496 Az Speed intake?
 

I spoke with Az. Speed the other day and they said they have turned out some of there new intakes for the 496s. I don't suppose I would be lucky enough for one of those intakes to be an OSO member. Does anyone know anything about them, the intakes that is? They tell me they are making a good 100 hp with the kit, including the computer switch. My question for the wrench turners of OSO is will the bottom end of this engine like the added hp from this method any better than having a windmill on it? I am inclined to believe that hp is hp and it all puts a strain on things.

From what I have been told the short block on this engine is good with the exception that the pistons are not forged. However, 500 non blown hp on those should be ok.

I am surprised that you can get 25% or 100hp increase with just an intake change. From what I have been told the heads don't flow and there isn't much room left with valve lift before the valves kiss the pistons.

I hear different stories that don't add up. One shop will tell you the heads are ok and intake is limiting the HP. The other shop will tell you the intake is ok and the heads are limiting the HP. Seems like somebody is wrong here or they both need to be updated.

Not sure if it matters to you but I heard you have to pull the AZ Marine intake if you want to remove the valve covers.

Rick

Is this for the Mag (375 hp) or HO (425 hp) or both?

The same theory would apply to both as they are virtually the same other than the cam and these two versions are generally only seperated by 35 or so peak HP. :)

There are two other threads you'd be interested in. I don't know how to include the link, so here's where to find them.

The first is in this Tech Q&A forum titled "AZ Speed's L-18 intake conversion pkg for 496HO" and ran from 12/3 to 12/7/2003.

The second is in the General Boating Discussions forum titled "496Mag Performance Upgrade Results" that ran from 8/31 to 9/1/2003.

I seriously doubt like other OSO members that an intake change can net 100HP. Innovation had to completly rework (CNC) the heads, go to a much bigger cam& valve springs, change injectors, fuel pressure,change the fuel and spark tables in the ECM and use CMI headers to get to 525HP for the Factory boats. Study what has to be changed and moved on top of your 496 and you might have second thoughts!
The bottom end of the motor will take this change no problem, but if your going to a supercharger on this motor in a boat, change the Pistonas Marissa, hypereutectic cast jobs Heche in Mexico!
Raylar:D