502 Build??? Need advice!!!
#13
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You should be able to make approx. 550 using the 502 mag intake. The 500 efi intake is a better unit to start with, but you can use the 502 mag intake, although you will give up a little power. I would add some cubic inches if the bottom end needs to be freshened up. You can take it to a 516 or 524 very easily. This will still leave plenty room for future rebuilds. If you don't have to freshen the bottom end, then a cam change, increase in comp. ratio, some head and intake work, and programming will get you 525 - 550hp. If you do the bottom end and increase the inches, then you can make 550+hp.
On the other hand, if you change the intake to something like the Holley setup, then you can make 575+ with cast iron heads and well over 600hp with aluminum heads. I really like Holleys efi setup and use it often. It is a single plane intake with injector bosses casted into the intake, 2000 cfm throttle body, injectors, rails, etc. It runs around $2500 (without electronics) and is worth every penny. This will also be a great platform for future upgrades. I have made almost 800 hp with this setup on a 598.
Bottom line....you will be able to make more power if you go through the bottom end and increase the cubic inches. I still think we can get real close to your goal without doing that. It all depends on how much time is on the engine. Give me a shout if you have any more questions or if I can help in any way. Thanks.
Eddie
Here are a few pics of the Holley setup on a 540 with aluminum heads. This one made 701 hp.
You should be able to make approx. 550 using the 502 mag intake. The 500 efi intake is a better unit to start with, but you can use the 502 mag intake, although you will give up a little power. I would add some cubic inches if the bottom end needs to be freshened up. You can take it to a 516 or 524 very easily. This will still leave plenty room for future rebuilds. If you don't have to freshen the bottom end, then a cam change, increase in comp. ratio, some head and intake work, and programming will get you 525 - 550hp. If you do the bottom end and increase the inches, then you can make 550+hp.
On the other hand, if you change the intake to something like the Holley setup, then you can make 575+ with cast iron heads and well over 600hp with aluminum heads. I really like Holleys efi setup and use it often. It is a single plane intake with injector bosses casted into the intake, 2000 cfm throttle body, injectors, rails, etc. It runs around $2500 (without electronics) and is worth every penny. This will also be a great platform for future upgrades. I have made almost 800 hp with this setup on a 598.
Bottom line....you will be able to make more power if you go through the bottom end and increase the cubic inches. I still think we can get real close to your goal without doing that. It all depends on how much time is on the engine. Give me a shout if you have any more questions or if I can help in any way. Thanks.
Eddie
Here are a few pics of the Holley setup on a 540 with aluminum heads. This one made 701 hp.
#16
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I am curious about the electronics for the Holley EFI setup. Can the Merc box be reprogrammed, or do you need to change over to a MSD (or other) unit? Also, what about exhaust - at what point does the stock Merc exhaust become a limiting factor?
#17
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As far as the exhaust, the stock setup becomes a restriction on any thing other than a stock engine. On some stock engines, they are already a restriction. I am referring to the stock manifolds. If you have a 500 or 525 with CMI's, then that is a different story.
Eddie
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You should be able to make approx. 550 using the 502 mag intake. The 500 efi intake is a better unit to start with, but you can use the 502 mag intake, although you will give up a little power. I would add some cubic inches if the bottom end needs to be freshened up. You can take it to a 516 or 524 very easily. This will still leave plenty room for future rebuilds. If you don't have to freshen the bottom end, then a cam change, increase in comp. ratio, some head and intake work, and programming will get you 525 - 550hp. If you do the bottom end and increase the inches, then you can make 550+hp.
On the other hand, if you change the intake to something like the Holley setup, then you can make 575+ with cast iron heads and well over 600hp with aluminum heads. I really like Holleys efi setup and use it often. It is a single plane intake with injector bosses casted into the intake, 2000 cfm throttle body, injectors, rails, etc. It runs around $2500 (without electronics) and is worth every penny. This will also be a great platform for future upgrades. I have made almost 800 hp with this setup on a 598.
Bottom line....you will be able to make more power if you go through the bottom end and increase the cubic inches. I still think we can get real close to your goal without doing that. It all depends on how much time is on the engine. Give me a shout if you have any more questions or if I can help in any way. Thanks.
Eddie
Here are a few pics of the Holley setup on a 540 with aluminum heads. This one made 701 hp.
You should be able to make approx. 550 using the 502 mag intake. The 500 efi intake is a better unit to start with, but you can use the 502 mag intake, although you will give up a little power. I would add some cubic inches if the bottom end needs to be freshened up. You can take it to a 516 or 524 very easily. This will still leave plenty room for future rebuilds. If you don't have to freshen the bottom end, then a cam change, increase in comp. ratio, some head and intake work, and programming will get you 525 - 550hp. If you do the bottom end and increase the inches, then you can make 550+hp.
On the other hand, if you change the intake to something like the Holley setup, then you can make 575+ with cast iron heads and well over 600hp with aluminum heads. I really like Holleys efi setup and use it often. It is a single plane intake with injector bosses casted into the intake, 2000 cfm throttle body, injectors, rails, etc. It runs around $2500 (without electronics) and is worth every penny. This will also be a great platform for future upgrades. I have made almost 800 hp with this setup on a 598.
Bottom line....you will be able to make more power if you go through the bottom end and increase the cubic inches. I still think we can get real close to your goal without doing that. It all depends on how much time is on the engine. Give me a shout if you have any more questions or if I can help in any way. Thanks.
Eddie
Here are a few pics of the Holley setup on a 540 with aluminum heads. This one made 701 hp.
I am going the route described by Eddie. I am turning a 509 into a 540 (melted a piston) and will be getting the Holley intake and using my MEFI4. I have to say that working with Eddie has been great and he is very meticulous about building a motor which will be rock solid. If your looking for a builder then he is the guy.
Shane
#20
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Uh.....yes.
The Mefi (1,2 and 3) was used by Merc. for a long time.(10 years or more). Merc. never did use a Mefi 4. I think that Volvo and maybe Indmar or someone else may have used it, but Merc. never did. MSD does sell a Mefi 4. It is the same one that I use, except I do not get it from MSD. There are several versions of the Mefi 4. (4, 4A, 4B, 4C) Most people use the 4B.
Eddie
The Mefi (1,2 and 3) was used by Merc. for a long time.(10 years or more). Merc. never did use a Mefi 4. I think that Volvo and maybe Indmar or someone else may have used it, but Merc. never did. MSD does sell a Mefi 4. It is the same one that I use, except I do not get it from MSD. There are several versions of the Mefi 4. (4, 4A, 4B, 4C) Most people use the 4B.
Eddie