Thanks for the extra effort LP. Can you clarify, or maybe someone can, what turbulators are in the exhaust manifold or why you might remove them?

They are there to collect condensation and then burn it off. Merc puts them there for a reason.
Some think it adds enough perfomance gain to remove them. Not remotely enough at all IMO to risk the end result of not having them where they are designed to be given their function.

The turbulators are small little restrictors that are placed between the manifold and riser. From what I understand they are to catch and burn off condensation before it can make it's way back into the heads...... They are not to protect against reversion. Not sure if they make a difference or not. It has been discussed in great detail through out the forum.........

There are PLENTY of other Merc Motors that don't have these at all. I am sure if your boat sat in the water all of the time and never got started, condensation would be an issue. However I boat in fresh water, seldom leave my boat in the water. Not to mention the boat is used on average 2-3 a week..... So far so good.

Are you sure you have the correct Amp batteries in the boat? If not the computer goes into gaurdian mode & you will run rich.... just trying to be helpful....

How would the ecm know what the amps are on the battery all it wants to see is that it has 11 to 12 volts to turn on and run

Not sure it matters to the ECM...those 496's needed (required in the owners manual) 1000 cranking amp batteries or they would get a low voltage fault & go into guardian mode.... happened to me... manufacturer put an 800 Amp battery in & I spent a summer trying to figure out the soot problem... dealer told me its the battery... i thought it was a joke... but one new battery later & no soot.... just sayin...

I have 2 group 31 and 1 Group 27 batteries in the boat. That are charged daily on shore power. I have enough cranking power in my boat for most of the marine....

Jay, can you find out if he did that through a dealer or directly with Merc. Mine need to be done to and Merc is not far from me where I could drive there, if that is possible.

Not sure I can buy this. Sure, cranking might put a slight bit more soot, but running, the batteries are not making the juice, the alternators are. I have two Interstate 800s on my twin 496 Victory and the soot is no worse than my single 496 Crownline I had.

I can tell you, I originally called Merc, and they told me I could NOT send the PCM to them. It all had to be handled thru an authorized Merc Mechanic. (This was before I decided to go the whipple route)