I've got my 502 out and ready to rebuild and adding a roots blower and upgrade some other stuff too. I have'nt started ordering parts yet cause I'm debating on waiting til DS. My question is, I see they have performance vendors/exhibits at the Desert Storm show, this will be my 1st time there and I was wondering if they just have displays or do they have stuff for sale too? I kinda hate to wait soo late in yr to get this motor built, but I might learn something new or see something else or like another brand, etc. Are there many vendors there? Or am I expecting too much? Just wondering?

A lot of great boat companies are headquarted at lake Havasu. Finish your boat now and go as a spectator and have a huge blast. Sign up for Tres Martins high performance class, learn a lot and be able to get ins when you get big power. Or, go and be part of the poker run!

Pretty much only display pieces are taken to shows and poker runs with the exception of turnkey Mercury engines and drives. You can sometimes get "good deals" with 'show pricing' by buying in person at larger retailers as the bottom line of the company does like to attribute sales due to quantifying attendance at said (and future) events. This really only pertains to high dollar pieces though.

Buy/build you engine now. Boating season is too short. Don't wait and find a "gotcha" that makes you wish you would have started sooner. You can't buy "time/boating season".

Thanks, sounds like great advice. Heck, the way things are going to get ready for this trip, I haven't had time to work on motor anyways. Maybe I will just go and "get a good deal" on a new Merc. 1650!!!! LMAO!!! Think they will take an out-of-state bad check!?