Anybody ever done a swap like this? Can it be done without breaking the budget?

01 25 baja outlaw standard rigging bravo 1 through hull exhaust.

I am not sure about a 525, but, I have seen a few 500HP's and 500EFI's, the 525's seem to be a little rarer and usually more money

That depends on your bank. A good used 525EFI is around 20k.

I am talking straight conversion costs not the engine. Essentially what do I need to do/know about when I unplug and unbolt my 454 and drop the 525 in?

Forget the 525.. Here is what you need... Start with a 496ho mag. It is plug and play... You will get 7-8 mph out of that .. Next have raylar kit installed Actually better to have that done before installing in the boat if you want big power. Much cheaper and more power than 525 and PLUG and PLAY.. Only problem you will have is if you currently have silent choice or similar exhaust... If so it is an easy fix.. Just email me at [email protected] or PM me on here...

Chris

He is at 385hp with a 454mag. A 496HO is 425hp and might get him 2mph.

MIGHT see 7-8MPH AFTER the Raylar kit was installed on the 496? But, I cant see a "regular" 496HO giving you 6-7MPH.

I am not sure what differences there is in rigging, I would assume the 525 would be set up for "L" angle thru bolted engine mounting, your 454 might just mount on the rubber biscuits, but, I could be wrong.

As Griff said, your looking at 20K for a good 525, I have seen good 500EFIs and/or 500 HP's for quite a bit less than that, and, unlike the 496 they are "Mercury Racing" [blue] motors, not the Mercruiser [black] motors.

You could call a reputable marine rigging shop and ask them, they should have a prettty good idea, especially if they have done a few of them.

Michael

Grif and N20 you are correct. I did not see that it was a 454 mag. I did the 496 swap on a 24 ft vip vindicator but it was a 454mpi not the mag.. I got 9mph on gps. I know the wiring plug is the same on the 454mpi and mag and 496. So all the gauges will work.. Mine did anyway.. Not sure you could get the smart craft system for twins working but that is a different issue. Raylar can build your 496 to give you more power than the 525 and much cheaper..

Chris

Why not add a procharger and some CMI's to the 454 MAG you have now? Procharger will fit under the hatch without cutting. The 525 EFI is based off the GM 502 big block and will accept the motor mounts and bellhousing off your 454. Its just a Big Block Chevy, so very simple stuff. Keep in mind if the 525 was used in a boat with a tranny (nxt, or surface drive) the flywheel will need to be machined because the starter ring will be on the wrong side, and the oil cooler might interfere with your transom because it will be mounted across the back.

As far as the 496HO goes, I would keep what you have and build it up. The 454, 502 and merc racing engines all have FORGED internals (pistons, cranks etc) the 496 engine uses cast. The 454 mag is a great motor that is ignored because of the 502. A 454 mag on a dyno next to a 502 mag....there is not much of a difference, if any! The original 525 merc racing motor was a 454 mag with a 172 blower and single holley carb

Add a procharger and some headers, you will get 10 mph and your boat will sound nasty with headers. I know a boat on our lake with a 330 hp and CMI headers, it sounds like an 800 hp engine lol.