Yep

We're on the same page, that's why it's Gospel!!!

I've got a couple of leads on the next one......

502's can be a little limited as far as parts go, Stage 1 engine will get you about another 50 HP, and procharger setup can turn up to 750-800 HP, go from 26P Bravo 1 Prop to 36P Bravo 1 Prop (delta prop stocks these for around $500), topped out at 107 MPH, if that's not enough, look at a modified 509-race ready (550 HP on the Motor) or a modified 540-race ready (600 HP on the motor), each are procharged-ready and can turn 1200 HP closing on 150 MPH, then there's crazy-stupid through Mercury-Racing and their new 9 Liter Quad-Cam Twin-Turbo with a Dry-Sump Six Sterndrive-1650 HP (2.2/1 Gearing & a 40P 6-Blade Clever Prop) . . . this setup clocked 218 MPH on radar in South Miami on a Powerquest 280 Silencer, this hull held it structural integrity at that speed, over 30' it started to buckle & crack, the 280 is the best, this is a similar setup to the Fountain 27 Fever, but the 29 Fever doesn't plane anywhere near the same as the Fever 27, Fountain Fever peaks at 27", Powerquest peaks at 28', bigger isn't always better.

The earlier 280's (2000 and earlier) responded well to a ½" to 1" spacer (depending on how a particular boat was set up). This is because PQ was playing around with different X-dimensions. The later year boats has the X-dim pretty dialed in.

You will get the best performance with a Bravo 1 labbed 26p prop. Mine consistently would run 66-67 with a one time max speed of 68.9 (all speeds Gps). The fastest prop was a hydromotive Q-IV 24 pitch. It would easily hit 68 all the time, but it had lots of stern lift and I didn't care for how the boat ran with any type of chop - smooth water was odd, but ok. My boat did not respond well to a spacer, but my buddies (Rogman on OSO) responded VERY well to a 1" spacer. Made it feel like a completely different boat.

I had a 2000 280 with a 502. Loved that boat!! I tried SO many props. I had highly detailed prop water test sheets at one time, but can't put my hands on them. But get a Bblades labbed 26 B1 and you'll have the best prop for the boat.

Not sure a spacer would work for you. I got to know a lot of the folks at PQ VERY well when I had my 280 & 340 and they believed the '01 and above 289's had the best x-dim. (They also got the '02+ 380 bottoms dialed in around same time).

If you want a few mph more, the 496 does respond well to headers. Good luck with the new boat, looks great and the 280's are great boats!

Thanks for the info BillR. I did get a 26p Bravo, but haven't had it labbed yet. Glad to hear that I probably don't need a spacer since my boat is an '02.
I thought about ordering a set of Dana Marine 496 headers, and started another thread asking for advice and first hand experience with headers on a 496, but everyone said they would be a waste of money(although most of the replies weren't from people who had actually installed headers on their 496's).
Can't wait to get her out of storage and start playin'.

I researched quite a bit on headers for the 496. The net of what I read was that the Dana units are best bang for the buck. But also learned that the aluminum 496 manifolds are pretty damn good....they later changed to iron and they allegedly don't flow as well as aluminum.

Dunno, just sharing what I read.

What? You need some meds or something. 218 in a 280 silencer? Get real.

502s can be limited as far as parts go? Bwahaahahhhaaa!!!! Thats funny $hit!

I was wondering if anyone else caught that. Besides the ridiculous speed, that post had nothing to do with the rest of the thread.

pics would help...

Well, got the boat out after a long winter and have been testing some props. Here is what I've found so far.

stock Hydromotive 22 QIVX : 31mph @ 3500 rpm, 60mph @ 5100 rpm (planed slow, horrible cruise, slips bad)
stock Hydromotive 24 P5X: 40mph @ 3500 rpm, 60mph @ 4600 rpm (planed good, decent cruise, not enough rpm/speed on top)
stock 26p Bravo 1 : 40mph @ 3500 rpm, 62mph @ 4600 rpm (planed ok, decent cruise, not enough rpm/speed on top)
Labbed/worked 28p Bravo 1 : 43mph @ 3500 rpm, 64mph @ 4600 rpm (planed slow, good cruise, fastest but not enough rpm on top)

Thinking about trying a labbed 23 P5X, or a labbed 26 Bravo.
A 24 Bravo would probably get the rpm up on top, but I don't want to loose the cruise speed.
Thinking maybe I need to try a drive spacer. Some of the props seem to slip bad under 40.

To be honest, i think your money would be better spent on a nice labbed 24 Bravo. Going to a 24 from a 26 alone will net you 200 rpms and the lab will get you another 150. Theoretically thats 4950 pending you were properly trimmed with the stock 26... But i bet you get more rpm then that. If you dont, something may be wrong with your 496. You want 5200rpm.