What kind of speed do you get out of the 30 outlaw with the 496 mags, non HO. Can the mags be beefed up to the HO version? Is it worth it?

Boat test rated the HO's at 70.8 and their 50hp more than the mag, so do the math

I've heard from numerous people and posts that the top speed with HOs was near 78 mph. So I was hoping to get real life experiences with just the MAGs.

Got 78 out of my 30 with HOs all day long. So, if you drop down 50HP a side, I imagine 74 is probably a solid number. No, not worth trying to up a MAG to HO. Keep MAG stock and reliable......IMO.

I had a 2004 30 with mags and it did an honest 72-73 on GPS. I now have a 2007 30 with mags. Identical boat however in 2004 the X was slightly higher. The 2007 does an honest 70-71 GPS, however it does handle better in my opinion. 2005-2008 had the lower X. I'd go with a later model one, as I had some other issues with my 2004, typical as 2004 was the first year build of the 30. I doubt an HO boat does 78 on GPS, probably closer to 75. Good luck.