Gentlemen, how many hours can I expect to get from a 525 EFI before I need a rebuild (on average) vs a 496HO? Any reason to lean one way or another as far as history? Thanks in advance!

525 great parts and engine.

496 not so great parts, but decent engine.

Good question

The 525 will need the valve springs replace at about 250 Hrs, when you replace them use the Isky Endurance spring and you can stretch that out to about 500Hrs. Refresh the bottem end at about 500Hrs. The 525 will spank the 425HP but it will run a lot longer without being opened up. I am not the expert but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

You will most likely get about twice the hours out of a 496HO vs a 525EFI before a top end service or full rebuild is needed.

Anyone else with experience on the hours.500 hrs doesn't seem too long for the bottom end,I would hope to get more than that before having to pull the engine.

500 hrs is about 10 years of boating for most people.

Oh yeah

I got 172 hours on mine before it dropped a valve. So now I am at 509ci and all is well....... except my wallet.....