Great to see all the info on these boats. I just purchased mine in Aug - 1996 26' and can't wait to start modifying it. I'd love to see mid 70's or so, but need to keep it reliable.

That's why I started this thread. I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck as I start to modify mine. It's just a matter of where to begin and how far I want to go.

Well I know very little about boats but i am really liking this supercharged 502 and it seems to be very dependable, my plans are to get the boat running 80s dependably if possible i have a few more mods to do that have been highly recommended to me just saving up the cash to pay for them. Do yall have any other pics that you can post on here if so i would like to see thanks jamie

That's about where I would like my boat to be. Procharged 502 w/headers sounds good to me...just gotta start saving the $$$

Does anyone have any thoughts on the best headers for the money? This will probably be the first mod on the boat and I want to get the best bang for the buck.

Everyone i have spoken too has recommended gil/hardin, That is what I am saving up for now. I called one or two places and they are about 1800 bucks with 75 s/h

Check with CP Performance. I don't think I paid that much last year. Gil Exhaust and Hardin risers I think were about 1600, maybe even less. I would have to locate the reciepts. Pricey .. yes, worth it, oh yeah man. Lots of torque and a goo hp boost as well.

Do some price shopping , and I think you might be able to get some CMI's elbow tops for around the same as the Gil's and in my opinion you will be better off.
I got lucky and traded my old Stainless marines (off of the 502) for the CMI's I have now.
Don't skimp in the exhaust dept, it's just too expensive to have to do twice.

The supercharger is a nice route to go , if you want to run 80's but you will have to do some drive work to get it to live. I picked N/A for cost and I think it's a little easier on drives. Your probably going to need a solid 650hp to run 80.

i've got a 98' 26 which have owned from day one. it is used mostly offshore in the norytheast. with the stock 502 mag and 24 pitch 3 blade it ran 68mph(gps) at 4800 rpm. with the 502 reworked and a whipple, 28 pitch wheel and xr drive, it ran 83 mph (gps) at 5100 rpm.
then i blew motor and drive.

form july of 05 to july of 06 i had every component updated. i bought a 500efi done up by innovations in fl., new livorsi everything, guages,wheel, throttle, new xr, external dual ram, ect... with 24 hydromotive intimidator. more than 50k later, at 5400prm with a 1/2 tank and 4 people it does a solid 75mph.
i love the damn thing. properly rigged, there is no better single power ride.

oh, yeah, i almost forgot....cmi (see pic. above) is the way to go, a little more $, but exhaust isn't the best place to cut corners.