JMO, but I definitly think the +100 HP add to your 32 foot boat will definitly translate into what should be a 7-10MPH increase in speed and a considerably improved mid range acceleration and a lower rpm cruise speed which could net some fuel savings while still being able to run 87-89 octane fuel with the right reprogram on the ECM. At $5k that tranlates to about $50 per horsepower and in todays high performance marine world that ain't bad by any stretch. If you had bought the boat new with HO's the damage would have set you back somewhere between $9K-$12K with most builders. If and when you sell the boat I would definitly think the $5K will come back in the buyer who wants the HO's or better.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

If Bob L. is doing the work and you are doing the Whipple upgrades all for $5K for both motors then ignore my previous post and go for it!

Well, I think you guys have pretty much sold me! Ray, the speed you talk of sounds great! Just not sure how this big hull will react to more HP. My only concern is will this upgrade affect the reliability of these engines? I realize that even stock stuff breaks, I just can't at this point justify another $10K to fix one of these things. I just won't mention that to Paula (GF).:party-smiley-004: I'm having a snap on cockpit cover made next week, and getting new tires on the truck as well to prepare for the trip. Bob, as soon as I can lock down a date to come down, I will let you know. I'm trying to get this thing started before your spring rush begins (which may have already started) Oh yeah, Bob, Loren has been REALLY selling me on this trip as well. Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you to help me "decide"....:thankyouthankyou:

I measured one several years ago. I came out to 222/236 duration @ .050 and .496/.510 lift. LSA is around 116 the best I could calculate. Raylars 103 cam has a bit more lift and quite a bit more intake duration. He may chime in with specifics if he desires.

Bob Lloyd
Full Throttle Marine

If I remember correctly your boat runs right at 70. A 100 HP increase would put it around 74-75 under the same conditions.

Me and Loren have seen 74 on GPS. Not EVEN gonna try to get to you and Marc's level though!

As long as Whipple doesn't raise the rev limiter to some crazy RPM and you don't run with the throttles in the kitchen all day long your reliability should not be affected.

Where's the Limit?
 

I would like to comment here on the rev-limiter on stock 496's.
The valve springs (a bit light) and the heavy 3/8" stem stock steel valves in the stock iron heads definitly should have a rev-limit of about 5200 rpms max. for good reliability. When you upgrade a 496Mag to HO, the heads, block, etc. are all the same and the HO comes from Mercury with a 5150 rpm rev-limit which is good and safe as a rev-limit. Taking these stock valve train components above that 5150-5200 rpm limit is not really a smart thing to do unless the ECM reporgrammer is going to warranty your engine. If you upgrade your valve springs and retainers and such as many of our customers have done running our aluminjum heads then running the engine up to 5300-5500 rpms is much safer but as with any high performance engine when you push the RPM limits up you can lessen reliability especially if you tend to use a fair amount of high rpm usage and you stay at WOT for longer periods.
Just my fairly expierenced opinion.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

I'll have to try to keep them no farther than the laundry room! Besides, if I keep em in the kitchen too long, I'll be in the doghouse!(and poorhouse) Bob said the limiter would be set at 5100, which I don't think I will have to worry about with the 28s.

Thanks Ray, that is pretty much what Bob told me.