540ci 700hp build recipe
#41
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From: Chicago, IL; Onekama, MI
#42
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From: NW Michigan
Endevour32 did on his way back to IL. He snapped a pic of back of your boat and sent via tx. Needless to say I didn't need to ask who's boat it was. Grand Haven was my original boating stomping grounds. That was over 20 years ago and crazy then. Can't imagine what it's like now a days. Much faster boats and more skin I bet. Lol.
#43
You wont get there with mpi intake but sounds like you pretty much decided its going anyways.IF you have mefi 3 efi and somone who can tune it no reason you cant use the harness and ecu on a real aggressive intake and make 700hp w a 540 bottom end. Im still debating myself what NA motors im building next for my scarab, most likely mefi3 harness/ecus on aftermarket intaked on 540s. Going to play w 500efi intakes and see where i can get them but i know its going to come up short. Going to dyno it to death in search for big numbers when i do it, Smitty
#45
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From: Chicago, IL; Onekama, MI
#46
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From: chicago
That canal st marina is pretty decent setup for trailer boating. Theres not a whole lot in the city for that kind of storage
#48
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From: On A Dirt Floor
#49
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From: Charlotte, NC
I have searched and searched and every thread seems to be an argument about what parts to use and which are junk. I am looking to build an n/a 700hp 540 this winter (changed my mind on the procharger) and I am looking for a good recipe to build off. I already have a 741 cam which I plan to use. Other than that I have a 502 MPI with very low (under 30 hours) that I don't trust because of some issues I have had, so I am building again this winter I like EFI... But will prob switch to carb if it is easier and more cost effective. Any help would be great! If anybody needs a 1000hp diesel.... I can help with that! Just not sure on exact parts and specs on the gas side yet... But learning quick! Please just post combos that will get me close to my HP goal, I prefer good parts... As this is hopfully the last time I have to build a motor until I have my "dream" boat
Don't by a Holley system yourself unless your prepared to tune it yourself. Leave that to the pros, thats what we pay them for.
My advise.............sell everything you have, pick a builder, and let them decide what to use, instead of trying to make this cam work with that head, and then that intake. Save you a lot of sleep, money and headaches. Turn key engine with EFI will be north of 25K
#50
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: NW Michigan
Just had a 540 EFI built making 720HP @ 6000 Dyno sheet and video of pull on my Sleeper thread. Everything new, from the Merlin III block to the 320CC Pro Filer Heads. Holley EFI complete system. Everything first class by Mark @ M E R Performance Marine.
Don't by a Holley system yourself unless your prepared to tune it yourself. Leave that to the pros, thats what we pay them for.
My advise.............sell everything you have, pick a builder, and let them decide what to use, instead of trying to make this cam work with that head, and then that intake. Save you a lot of sleep, money and headaches. Turn key engine with EFI will be north of 25K
Don't by a Holley system yourself unless your prepared to tune it yourself. Leave that to the pros, thats what we pay them for.
My advise.............sell everything you have, pick a builder, and let them decide what to use, instead of trying to make this cam work with that head, and then that intake. Save you a lot of sleep, money and headaches. Turn key engine with EFI will be north of 25K
Your so very right but not everyone can drop 25k plus on builds. With that said if piece mealing it together with this and that and end up making combo changes to achieve your goals that can get expensive also. All depends on self knowledge as well as the trust in others in regards to what works and what doesn't. Common sense can go a long ways.
700 hp can be achieved fairly easily out of a 540 with good internals at half the price.
Last edited by getrdunn; 08-01-2016 at 04:36 PM.


