496 CA. emissions
 

My boat has twin 496Ho's and they say they meet CA. emissions. Can I have the computers reprogramed with a more relaxed flash to get more power out of them now that the boat is on the east coast ?

Scarab29, I had twin 496 Mags and they too said CA emission compliant. I recently had them upgraded to HOs and had the ECMs upgraded to a Whipple stage 1 flash. Not sure, but I don't think there is any noticable difference in the CA emissions and others for this year model engine.

i didn't know there were ANY emissions specs for marine engines. are you sure those aren't over the road vehicle emissions specs? if so, you need cams at the very least.

They are marine engines, I called Merc and I was told there is no differance with CA and any other. 425hp is all they offer

Merc 496 Mag and 496HO marine engines built and delivered before 2009 were all 3 star emissions compliant non-catalyst engines anywhere in the USA and Canada. After that the versions ordered and shipped to builders in California only had to be CARB and 5 star compliant and had catalyst exhaust emmissions systems on them. During the period 2000 to mid 2010 the 496's sold to builders in all other 49 states were still just 3 star non-catalyst equipped engines for emissions ratings. There were a few 496's in late 2009 and 2010 that were shipped to builders in all states for new EPA requirements, with the 5 star catalyst equipped emmision systems until the new 502mag and 502HO catalyst emissions equipped versions were ready and replaced the 496's all together. Now all builders using exisitng 496's or the new 502 engines must use catalyst equpped 5 star compliant engines with the new OBD-M emmision systems.

Don't even ask what is OBD-M, it's so dam complicated to troubleshoot, scan and service that once a lot of these new engines are out there in customers hands and they start having problems (which believe me they will!) and warranty issues arise with marine dealers and warranty shops, excuse the expression , but the SH*T IS GONNA HIT THE FAN! :hitfan:

You want something complicated, over designed, inefficent, and expensive, get the EPA involved!

My god we all realize how much the millions and millions of performance boats pollute our atmoshere, don't we !! :poopoo:

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Thanks for the info

the most feared words in the english lanquage
"I am from the government, I am here to help you"