I am considering repowering my 2000 358 with 496's built with the 525hp kit from Raylar. The kit has produced 529 to 535hp without reprograming the ecm. I currently have 502's. My question is that in a previous thread there was a problem with the hatch hitting the air filter on the 500efi and the 525 in the 358, does anyone know if there is the same problem with th 496? This kit does change the engine dim.

Don't know about the 496's, but I'm adding a A/S speed throttle body and flame arrestor and will be cutting the back of the seat and adding a insert to make room for the flame arrestor.

Sonic modified the seat back to make room for the 525's. I think the seat back is more vertical now than in the previous years.

I'd stick with your 502's and hop them up. Better bottem end.

Go 4 Broke,I was considering the 496 so i could take advantage of the closed cooling system, the boat is used in Fl. I did have a quote from Innovation to redo my 502's up to 500hp + but they couldn't get to them until April 2005, this date was given to me back in Nov. What mods would you recommend?

I would install inconel exhaust valves and stainless intake valves, big oil coolers, and whipple them. That would likely get you 650hp and be fairly reliable.