Ok I am getting ready to rebuild a 496HO and install a Whipple 2.3 on it. I have done a lot of research and I know Raylar sells kits for this. I am wanting to install forged, rods, pistons, and a crank (even though some say it's not necessary?). Is there anywhere else to buy these parts that is cheaper or a better option? I would also probably leave the stock heads as I'm just looking to build a reliable 600-650HP motor not looking to break any records. Also looking at purchasing the Dana Marine headers for this. Thanks in advance!

stock gm 4.25 by 4.38 496? that crank in forged is rare to nonexistant. what gen engine?

Have to do the math on cost but if you only want 600-650 and are already doing the bottom end. The Raylar 600 kit will dyno at 615-625 and may be cheaper than buying the whipple. Ditch the stock heads, they are the worst part of the engine. Steel cranks are out there. They are not hard to find. I know of 2-3 different shops that have them.

Pretty sure Scat makes a forged crank for the 496 metric motor. Mark @ MER would be another guy to call.

I already have the whipple 496 kit bought it with a 496 MAG that broke a rod but didn't blow out the block. Worst case I may have to find a block at a junk yard or something?

what IS a 496 HO? gen 7 crank in a gen 6 block and heads? or all gen 7 metric engine? people have put that crank in a 502 block and got some big inch big power with that cast crank.

I did one last year scat rods JE pistons dart gen 7 heads arp head bolts cometic head gaskets it had a forged crank in it already cam from raylar high volume oil pump I had about $7000 into it good luck with the build

So was this cheaper or better than going with ha the Raylar kit? What company is MER?

Mark is on this site. His company is MER performance which is also his screen name. You could pm him or here is his company website with contact infromation. http://merperformance.com/

This! Spend the money you were going to spend on exhaust on the heads.