Hello,
I have a 28heat sitting at Nordic waiting for a repower and havn't decided which way to go. Is it worth the extra money to do the 600 or the 525 and do a whipple setup later? Also any opinions on the its drive vs a regular xr with full hydraulic steering? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Aaron

Do the 600sci !

For about 1500.00 you can do the Whipple stage II upgrade, which consists of a reprogramed PCM, a smaller pulley, and an innercooler water re-route. This will net you about 750hp, and over 90 mph.

A stock 525 will get you about 74mph
A stock 600 with a 28 pitch Bravo prop will get you right at 80 mph.

There have been no indications that the ITS is any faster or more reliable. My boat has an IMCO SC with full hydraulic steering.

Chris

P.S. With a lot of time testing props and spacers, my boat has run a best of 94.1, with 91-92 being an everyday thing. My boat is an open bow.

Merc 600sci with a Stage II Whipple upgrade - All speeds are 2x GPS's

Thanks Chris,
I had pretty much decided on the 600 but just wanted some reassurance i was making the right decision. Do you know of any problems anyboady has had with the its? I have a closed bow and running at 5500ft stock at 65, not gps.

No proplems with the ITS that I know of.

Love my boat!

Chris

Welcome to the Nordic forum.

Lots of information and good guys here.

Chris

I've got an 05 closed bow heat with a 525 with its and xr drive. I used to have 1.50 gears set and ran a 28 pitch bravo. The boat ran very well with a best of about 77-78 gps. I have never experience any problems with anything other than the expected water pump. The ITS is a nice clean look. I have since swapped gears to 1.36 and picked up a tiny bit of speed. Best of 82 gps with a highly tuned 26 bravo. But a pretty solid 80. Keep in mind that I am at sea level and salt water (some say that makes a difference) but I wouldn't know because I've never run it in fresh water. As far as your repowering goes, I would go with as much power as possible. The 600 will get you a merc warranty. A 525 with whipple will get you Zero warranty. Have you considered a naturally asperated Illmore 710 and their new Indy drive? (More power/less weight) Best of luck with whatever you choose. The Heat is a great boat.

Mine is for sale if anyone is interested. Although it is not listed anywhere. Just putting it out there. If anyone is interested e-mail me at [email protected] for specifics.


Ray

thanks for the welcome chris. have been reading for a long time just never needed to post. Ray, thanks for the info. I had interest at one time with the ilmore, even came close to buying the 28 with the 710 at one time, but with me being landlocked and no where to get parts and service here and just being a merc fan, decided to upgrade mine. the ilmors look great though.