Are they the same? I had a 496 mag ho in my last boat and loved it, I now have a 454 mpi that sounds like a Buick engine. I see there are 496 engines for sale from people who have upgraded, just wondering if they would fit.

Are you asking if you can put a 496 in a boat with a 454 currently in it? If thats what your asking then yes everything is for the most part plug and play.

As Irish said, you sure can. You may need a plug adapter to go from the 8(?) pin to 11(?) pin connector.
I think Hardin makes that adapter but I can't be 100% sure.
You could just re-cam your 454 & put aluminum Edelbrock marine heads on it. I know of a great package that will get you over 500+ hp out of your 454 & it will look stock.

I would like to know more about this. Mine are older 454's though.

Can you get PM's?
Or you can email me
badideabaja at yahoo . com

can you pm me too??

The exhaust exit locations are different thru the transom between the 2. The 496 is higher and wider. Not a deal killer but certainly inconvenient in such a swap.

Jason the plugs are the same from a 496 to 500 so I'm guessing the 454 would be the same...it's a 9pin setup on the 500 and 454.

Exhaust is not something I was aware of. Hope I don't run into this problem next weekend with mine project.

i'm in for reworking the 454 if I can get decent reliable power out of it but it has to remain fuel injected because my wife unloads and loads it and she can't deal with the throttle manipulation of a carburated engine. How much can you do do a 454 mpi and the electronics still be right?

Keep the 454. More options and cheaper to upgrade than a 496. Yes you can keep your FI. Not sure where your at, but if its anywhere near north central Texas I can hook you up. Irish I would be very interested in your project. Be sure to start a thread on it!