I am looking at my options for more power/speed. The lake where I live is restricted to 26'11" for boat length so a bigger boat is not an option.

I have considered purchasing a used 525 or 600sci drop in blue motor. My 496ho is low hours (202) completely stock and runs great.

I would like to have 600/650HP and wonder if my drive, Bravo1X would hold up.

Any thoughts on building 496ho? Sell it?

screw the 496 and the others Do a 540 dart marine motor making 650 hp and the x1 drive should be fine for about 10 to 12 k I have seen create motor built by marine guys for about 12k do some looking online

My boat came with a 496, It dynoed rite at 600hp on super unleaded. It was built by Boyd Racing engines in Norman OK.

i was talking about a stock merc 496 not a built motor

What about a Raylar 600 setup?

I have looked a Raylar but to do a 496 right you would have to tear it down completely replace pistons, heads, cam, and I would make it a roller motor for sure. I don't think a 525 would be worth it for 100hp. 525 would be a solid 75mph boat I think.

There are plenty of 525's around to be had but I would like 600/650hp. I want to stay fuel injected no carb.

if I could find a complete low hour drop in mercury racing 600sci and sell my 496ho to offset the cost I think I may come out better than building the 496

I would sell it and build something else with decent cubic inches, good heads/cam/intake and aftermarket EFI.

I'd also sell it and switch to a 502 based platform. The 525 is a killer motor. A 575sci is also worth a look. More basic fi than the 525 but oft cheaper used.

I have looked into this too. I have an 05 '27. There is very little clearance in front of the 496HO motor with one serpentine belt. I am not sure there is room for a longer motor. Also the Blue motors need to be freshened up every 300 hours or so. I also understand that my boat gets squirrely over 80mph. I decided 5mph wasn't worth the additional head aches. If you are going to go to 600hp you probably should have the XR drive as well. I decided that a turn key bullet proof package was worth more than 5 mph.

A drop in blue engine will increase the value of your boat, a home made carb engine will decrease the value of your boat. Any kit added to a 496ho may also decrease the value of your boat, or make it hard to sell. Today's market is limited vs the past, more and more people are looking for "stock"