I have had hp 500 efi 300 hours no problems , 525 200 hours no problem, now running 600 sci 100 hours ,blue has been very dependable to me 3 for 3 so far

Ray

You have more experience than anybody probally with the 496 than anybody here so thanks for the insight. It's something we are not familiar with so we turn the other direction. I have a 496 in my 2500 suburban that is getting close to 200,000 miles. Nothing but some oil changes. I am burning about 2 quarts every 3000 mile oil change. That kinda tells me they have low tension rings but I really do not know. The 502MPI could go the type of hours the 496 but with the reduced horsepower as the 496 (425HP) Its really a softer cam that causes the longer life. I think the 500&525EFI only has about .100 before coil bind. I was just wanting to relay what I have been finding so he knows what he's getting into. We appreciate the 496 input as well. We probally need to dig into these as you have to understand them better.

How does the 290 run with the 600??

How Much is that Doggie in the Window!
 

Thanks Guys. Not trying by any means to bash the Blue motors as they are excellent motors and since the 525, 600's and 700's have hit the market their performance, engineering and reliability speaks for itself. I was just pointing out that in today's tough economic times there are some other lower cost alternatives for the performance boating crowd.
Our Raylar complete HO525's sell currently for $21,960.00 and our complete HO600 with headers sells for $29,840.00.
For those who may be interested we have a custom paint Raylar HO600 with CMI exhaust, custom coil and ecm relocation kits and special polished billet pulley kit, oversize oil cooler and remote oil filter mounts. This engine has about twelve total hours including dyno time and its seriously for sale at $21,500!! This engine would price at over $34K so someones going to get a smoking deal with a warranty on a nice 625HP 89 pump gas motor!! Call me it won't last long at this price! We have to clean out the engine storage area and make room for this winter builds. (866) 496-8181

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

PS, the engine in my attached avatar is a twin for the special offering!

Well, your concerns are well founded....200 hrs. to replace the valvetrain is a joke on such an expensive motor. Where do we even start? First off the 60's designed heads with their big, low velocity ports have driven everyone to big lift cams to make these heads even start to work...the 400+ LBS spring rates just put the whole valve train at its limits. Smaller higher velocity ports don't require giant lift to work well and the requisite lower spring rates are going to add alot of hours and reliability to the motor. This is the secret to the 496/Rayler motors. There isn't any real technoligical leaps to the 496 (sure, some nice small improvements)...its the high velocity ports, sub 400# spring rates that keep the performance and reliability up. I am in the minority here I am sure, but the passing years have rendered the old iron rectangle port head obselete. You could take any modern 260-300cc intake head an easily make a better running more reliable 500hp. I would lean to the 496. Take Care, Dave