Mercruiser 350 cam selection
 

I have a 2000-2002, not sure of the exact year due to the missing serial tag, 350 MAG MPI. I have the top end torn down to replace the head gaskets, intake manifold, timing chain, and have a valve job done. While I have it torn apart, would it be worth it to replace the camshaft and if so what should I go with over the Mercruiser OEM? I’m only asking because I have it this far apart already and wouldn’t mind a little more power, be it out of the hole or on the top end. I have bortech heads with 1.6 full roller rockers. Pros and cons?

Gains would be so minimal you wouldn’t see or feel it.

I thought that may be the case. Thank you

So you are going to 1.6 ratio rockers?? That will be similar to going with slightly larger cam. Will probably add 5-10hp or so.
For that minimal change, you should be ok with the stock ecm tune. Cam swap would need a retune of the ecm and any decent size cam will require an exhaust upgrade.

yes to the rockers and thanks for the advice on the tune.

Check what your final lift is, the stock springs are limited to .480” lift if I remember right. I believe it was comp who made some springs they called beehive that would do more without any machine work on the heads.

It's a shame super chargers are so expensive, else I'd slap 2 on my boat (twin 350s).

While you've got it torn that far down and if you have a the budget, new heads coupled with a cam would definitely be a nice addition I would imagine.

I really don’t have the funds for new heads. Thanks.

Are the stock heads vortex and do they have inconel exhaust valves?

They are stock vortec heads. Not sure which valves are in them.

reportedly pocket porting on the exhaust is worth 20-25 hp and you can do that yourself.

Ive heard that but too nervous to attempt it on my own. Have never tried that before.

On a cast iron head nothing happens fast , trust me you'll be most of a day with the grinder. You're not really reshaping just cleaning up some material the accountants told the engineers to not worry about. Go to a machine shop and get a cracked cylinder head and give it a shot.

for a cam,,you need the tried and true........wait for it


3/4 race cam,,it fixes everything.:D

and a tunnel ram w/ 2 dominators

Sorry to the OP, many of us are retarded and get worse during the winter. :)

Here is one if several threads on subject:
https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...upgrade-2.html

You will need minimum better valves springs and pcm programming.

If your boat is heavy and slow, this may not be worth it. If boat is already quick , you will see some gains.