How much money are you actually willing / capable of spending on the engine? Figure out a REAL number of dollars and everyone can give you realistic guidance including me. I have been through three incremental upgrades starting with a stock 496HO and have made of plenty of expensive mistakes along the way. I have lessons I would be glad to share. Give a $ number so everyone can focus on what makes sense. The Velocity hull has a big pad that responds well to + hp.

Stainless Marine

Dig deeper. Check under the sofa cushions....

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNsH6FUaElQ&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]
Maybe I should stick it out another year...
I think I need a bigger, faster boat...

But $2000 is all I would be willing to go I can handle the work so just figuring part.. probably better off holding out and upgrading the boat and all....

I don't know what the cam and gasket set would cost and ECU flash. You might be able to do that for around $2,000 and at least get up to a 496 HO. That's if you do it yourself. Speed is expensive. Reliable speed is even more expensive (but cheaper in the long run). I put about 40g into my little Donzi. Combined with the purchase price of 55g that's around $95,000 in a 22' boat. I deserve it though . Again, don't waste money on the exhaust. Yours flows plenty good for up to 425 hp.

You don't need a bigger boat. You need bigger power and drive and steering if it isn't full hydraulic.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...-seperate.html

I missed your $1000-$2000 avaiulable expenditure estimate on first read. For that, upgrading to the 496HO seems the best bet. That is a cam and ECU upgrade. Look/advertise for a used 496HO cam on OSO or buy new. A new ECU is ~$1500but Dustin Whipple is licensed by Mercury (he is the only one so liscenced) to modify the Mercury PCM555 ECM program. His fee is $800. $400 of that goes to Mercury to unlock your ECU. I do not know for sure since I started with a 496HO but I would think he could reflash your ECU to a 498HO. Call him at Whipple Superchargers.

If you find extra dollars the Dana Flow Torque Exhaust will give you ~2x extra hp with wet exhaust on a 496HO for $2500. Their add says something like 47hp increase on the 496HO but that is with dry exhaust. The CMI Sport Tubes (~$5000) claim like 6x hp increase on the 496HO but that is also with dry exhaust. With wet exhaust the CMI's are only like ~5hp more than the Dana's. Google 'Full Throttle Marine' (Bob Lloyd's web site article 'Myth Busting') for the actual 496HO wet exhaust test data comparison of the Dana Torque Flow vs the CMI Sport Tube exhaust hp.

If you decide to spend more there are obviously other options.

SORRY I ALWAYS WRITE IN CAPS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INPUT. WELL THE ENGINE WORK WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL I GET THE BOAT PAID OFF. THE BOAT RUNS GREAT NOW SO I'LL JUST ENJOY IT FOR NOW

THEN ADD THE WHIPPLE

LOL!!! THAT IS GREAT