Just Think After All The Money Is Spent On The Motors From 540,s To Exhaust To Dyno Time Now In The Boat For The First Ride.just Remember To Leave Enough For Money Seatow If You Have Bravo Drives.

Standard will be just fine. Heck, my motor is a plain jane 502 block and it's holding up just fine.

For the guys that swapped to tall decks, did you have to redrill your engine mounts and modfey your transom for the exhaust?

I'm going to run a stock block for a couple years in my new 28 and then might jump up to a tall deck, so I'm interestd in the required modifications...

Thanks

Standard blocks are fine for a mild build up. You need big cubic inches to go upwards of 700+ HP N/A and thats when you need tall decks.

I am in the process of building a standard deck 540. I used Lunati Pro Mod 6.385" rods in a Dart Big "M" block. I wanted to go with a tall deck, but didn't want to run into alignment problems with the exhaust system.

the biggest diference in 9.800" DH & 10.200"DH is as everyone knows .400". that being said, most people thinks it is rod angle, but that all depends on rod length and piston comp. height. the rod and piston doesnt know which dh block its in. you can put a 6.535" (+ .400") rod and a piston with a ch of 1.120 in a short deck or 9.800" block and have good rod ratio or rod angle. only difference is pistons and rods are not as common. not too long ago those parts were not available. the real question here should be rod ratio and piston speed. I have built many 540's in both blocks making 700 plus horse drag eng's. even though i know drag eng's and marine eng's are not the same thing , dont think that those engines dont get run hard 8,000 rpm down a 1/4 mile is hard on them. wich is about what we put them throug on the Dyno . Have got longevity out of both deck hieghts. more than 600 passes, no wear on skirts. just my 2 cents KR

If your are going to build a 540ci and only spin it 5,500 making 650hp a short deck will givegood life with good parts in it. but if you decide to go to a tall deck block you should either make a 572ci. or 604ci. the price is not much differnt and get the most for your money and get good longivetyat the same time.