Which is the better motor ? Pros and cons how much can the internals take in both motors ?

All depends what budget and goals are... To me if starting fresh 502 is a no brainer...opens you up for much more down the road....

The 496 is a great motor in it's stock form, but the 502 has much better internal parts to allow for HP upgrades down the road. 502 all the way unless I got a great deal on a 496. It all depends on what you want to do with it,

Agree ^^^........forged internals in a mag engine & cast in a 96

Which is better, Bacon or Eggs? Same question......

So all the 502s have forged internals and the 496 mags don't ? Is there just lack of performance parts for the 496s that make them less desired or ?

Stock for stock is a toss up.

Re-sell (boats and cars vs just boats for the 496 )or upgrade - 502 hands down.

Yes,.................to make it easier, why don't you tell the group why your asking, instead of playing 20 questions, what are you trying to accomplish ??

502's are old school GM, solid internals, built to go the distance. Decent quality parts for an average use perf motor.

496's are new school GM, bankruptcy era, throw away motors. Ment to do duty in a pick-up truck running the roads at 1600 all day long. Don't get me wrong, they have their place, large family bow riders and pocket cruisers where a stressed day sees them doing a few minutes in the high 3000 range. Beyond that, put your money elsewhere. They may run a long, long, time so long as you do not press them too hard.