I see many of the production boat manufacturers are offering their lineups w/ the option of either Mercury 8.2L MAG engine. The std 8.2 MAG rated at 380hp & the 8.2 MAG H.O. rated at 430hp. Based on production boat MSRP's there appears to be approx a $16k premium to upgrade from a pr of 8.2's to the 8.2 H.O.'s. If the hp #'s are accurate you'd have a 100 more hp w/ a pair of them. When I do a side by side comparison of them on Mercuries site the only difference I notice is the rpm range that Max H.P. is achieved at and the +50hp.

I did a Google search but couldn't find any links to any sort of. Ultimately the only info I've found is whats on Mercury's site. I was hoping to find a story, link etc where a Manufacturer had built 2 of the same model boat over time filling customer orders, but w/ the different 8.2 engine packages. Sort of like the Formula Fastech's w/ both Mercuy's & ILMOR's small V-8's.

Anyone know someone thats owned a boat w/ both packages or a dealer thats tested both?

In reality the $16k premium at MSRP is probably closer to $11k for the pair assuming a 30% discount.

This equates to approx $110 per 1 h.p. gain.

These motors are likely no different that the 496 MAG and MAG HO where the only differences between the two are the camshaft and PCM programming. Not sure what boat you are looking at but I would take a very hard look at Volvo's new LS-based offering.

http://www.boatingmag.com/engines/st...o-penta-v8-380

That sounds like an awesome deal for someone in your line of work

I'm familiar w/ the Volvo but it too is just 380h.p.

I've plenty of test data on the Formula 310FX5 w/ the 8.2 MAG but none w/ the H.O.

I agree & our engine shop would kill for that ratio as would my design engineers when it comes to weight savings.

I believe Volvo is releasing a 430 HP version of the LS based small block. I'm very intrigued with this engine because of the weight savings over the Merc big block.

You know what I think you are right I remember reading the same thing.

If I could have it my way I'd request a pr of ILMOR 570's but I don't think Formula will appprove the power.

Basically I have the opportunity to buy a 310 FX w/ the 8.2 MAG's pretty right but I can also order one w/ the same discount structure so my real question being.... "Will One Notice A Measurable Speed Difference between the 8.2 engines on a GPS Speedo" to justify the $11k??

3 - 4 MPH maybe? Motors probably make similar torque so wonder what the difference in your normal cruise RPM would be between the two?

It is listed on their website, sounds good + significant weight savings, they claim 200lbs+ per engine which is going to be a big plus http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopenta...es/V8-430.aspx

I was hoping I could do some prop testing (although there are 4 of them w/ B3's) to get what I want out of it. I prefer a power package capable of higher top end that I can prop tune accordingly to end up w/ a range I'll actually boat within. A 60mph WOT boat will cruise at 40mph more comfortably than a 55mph WOT boat based on the desired cruise speed rpm & % of WOT rpm.

I maybe be spliiting hairs but I figured I'd atleast research.

My Skater will run 138-140 w/ a pr of 5blade 39's but zero acceleration. I own a pr of 37's & it accelerates strong w/ a top speed of 133-135 giving me the power & acceleration where I want it, say 75-100mph.

At the end of the day I didn't want to just accept the Formula & or Boat Test.com figures just b/c thats the way the factory delivers the boat w/ a certain set of props.