502 vs HP500
 

Considering a couple of boats. Same yr, hours, make and models, only difference is the motors. Besides the obvious WOW factor, top end speed (78 vs 84 mph), and more $$ for the 500's, what is the opinion between the 2? BTW, 78mph is fine for most of our use.
Looking mainly for the turnkey, reliability, user friendly, never have to tinker with issues. My guess the 502EFI has the edge there.
What kind of fuel economy differences would there be if both were driving the same for an even comparison? How much difference as far as take off and throttle response at cruising speeds?
I guess my main question is,
Is the 500 worth the extra cha ching if the 502's meet your requirements?
Thanks,
Jerry

Depending on how much additioanal ching, I would go with the 500s. Typically the higher top end will get you a higher cruise speed capability, which is nice.

My .02

BT :cool:

I have read your posts and talked to you from time to time over the last couple years and you just don't seem like the guy that will be able to leave anything stock alone.
Spend the extra coin :D :D
Actually after reading your post it almost seems like it was someone else using your screen name :eek:

Scott, that's the problem. I "think" I'm ready to leave it alone. :)

Heading to the Louisville boat show in a bit, maybe I'll look at canoes or flat bottom fishing boats.

Spend the money now and save yourself more money later. Once you have the 502's it will most likely cost much more to upgrade them later. I also suspect you will be happier with the boat overall with 500EFIs.

500EFI's or HP500's?
How much extra is it gonna take to get the same boat with the 500's?

Resale is typically better for 500's but if the boat runs 78 with 502EFI's then that's no slouch either.

Are they 500 carb motors or EFI? CMI or Gil exhuasts? Thats worth some loot right there and Carb s will give you more options down the road. Easier to rework and your getting 6 mph and about 50 more hp now. Whats the diff in price? If its no more then a few thou I say go for the 500's.
And you know youll be in them motors next winter!!!

Dan

It is not just a horsepower issue. The torque is far greater on an HP500 and the setup is far more robust. If you burn the lightbulb at the hottest setting in either case both will eventually fail. On the hand, the HP500 wont need to work as hard to achieve its goal so if you want to cruise at 65 it should be easier. The 500 will also turn a bigger prop and hence even more efficiency at cruise. In either case, if you wanna raise hell, bring on another thousand. BOAT!!!

Both motors share what is essentially the same rotating assembly. Same measure of mechanical robustness.

HP does include roller rockers, whereas 502EFI does not.

BUT on flipside, HP uses higher lift cam that is harder on valvesprings.

Robustness in the form of "component reliability" probably leans the tiniest bit towards the 502EFI.

With that said, if the money difference between the two were reasonable, I would buy the HP500 and never look back.

Oops, kinda forgot about this post.
The motors are carbed HP500's. Around the 10k mark in difference. I don't know, them blue motors sure are purty! :) But will the difference now in price still be there in a few yrs, or will it come to very little difference?

Mike, would this reversion problem still be a condition with a 2-3 yr old motor? Or has there been a cam change? There are a chit load of these 502mags out there. Hate to think it is a problem with all of them. Thanks

Has any one else had a problem with reversion on a stock 502 mpi??? I have never heard of it, I know of 502's with 600 hours still running strong. I have heard alot of 500 hp's with reversion

I have 502 mags - carb that are 11 years old with no reversion problems.

I also had a 454 EFI Mag with the same manifold - no problems

Steve

500
 

Didn't the carb 500s have a situation with valve springs??? Something like the inner spring breaking..

And- 500s had a nasty reversion issue too.

I'd go with the EFI motors for the sake of these damn no wake zones.

I have bone stock 502 mags '99s.. Manifolds seem OK, but I do plan on changing them to CMIs, etc when I can find the 6k that I need.

My 28 Pantera with the twin 502 mags, and 26" four blades runs 81 at the rev limiter..

78 is damn fast in anything. Now you just need to find water that will allow you to run that fast.

What kind of boat is it?????

502EFI or HP 500
 

I would go for the HP 500.

But along with that decision comes increased maintenance. The higher lift cam may require lifter and spring change in about 250 hrs whereas the stock motor is probably good for twice that.

There may be a few other things with less service life as well.

I would go for it.

Fountain, what else ;)
Guess I should have also mentioned that this is twins, so twice the maintance $$

The 500's in the boat I'm thinking about has the higher arch Gil risers, so no chance of reversion. Yes, I'm aware of the spring issues, not sure if these '99 motors are in that group.
Though call!

Thanks for all the help, now, float some $$ this way. ;) ;)