Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

[DougSAz]

We purchased one of the boats from the bank when Magic went under and like a lot of other people out there i have been searching for a engine package for our 28 Deckboat. I know that Mercury is a popular choice but i just wanted to pass along some info i found on a GM Marine engine package that looks like it might be worth looking at. Please take a look at the pictures and specs and see what you think.

There are a number of big race teams running these and they have logged a lot of time in the water with these motors over the last 1.5 years.

Please post your thoughts on this package. Since the 496 HO is not available much longer and the 525EFI is so expensive this seems like a great alternative.

http://www.solutionpartner.com/img/lsasc1.jpg
http://www.solutionpartner.com/img/lsasc2.jpg
http://www.solutionpartner.com/img/lsasc3.jpg
http://www.solutionpartner.com/img/lsasc4.jpg
http://www.solutionpartner.com/img/lsasc5.jpg
http://www.solutionpartner.com/img/lsasc6.jpg

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

the LSA / LY6's are based on GM's Gen IV small block.

If you've ever seen pictures of those motors apart, you will know that they are built tough as nails.

I myself am a HUGE fan of those motors. They are essentially the same v8's GM uses in their trucks and SUV's. (and very very similar to the corvette / camero's)

plus you get all the "creature comforts" of a modern motor such as coil near plug ignition.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

$14K for the CHEAP one?

I think I can beat that, by about $8K or $9K. 450 HP from a 454 is not hard to do at all.

Sure is......

NOW, make it an MPI with all aluminum block and heads & stainless steel manifolds/risers! ......you will not do it for $8 or 9K

 

[JustJason]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Since the 496 HO is not available much longer and the 525EFI is so expensive this seems like a great alternative.

The 496 Mag's and the 8.2 Mags are still available now, so why wait? If you want to go the cheap route. Look into Jasper reman's or new Crusaders.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Have you checked to see if Raylar marine can set you up with a engine package for your boat?

http://www.raylarengine.com/packages.html

I hear nothing but good things about Ray.

Where you able to buy the boat on your own or did you half to finance it? Because I have only heard that if you bought it through long beach yacht sales and had to finance it you would need to put a new complete engine package in it per the bank's rules, And a qualified service shop like teague custom marine for example would need to install it.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Having worked at Magic, and rigged about 100 of those 28 deckboats, You will want to measure very carefully for that motor in you photo. If it is more any taller than a HP500, you are going to have problems with fitting the engine cover. Headers for the HP500 actually rub the inside of the engine lid on the 28 deck when ever someone sits or stands on it.
You may also run into a problem clearing that air cleaner. The merc big blocks bearly clear the front pullys against the bench seat back.
As you know, that seat is not movable.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

True enough but to me, having a shiny piece of art work hidden under the engine cowling doesn't make the boat perform any better.

Here's one we can agree on Bubba!!

 

[DougSAz]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Hey guys thanks for all the great feedback. I am still doing my own research on this engine and actually talked to a guy today that has one in a 27 foot vee bottom. He says this thing will run 83mph all day long with this motor. He offered to take me for a ride in april during the poker run if i was interested. He went from a 502 to this motor and says he has no regrets other than the BB was more dressed out.

 

[DougSAz]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Having worked at Magic, and rigged about 100 of those 28 deckboats, You will want to measure very carefully for that motor in you photo. If it is more any taller than a HP500, you are going to have problems with fitting the engine cover. Headers for the HP500 actually rub the inside of the engine lid on the 28 deck when ever someone sits or stands on it.
You may also run into a problem clearing that air cleaner. The merc big blocks bearly clear the front pullys against the bench seat back.
As you know, that seat is not movable.

Thanks for the tips. I will measure carefully to make sure it will all fit. I am also wondering what kind of handling differences i might see being the back of the boat will be 400 pounds lighter? It is amazing how much heavier the BB is to these other motors.

What if anything have you heard about Magic opening back up since Cougar bought them out? I see the website is back up and they have some boats for sale again.

I heard the sales lot is open again in Havasu also.

 

[DougSAz]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Have you checked to see if Raylar marine can set you up with a engine package for your boat?

http://www.raylarengine.com/packages.html

I hear nothing but good things about Ray.

Where you able to buy the boat on your own or did you half to finance it? Because I have only heard that if you bought it through long beach yacht sales and had to finance it you would need to put a new complete engine package in it per the bank's rules, And a qualified service shop like teague custom marine for example would need to install it.

I think Ray is a great guy. I just find myself wanting to go another route other than a BB.

The truth is i have a Mercruiser 496HO with an XR drive sitting brand new in a Mercury crate.

I have rode in my same boat with this package and it was nice, ran a solid 68mph but not fast enough for me. I am looking for about 80 to 85 and i will be happy.

I bought this package new with the motor and drive for $10000.00. I am keeping the drive, they just finished installing it today with an x dimension based on a 525EFI setup. Luckily i talked to KONK who was a rigging guy at Magic also and he got me the x dimensions.

I payed cash for the boat and the engine package both. LBYS did not have financing options when i got my boat and we were one of the first ones so we got ours for $28500.00 out the door. This was a sweet deal for a brand new 28ft deck boat minus engine and drive.

