Offshoreonly.com - Exhaust Headers / 525 Mercury Racing Engines

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Same problem with Merc 500EFI headers.

I had to buy 4 new headers, and rebuild both engines.

Not under warranty.

I thought 500efi's were ok.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glassdave (Post 3242621)

I assume we are talking about the 525 EFI headers. I have a pair of 525SC's that have the original headers but have never had any issues since new. Did and of these problems occur in the SC's headers? They are very similar. Just curious if i should be aware of anything. Anyone know if these were the same or different headers? Thanks all.

Thats right Dave, we are talking about the 525 efi headers. The 525sc used basically a standard E-top. They were fine. I have heard of a few that have cracked over the years, but nothing like the problems with the 525 efi's.

I agree that CMI is as much to blame as Merc. They should have either said NO, or come up with a way to make it last that would possibly still save some money. What kills me is that the 525 efi header is essentially a Sport Tube. They cost approx. $4500 from CMI. Merc gets like $8000 for the 525 efi headers that cost considerably less than the Sport Tubes to build. If you are going to charge that much, why can't you just build something that will last. Is 100% profit not enough?
I also agree that it is hard to say no to Merc. But as stated, integrity comes into play. I regularly turn work away that I am not comfortable with. I will not sacrifice my reputation for any amount of money, certainly not a few grand for an engine build. Although CMI made a bunch of money building the headers for Merc, how much have they lost because of the problems with the 525 headers? I know of several people that refused to buy CMI products anymore because of the 525 failures. It just left a bad taste in their mouth, even though the other headers from CMI were fine. I'm sure they haven't lost the amount of business from the public that they gained from Merc., but good business practices do not hinge on the law of averages.....at least not in my shop they don't.
Eddie

I would have to agree, I have turned paint jobs down when people say they just want a "quick cheap job". Not at the same level but I have always thought, who is going to know it was a "cheap quick job" ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by crb76 (Post 3242661)

I just my CMI back to the factory last month. They had 200 hours on them. CMI will test, seal, repair (if they can) and polish them out for you if you give them $150 per side plus shipping. It is cheap insurance. They can fix problems if the are just starting to develop. I hightly recomend it every 200 for the first check and 100 after that.

They come back like this!

Holy **** - that is a deal if you ask me....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix (Post 3242738)

In my business a "cheap quick job" means that it will fail, those customers who beat you down in price will be the first to besmirch your name when it fails.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix (Post 3242689)

I thought 500efi's were ok.

Not the ones in Formula 383

Is it just certain years of 525's that have the problem, or is it any 525's out there with CMI?
Thanks

So in review 496s spit the pistons out,and 525s due to poor quality headers dump water into the cylinders.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoFastScott (Post 3242807)

Is it just certain years of 525's that have the problem, or is it any 525's out there with CMI?
Thanks

Any 525 with CMI.