This is probably a really dumb question but at first glance not finding anything in my initial google search.
How do I figure out if my 496 is MAG or HO?? I know the difference is the cam and PCM tune, but how do I actually figure out which one I have?
Can you figure it out by serial number? SN on PCM?
Appreciate any help.

Nevermind.. found the designator in the PCM555 service manual..

In case anyone is wondering..

The sticker on the engine cover can be a clue too.

Unfortunately, I didn't receive that with my boat purchase

OK,so what do you have?LOL

Sorry..I was being a wise-ass with the sticker question/comment......but how do you buy a boat without knowing what engine is in there? The mag and mag HO are, at minimum, different price points

It's a project boat.. i was told its a merc 8.1 and it only had 310 hours on it but it hadnt run in 3 years. It's a 2006 Campion 825... It's a 28' cabin cruiser.. I got it for 10k with an aluminum triaxle trailer.. my thought was worst case I can sell the trailer and generator and get the majority of my investment back... and if everything works out, I'll have a boat that will be worth 50-60k..
obviously I'll be dumping a decent amount in, but so far the motor seems good, tested everything I could and just fired it up 2 days ago on the stand and everything checks out..

I know that's more than you asked but sometimes I need to rejustify to myself what I got myself into lol

Also... I know I'm in the minority here with a cabin cruiser, but this place seems to be by far the best knowledge base for 496s... Can't begin to say how much good info I've gotten from this site.

Swampy's boat is basically a cabin cruiser too - "express cruiser" that is not so express LOL

I guess I never heard the term express cruiser, but now after looking it up, I guess that's what mine is too... definitely not express right now with the engine in my garage. lol