Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

[JordanFast]

I have been interested in buying this boat called a 34ft kachina bolero. The one I am interested in has twin 496ho's and its dry weight it 7500pounds. Now I have found the same boat but it has twin 525 efi's. First of all, are 496ho's two small for this boat, second of all what would the speed be for each of them?

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

I bet Kachina could tell you. Kachina Boat Builders | Phoenix, Arizona

 

[Volphin]

Re: Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

Used low hour 525EFI's are going for about 20k. Used 496HO's are in the 8-9k range. The 525 is a better powerplant overall. 496's require forged internals IMHO . Either will power the vessel just fine, but you will get more low and top end out of the 525s. The 496 to 525 is a popular upgrade for those with 496HOs. Save yourself the hassle and go with the 525s.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

:welcome: to iboats

Agree with Levinz and will add: This will depend on what year the boats are because the 502 is standard with 415hp in older days and the 496 is at 425hp. The 502 has more torque and is proven over many years to be will built and reliable. The new 502HO is rated at 430hp, and both engines have a WOT around 5000. The older 502 WOT could go up to 5200. Weight and size are about the same.


Edit: Man :facepalm: saw 525 and started writing about 502. Good greef

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

Used low hour 525EFI's are going for about 20k. Used 496HO's are in the 8-9k range. The 525 is a better powerplant overall. 496's require forged internals IMHO . Either will power the vessel just fine, but you will get more low and top end out of the 525s. The 496 to 525 is a popular upgrade for those with 496HOs. Save yourself the hassle and go with the 525s.

Bingo. I cant imagine what it would cost to upgrade a 496 to a 525's hp...15k maybe..

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

I have no idea what the speeds will be, but the 525s will be roughly 11% faster than the 496 HOs.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

After missing it on my first post I'll try again. The 525 is built from the same 502 block and 496 and 525 run on 87 octane gas. Once you go to a 525 you also can no longer use the regular bravo series outdrive, you will be using the XR series or NXT or NXT6 SSM Drive. Price tag for a new complete 525 with drive was 35K about 6 years ago (I was thinking about putting one in my cruiser). Offshore Only web site has a great classified section for used and remanufactured engines and drives by the forum members.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Kachina Bolero speed difference with twin 496ho vs twin 525efi

First of all, are 496ho's two small for this boat, second of all what would the speed be for each of them?

Hi there, Depending on your need for speed, no the 496's would not be under powered for this boat as it should put the boat either in the high 60's to low 70's on average while the 525's should average the high 70's while topping out somewhere around 81.3 mph.

The 525's require much higher maintenance service intervals over the 496's.

The 525's has an tendency to need a top end rebuild at about 250 hours partly because of the high valve lift and beating that the valve train takes.

More frequent engine oil changes are recommended by the people in the know of these engines. Keep an eye on the oil levels.

You may want to do some google searching on the 525 efi service maintenance. Here's one of many,
500EFI vs 525

Keep an eye on the headers and at the head/flange connections. Pressure testing the headers from time to time is key.

Side note) The 525's oil cooler, PS fluid cooler, heat exchanger, all have a "strainer" like part, full of holes, where "stuff" could get stuck and increase engine heat or lower water flow where the 496 has strainer like holes in the heat exchanger. Easier maintenance. Just watch them, and clean periodically.

Kachina 34 Bolero: Performance Report - Articles - boats.com

If you don't mind doing a bit more maintenance service intervals vs a non high performance engine like the 496, then the 525 EFI is the better funner way to go.