I am looking to get my 240 sport (same hull as 24' OL) to about 70 mph. I am going to build the motor after I decide where to draw the line between power and reliability. Is turn key reliability and 70 mph to much to ask for? I hope not. What do you guys think?

496 HO no less.
Hell maybe even more?
My first boat was a 98 O/L with a 454 Mag and it only did 58 ewwwwww

'97 Outlaw w/525sc & chiller put it up to low 80's. Get 500 ponies into that thing and you should hit 70 easily.

I have a 97 with an HP500 it runs 71 on gps with a 23 pitch 3 blade mirage prop that was done by Darren at Houston propeller. It was repitched to a 24" and had the blades thinned. It runs this speed in the heat of the summer in Phoenix AZ and in the fall runs about 73

It will take LOTS of HP. I agree with everyone else, at least 500. Build a supercharged motor with low boost and good carbs and you should be fairly turn key/low maint. Or stroke the 454 to 496 and cam it up. Either way you need exhaust, that ain't cheap.
I had 600 in a 226es and it was a 80 all day boat, best of 88 with a big wheel and bigger carb. Not too user friendly or turn key.

I have the exhaust already on it. The motor was rebuilt about 250 hrs ago. They put it back together basicly stock and added roller rockers + Stainless Marine Exhaust. What does a 496 kit cost?

I had a 91 260 sport. I stroked the 454 to a 496 (Actually worked out to a 489 give or take) with merlin oval port heads and stainless marine exhaust. It had a comp cam but I don't remember the grind and an 850 holley. IT ran 70 to 72 on the gps. I ran a 25p 3blade. I did all this myself except for machine work for under $3500. Last i heard it was still running 4 yrs later.

kennyo,how fast is that 272 these days? I got mine to low 90's now w/new top end,confident I'll see mid 90's before summers over,Smitty

I can offer you a 540 or 572 aspirated engine turn key for 200 hrs before you need to touch it with 600-750 hp depending on how agressive you want to get. let me know if you are interested.
Thx Mike
Roccard Marine Engines
570-956-2840
[email protected]

Thanks for the input.....
Looks like I need at least 500hp. I guess its time to dig up a jar of $$$$ and get busy........... Well maybe there are more things to check into first...