I wasn't aware big blocks could fit into a Formula 292. I don't think you get the choice, but I could be wrong.

Thank you for questioning my wisdom

I never really went through the parts list to compare BB vs SB options. I just assumed that sense most performance marine shops use big blocks and not small blocks then there would be more marine high performance options, but I'm really not sure. I think there are probobly just as many options for 350's as other BBC, but I doubt the same could be said for 6.2's or 383's. Maybe I'm wrong.

To be more specific. If I'm trying to get to 500HP IMO there are more cheaper options for a BB. I could upgrade heads, or just port the heads. I could just add a cam. I could do both or just one. With SBC your getting into supercharges, cam, and heads for that kind of HP. Then your left with a not so reliable package. Simply put, for a SBC it takes more high performance part$ to get the same power out of a stock BBC and there is virtually no cost savings in going SBC.

[b]The 6.2 or 383 is no different phisically from the 350, other than bore and stroke . 6.2 has two piece intake with throttle body facing upwards .Remove the intake and ECM 555 , put an Edelbrock intake and carb on it ,and you're back to basics , ready to do any mods you want .

Btw , my boat was even more azz heavy when it had diesels [swimgrid was level with the water] , but had more room between the engines,lol.



Was still running high off the water though ,thanks to the V pad bottom.

383s are 350s stroked.
still to get 500hp on a big block your gunna be upgrading heads cam intake and carb.
You can get small blocks naturally aspirated in teh 700-800hp range probably more on some of the 427 and 454 strokers.
You can buy over 500hp crate small blocks for around $6000 show me a big block crate with that much hp for that price or a big block crate period for that price.
I will say that the big block is more reliable.
If you already have a big block and want to get power out of it it would be cheaper if you didn't have to get into the bottom end. Then again would a stock big block bottom end even really hold up to the power that well? Specially if you have a non forged engine
But if you got nothing to start with a small block is cheaper.
Everyone talks like the big blocks are cheaper then show me some prices on parts and crate engines thats right it can't be done.

You're correct, the newer 292 is only available with twin small blocks. I was referring to the benefit of more room to work around small blocks in a boat of similar size (beam) to mine.

IMO another plus of the sbc is the fact that it has undergone a major redesign in 1997 with the LS platform using the latest technology relative to air flow, variable cam timing, emissions and other improvements. The bbc has not. I think when comparing naturally aspirated engines (of similar ci) pound for pound over the rpm range the torque/HP of a properly prepared LS sbc is very hard to beat. They just need to come down in price, which will happen eventually.

Texoma and others are giving sound advice.

"I still don't get where people think there is alot more upgrade options for big blocks please explain this to me."

Because for marine purposes there is- go look for a set of marine headers. You'll come to the same conclusion. IF you are looking at Automotive stuff then no there isnt.

"Another thing wouldn't you want your max torque closer to the max rpm you will be running so you have the most power there to carry the boat the fastest?"

No you want as much low end torque as you can get - period. You have the get the boat on plane up and going.


SO your advice to the poster is to repower with small blocks? - Really?

I already showed a pict of my 500 HP small block boat in an earlier post and when I was done I spent more- to get there than when I powered it with a junkyard 454 rebuild with a moderate cam and used set of Brodix aluminum heads that had been repaired - and an el cheapo gil exhaust manifold.

I think the SB is cooler and get enormous giggles from putting BBC guys on the trailer, but I didnt save any money. I paid more for 500 RELIABLE HP from the SBC.

6K ? - sure you can buy an AUTOMOTIVE set up crate engine that makes 500HP (on long tube headers on a dyno) but set it up with a wet exhaust and that same small block will have reversion problems and suck the water into the engine because you have to cam it harder than the same CI big block to get it there, and that also 6K plus an exhaust manifold plus accessories. These parts are just as expensive for a SB as a bb new- and are like hens teeth to find used. Its the availability of the few critical parts that makes the difference.

Torque moves the boat not HP and the bb heads have it all over the small block thats where the money goes stock cast crank and rods hold 5-600hp easily on either-has for me for a decade... you need to spend the money on the heads.

A 7-800 hp small block ????
A 7-8 hundred HP small block is going to cost around 40-45K
Tyler Crockett shows one on this very site.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...all-block.html

You think you can do it cheaper than Tyler?

Price out one of these uber cool mills then price an upgrade kit from the same guys on a used take out big block - big block wins.

http://www.raylarengine.com/550_engine.html

This SB is flat out awesome- its just not really cheaper when you are done.

Before you ask us to document what we already know from experience Do you have any pictures of YOUR 500 HP marine small block set up to show us so that we can see you have done it before? Heres mine again- Its so fast I had to upgrade to external steering and actually put a Mercury ITS on a 21 ft boat.


Uncle Dave

nascar runs small blocks less then 368CI in the 7-800hp range.
If you really wanted to you could run longer marine headers couldn't you to avoid reversion.
I have been looking for marine exhuasts to get an idea and have yet to see big block exhausts cheaper then a small block one new anywhere.
I wasn't sure about the stock BBC bottom end
I wouldn't want to run 7-800hp in a small block im just saying its done everyday
For $8400 we can get a small block with over 600hp yes that us automotive but I bet by the time you run it through the wet exhaust your still over 500.
Wouldn't having the peak torque closer to the rpm your running your boat at be better? More power in the top end for any engine?
Lets look at marine BB prices
525EFI $33,720
600SCI $47,387
850SCI $88,000

I don't know how the rest of you feel but it seems to me like everything marine is so much more expensive in general. I feel like they take advantage of people in the boat world with the price of some stuff. I don't mean engines I just mean everything.

Uncle Dave I love that bottom pic

Hey! Where can I get one of those 600 HP small blocks for $840.00?!

LOL sorry that was $8400 ill edit