How do I get ~450hp out of Merc 454 -95 without getting too poor doing it?!

I have been thinking of some kind of supercharger but doesn't really know where to begin... What else do I have to change with the engine to get a supercharger to work?


Thanks,

Tomas

Give us what you have to work with. You can do this very easily with a 174 blower or work a small amount and do it N/A.

Is it a 7.4, 300 or 330 hp 454, or a 365 hp motor?

I'd like to know this too.
I've got a 454 365mag. No blower for me though.

Had a 174 B&M on a stock 330 that dynoed 450hp. Only thing changed were exhaust valves to inconel.

It really depends on your budget and if your starting with a mag motor or standard big block. If your starting with a std motor you might be better to sell it and start with a 502 mag (for the price difference between your old motor's value still running-1000-1500 $ and a long block 502-5200$ (4000$,) you probably would spend that much in exhaust,headwork etc and still have a tired cast piston,cast crank motor that can't take much abuse. Let us know your hours on motor,mag or std and your budget,Smitty

I did exactly what you did on my Scarab 21. I started with the 1991 454 Merc Bravo 330hp! The reason why I wanted to stay with the 454 vs. the 502 is I wanted to keep the blower under the engine hatch with no protrusions. The 174 would fit. I was aware that it had cast pistons and crank and not so great exhaust valves! I figured what do I have to lose, if I blow this one I haven't lost anything! I can still use the parts on a properly prepared engine! I installed the 174 on the bone stock motor. Updated to a blower carb that Teague custom marine tuned for a blower, added a Holley red electric fuel pump in addition to stock. Went to a full MSD ignition system! (If I did it again today I would have use the DUI ignition from performance distributors) Changed the prop, set the timing to a modest 28 degrees total advance and 5 psi of boost! RESULTS! Don’t know the horse powers gain, I did get an additional 12 mph on GPS! I was Happy! I ran it without a hitch for three years, and logged 226 hours on it without a problem! I only wanted a year or so! The final demise of the engine was a corroded Merc exhaust that led to a hydraulic lock! Which I didn't care because I had a new motor on the stand! I am sure I am leaving something out, if you have any concerns or questions please ask!


Bryan

bpine,it sounds like that worked out good for you,the 502 is identical to your 454 in external dimensions though so you wouldn't have had to worry about a engine hatch problem compared to your 330 hp motor.

Just glad to hear about those big block dimensions....
I was thinking of replacing the 396 in my Chevelle with a 540. I was very concerned about getting that thing in the engine compartment.

Donman,i was trying to clarify something to bpine because he said "i stayed with the 454 vs. the 502" because of engine hatch clearence? After re-reading his post i see he meant the 174 blower would clear (which would be too small for bigger motor).sorry to insult your intelligence,Smitty