Need some info or advice on my current project. Have a 1986 Century 4500 (23 ft similar to Mirage or Chapparal hull of same era) that I am rebuilding as a first resto. Tops and upholstery redone, transom, motor stringers and floor redone. Upgrading 454 Mag/Alpha to 496HO/Bravo and wondering how much of the old controls will work with new combo. The motor is a complete 2008 dropin that I am pairing up to a 91 transom and drive. Motor is being shipped next week and wondering if I will need to rerig boat for it? Shifter is not an issue but lookin to upgrade to smartcraft system and wondering if any used stuff is out there to do so.

I doubt you will find any used smartcraft stuff.

Lots of surplus harnesses and guages on Ebay. Saw some used stuff listed in old swap shop archives. Just starting to look and any special info/help in rerigging boat would be appreciated. Getting right harness/guage combo first time would be great. Looks like I will be needing trim senders to upgrade to 3 wire for smartcraft.

I swapped out a 454 Mag MPI with a 496HO, no issues. I had mechanical indicators so I don't know about the trim senders. The motor just always registered a code regarding the trim circuit. I thought i remember someone selling some smartcraft stuff on the facebook swap page not too long ago.

A smartcraft engine harness has a ground, a circuit for analog trim and a circuit for digital trim. You use one or the other with the ground not all 3

just make sure the motor you baught is not a dts if it is it will be more expensive to switch over i know i am doing it right now

What is different? I am looking to add vesselview and full guage harness but still using cable shift. Won't have engine till next week. It was an 08 out of a Tahoe boat.

Whats the facebook swap page??

if it is a dts you will need a new dts control with the wiring and a merc tech to program everything or you can get your pcm reflashed by raylar to work with cable control and another throttle body with cable , plus you may need to rework your harness i do believe the newer harnesses do not support both controls like the older ones , also if you are going dts you will also need a shift actuator .

https://www.facebook.com/groups/101777369989888/