I want to check out a 1997 28 Pantera. 496 Mag HO... Was this the standard power for this boat and what kinda performance should I expect from that package with a Bravo I?

It is a re-power. Top speed will be in the low to mid 60s.

Looking at the one in South Joisey, I am guessing? Looks decent for the coin as long as your not a speed freak.

That is the one I may look at. I thought that was where it would be with that power. Is the 496 a 454 with a stroker kit or could i get more out of the 496 down the road? I would like to se that boat in the mid to upper 70's and what kinda power would it take? Is the 496 a good motor for any upgrades?

if it the one i think it is not a 454 stroked i know Raylar do some upgrades for that motor head,ECM ,allso wipple supercharers do a kit should get you the the low to mid 70s have two of them motors in my 28 pantera sem like good motors to me? good luck with your search for a 28 patera re paul

Bore size on the 496 is larger. The internals on the 496s are cast and arguably not a good platform to build big HP on. The Raylar kits are a potential option, although again, without upgrading the internals there have reportedly been some failures. Mid to upper 70s will require at a minimum 600hp depending on set-up. As a baseline a Blue factory stock 500HP 28 would run right around 70

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/p...0s-single.html

Has a good amount of info about HP and speeds.

You'd probably be lucky to hit 60-61mph with a 496ho.

Its only 45 HP down from an HP500 which will run right at the 70 mark. I dont think that translates to a 9-10 mph loss?

About the only person that can hit 70 with an hp500 is Jo in perfect conditions and that is on much newer hulls that are a little lighter. In my 1996 28 I used to see about 68 with my hopped up 525SC that was making around 550hp/520 at the prop. People with 650hp are seeing about 75mph.

Mid to upper 70's will take 650 HP. I run 79 MPH with 650 HP in a 2003 28 foot hull.