Merc 454 carb to 496 HO?
#11
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I made that engine change. The exhaust was a little tricky since the thru-hull dimension was different but it was worth it. The 496 added 100 HP to my boat and it's a much sweeter engine because of the EFI. Carbs are yesterday's technology.
You should consider picking up a mercury SmartCraft guage to go with that engine. It's easy to install, inexpensive and very useful.
You should consider picking up a mercury SmartCraft guage to go with that engine. It's easy to install, inexpensive and very useful.
#13
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I saw that 496/whipple on here in the classifieds. If you dont mind me asking what did you finally pick it up for?
Carbs are easier for folks that grew up with them, im a transmission tech that grew up in the efi era so its easy for me and the carb looks foreign to me lol. We already have a mercruiser scanner for my pops fastech so im not so worried about diagnosing issues.
Carbs are easier for folks that grew up with them, im a transmission tech that grew up in the efi era so its easy for me and the carb looks foreign to me lol. We already have a mercruiser scanner for my pops fastech so im not so worried about diagnosing issues.
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#15
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For you to convert your 330hp into something with 425+ horse would take some work. And to tear it down to base, get new heads, new accessories to keep it cool, new intake, new carb, new exhaust, and make that whole package work reliably......yada yada yada. Or, just drop in a proven merc engine with 425 hp?
Pull the 330hp, set it to the side, drop in your compolete 496, run it. When you sell the boat convert back and sell the 496 for near what you paid for it.
#18
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496
I have a 2400 VIP Vindicator that came with a 454 mpi, 310hp I think . Lasted 7 years. water leak in exhaust manifold killed it. Had it rebuilt. Ran 3 times and spun a bearing. Pulled it out and replaced with a low hour 496 HO 425 HP. Picked up 9 mph and thats with a 4 blade prop. Had a 3 blade before. Prob 2 more mph in it with a 3 blade. I do like the 4 blade for cruising.. I can stay on plane at around 18mph. Was like 24 before. Best thing is it was plug and play. Only thing I changed was the prop. The first time you you crank over the 496 and it fires up after only turning over a couple times, you will be sold on the efi. depending on the year 496 you buy, some can run a little rich. Its good idea to change the plugs every 2 -3 years or so due to this. Go ahead and change them before you drop the engine in. Also change out the water pump before installing in the boat. One big plus for you is your fuel consumption will be cut by 30-40 %.
Chris
Chris
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The 496 is done, nothing interchanges with it, that's why many people don't like it.
Is this for your PC? IMHO you're wasting a lot of resources messing with a perfectly good running engine. You'll put in a lot of effort to get 2-3mph.
Is this for your PC? IMHO you're wasting a lot of resources messing with a perfectly good running engine. You'll put in a lot of effort to get 2-3mph.