what you have and the shape of the motor's .
peace of mind if they are in good shape .
i think for 15 k that's a lot of $ for maybe 2 or 3 mph .
but i could be wrong .
and don't forget about the header's on the 525 the alway's leak after a year or so and they are big $$$ to replace .
mike

$15K for 50 (combined) hp is more than I would pay. My wife is annoyed I'm going to spend $2K to pick up 80hp. If I was spending 15K I would whipple them and get 700hp a side. Might be a little more than $15K but I think the price is in that neighbourhood.

Closed cooling and aluminum heads would be nice.

I know the HP isnt significant. But the resale of the boat down the road with closed cooling and the HP may be worth the upgrade.

I am done with blowers and big HP for a while. I feel that I had the best engine money could buy with the Gary Taylor Quad Rotor. Absolutely flawless performance and exactly as he advertised with the HP and my wet Etops. Very happy with the purchase!!

But honestly I dont think my insurance would honor a serious claim if they knew about the HP/blower, and my project just didnt work as planned.

I'll find out what my insurance says on Tuesday about 525's if the premium doesnt go up to bad I might do it. I appreciate the feedback...keep it coming.

Also Elite Marine offers this package:

High Performance proven ATECO/DART Pro 1 heads have the combination to maximize your engine’s horse power. Take your 500 EFI to 625 hp at a fraction of the cost of total engine replacement with our state-of-the-art inhouse built DART Pro 1 Aluminum Marine heads. These specially designed custom built heads include REV Severe Duty Stainless Intake Valves, REV Inconel Exhaust Valves, FEL-PRO Head, Intake, Timing Cover and Exhaust Gaskets, MANLEY Pushrods, ISKY Roller Hydraulic Cam, Lifters, Springs, Retainers and Locks, ARP Head Bolt Set, True Roller Timing Set and complete Computer Reprograming. These power houses come complete and ready to bolt on for $4,795 per pair.

And I'd still have $$ left for drive upgrades and gas!! No blowers, motors are completely stock looking and turnkey!!

I'm no builder but with the help of some buddies we built up my 500EFI's, 625hp out of replacement heads seems a little optimistic.......OK, ALOT optimistic. I'd have to see dyno pulls made before and after using the same "settings".
Mine were turned into 540's, throttle body, cam, Iron eagles, dyno tuned and only made 630hp (but 700TQ).

I went the 502 route and turned them into 540s. A little less expensive yet. I did change the heads to aluminum ones.

Carbed 502 can make 620 hp with aluminum heads and cam shafts. RMBuilder has done a many upgrades with 502's and made 600 hp and a little more. I believe Bob would say that the intake is very restrictive on the 500EFI's which limits the HP with 502 CI. I think there was 500EFI upgrade that made 575 hp with AFR heads and camshafts.

Carbed 540's can make >650hp with aluminum heads and cam shafts.