 

[DougSAz]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

The 496 Mag's and the 8.2 Mags are still available now, so why wait? If you want to go the cheap route. Look into Jasper reman's or new Crusaders.

Jason as stated above i did just this and then decided i wanted more speed. I do have a plan though. If i do decide to go with another motor package and it is a BB i am going to go with the Mercury Racing 525EFI. I have been told this motor and drive (xr) work really good in this boat and the local Mercruiser dealer said they will give me a $9500 credit towards the blue motor. That means i got the XR drive brand new for $500.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Thanks for the reply back, And yes that is/was a sweet deal, Congrats on that.

Just another idea to think about if you do end up going to a (BB), Maybe Ray would make a sweet deal with you if you traded him your new 496 for one of his built up engines that should be more power then the 525.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

True enough but to me, having a shiny piece of art work hidden under the engine cowling doesn't make the boat perform any better.

Well, you're right if it was only "a shiny piece of art-work".......... But shaving considerable weight from the back does.


An aluminum block, aluminum head engine weighs quite a bit less than the cast iron equivalent!

In their example, they claim a 1030lb difference between a pair of cast iron BBC engines (and cast manifolds/risers) and theirs. (I'm guessing that they include the weight savings with their SS manifold/riser combo too!!)

So in my boat I could remove more than 500lbs from the back.

That would absolutely improve the performance BIG TIME!!!!!

 

[JustJason]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Jason as stated above i did just this and then decided i wanted more speed.

Ahhh I see. I didn't know that when I origanally wrote that statement.

If it's power your after, shop around I guess. Even though those guys are sort of in my neck of the woods, i've never heard of them.

I don't know if this is your first go-fast or not.

If it is, keep in mind go fast is a different world than pleasure boating.

I've seen many a fountain blown up 6 months out of warranty. Its sorta common with go fasts for a guy to shuck out 20 grand, put less than 100 hours on a boat, and be out that 20 large in the course of a year or 2.

If your a millionaire then have a blast. If your not, consider the explicit warranty from every manufactorer your considering as a big part of the overall picture.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Thanks for the tips. I will measure carefully to make sure it will all fit. I am also wondering what kind of handling differences i might see being the back of the boat will be 400 pounds lighter? It is amazing how much heavier the BB is to these other motors.

What if anything have you heard about Magic opening back up since Cougar bought them out? I see the website is back up and they have some boats for sale again.

I heard the sales lot is open again in Havasu also.

One thing you are going to find about that deckboat is that it is a pig getting up onto plane. They stand up like a bouy before laying over. Hell of a good rider after that, though. I had to do a couple runs around the lake to replicate an intermittant problem last year in one that was powered by (owners number) 750HP blown Cobra racing motor. 97mph on the GPS and stable as anything I've driven. (still no hole shot though)

Yeah, Magic is up and running again. Orders are way down from what I understand, but with the economy and what Ron did leaving a bad taste in peoples mouths, I guess that is to be expected. I just heard they are looking at opening up a service center again, too.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Jason as stated above i did just this and then decided i wanted more speed. I do have a plan though. If i do decide to go with another motor package and it is a BB i am going to go with the Mercury Racing 525EFI. I have been told this motor and drive (xr) work really good in this boat and the local Mercruiser dealer said they will give me a $9500 credit towards the blue motor. That means i got the XR drive brand new for $500.

Have you ever had a kat hulled boat before? They drive completely unlike a V-hull. And Magic's 28 deck is one heavy SOB. That, and the air entrapment hull design, is why they are slow to plane. It's also why they ride so nice once you are up there.
The HP525 is my favorite rig for that boat, except for the one piece motor mount. It doesn't fit and has to be modified to get between the stringers.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Have you ever had a kat hulled boat before? They drive completely unlike a V-hull. And Magic's 28 deck is one heavy SOB. That, and the air entrapment hull design, is why they are slow to plane. It's also why they ride so nice once you are up there.
The HP525 is my favorite rig for that boat, except for the one piece motor mount. It doesn't fit and has to be modified to get between the stringers.

Also you might want to keep this in mind, But have you checked into insurance yet?

Kat hulled style boats are very hard to to get insurance with anything over a 496.

If you have not done so yet you might want to ask the guys about insurance for this set up over on performance boats, Or River Daves Place, They seem to know alot about this. And if that is the case then maybe you can kind of hide the extra power using the Raylar. He responded to you on (OSO)

EDIT: As I think more about insurance, With a DECK BOAT it is not as hard to get insurance, Havasuboatman might be able to clear this up a little bit also

 

[DougSAz]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Just thought i would post an update. I picked up a Mercury Racing 525EFI from an insurance deal for $12000.00 out the door. It is a complete package minus drive with only 42 hours on it. I already have a XR Drive so my search is over.

They fired it for us and it sounds great. Had a Mercury tech in Phoenix check it out and he gave it a thumbs up.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

I would LOVE to put a 525 in my Liberator!!

Let us know how it runs!

 

[livin4real]

Re: Looking for opionions on this motor as a replacement for a Mercruiser 496HO

Sorry to thread steal, it'll only be for a second You seem like the crowd to ask, so real quick, have any of you guys dealt with these guys? All hype or legit? I have a friend in Vegas shopping and my buddy from Cali recommended them. http://www.ultraboats.com/index2.html