Offshoreonly.com - New Merc 540 replacement engine

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You're not seeing their side of it- sales. A 550 HP 540 would undercut their 525 sales and it's much larger price tag. Also, is 550 reliable in front of a bravo? Not really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole2534 (Post 4194467)

You're not seeing their side of it- sales. A 550 HP 540 would undercut their 525 sales and it's much larger price tag. Also, is 550 reliable in front of a bravo? Not really.

Merc puts the XR behind their 600.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Force (Post 4194438)

My 540's are .030 over (548CI) with extremely mild cams and aluminum heads made cob=coservative 600 hp 660TQ, how can any 540 be only 440 hp? even with stock iron heads would have to make 550 plus and still be reliable.

Didn't see the specs for the cam. Since they are running the same stock GM heads, I am wondering if they are also running the same wimpy cam that they have in their magnum engines. That would also explain the stamped steel rocker arms. I had actually considered building a 489 stroker like this, and everyone on this forum told my I was crazy. :p ;)