496 HO vs. HP500

[HavasuHome]

The 496 HO has 425 HP whereas the HP500 has 470, a difference of 45 HP. Is it worth the extra $~15k to upgrade to the HP500? Keeping in mind that the you can't buy an extended warranty on the HP500 and that the 496 HO has closed cooling whereas the HP500 does not. This would be in a ~5300 lb deep v. Thanks for your input.

[SUPERCREWJOHN]

Horsepower isnt the only factory when considering a motor. Torque, and the quality of the internals components makes all of the differences. For a heavy boat, I would make the move to either the HP500 or the HP525 with the XR Bravo drive. The HP525 has the closed cooling and all of the Smartcraft goodies that you would gain with the 496HO
My delima was recently similar to your own in that how can you justify all of that $$$ for just 45hp. It will be worth it in the end for the same reason that the 2 foot syndrome catches us all within a year or two or 6 months if you're really unlucky
In what type of boat, are you going to use the powerplant?

[Pet This]

Th Hp500 is hand built with all the good stuff to run wide open all day. I have one in my 25 rage, awesome, reliable motor. But at this point go straight to the HP525 and get the extra 30+ HP and closed cooling and the new generation electronics and aluminum heads and CMI's latest long tube (more low and mid torque) headers. With a boat of your size I wouldn't go with anything less. Are you purchasing a new boat or repowering? The 500 can be had for about 20K total (flame arrestor to bellhousing) and the 525 about 5 or 6 more. The boat manufacturers rake you over the coals for motor upgrades, essentially 0$ credit for the smaller motor you are upgrading from. But if you are ordering now you should be able to swing an upgraqde at their cost. My .02

[rivercrazy]

I agree with the reply's so far. But it really depends on your performance goals, expectations, and your strategy for power increases down the road.
In my experience the 496HO has been a really good motor for me. Very reliable, great performance, etc. Its only weakness is the cast pistons.
That bigger boat will react the the HP motors very well with their additional torque and easier performance upgradability

[prosthogod]

I'm not an expert in this field, but I have a HTM SR24 which is ~4500lbs. With the right prop I can do 73-75 with the 496HO. bigger motor is also heavier. I would call Arizona Speed and marine and talk to them. I believe you can change the pistons and put a new fuel injection system on for a lot less $$ and get another 150-200 hp. Call and find out.

[HBjet]

If you ever want to upgrade your stock power with better cylinder heads, or internals.... Make sure there are plenty of aftermarket companies making those parts for your motor. As far as I know, there isn't any aftermarkt parts for the 496 so your stuck with bolt on goodies until there is... whenever that will be.
HBjet

[shockwavebd]

Remember the old saying ...........go big or go home
..........................525 ................... more bang for the buck:D

[Just Tool'n]

Go as big assd you can afford. you can never have too much!
Also remember size does matter, Oh & so does horsepower!

[nextasex]

Go with the 500!!! You will not regret it!!!
Trust me.
Frank

[OutCole'd]

I could not find the HP500 or the HP525 on the Mercruiser site. Are these Mercruiser engines? If not, who manufactures them so I could do a little reserch?

[Faster Daddy]

Go 525. More HP, closed cooling and smartcraft. Seems to be worth the additional $$. If I had the dough I would have chosen it over the 496HO. Had the Boat a whole month and I'm already shoppin for a procharger!
My $.02

[boxscore]

Originally posted by OutCole'd
I could not find the HP500 or the HP525 on the Mercruiser site. Are these Mercruiser engines? If not, who manufactures them so I could do a little reserch?
Their website has an area called "mercury racing" ( or something to that effect) the 500 & 525 are considered to be in their "racing" line of motors along with their SC and poker run motors. Look for them there

[OutCole'd]

Originally posted by boxscore
Their website has an area called "mercury racing" ( or something to that effect) the 500 & 525 are considered to be in their "racing" line of motors along with their SC and poker run motors. Look for them there
Thanks, found it.

[rvrtoy]

I agree with almost every thing posted. There is one false statement though. You CAN purchase an extended warranty on any marine engine that is naturally asperated or fuel injected (not blown or supercharged) up to 550hp. Terms of up to 72 months are available:)

[HavasuHome]

The boat is going to be new. As I said it's ~5300 lbs, deep V, mid cabin. It will be used mostly at Havasu for cruising and also for some wakeboarding and skiing. The boat will also see some the occassional trip to Mohave, possibly Mead, and hopefully Powell. So, the consensus is definitely appears to be the HP500. And this talk of the 525 has me wondering about that now as well.
What's the lowdown on an extended warranty for the HP motors?

[boatnam2]

i know when it came down to getting our boat,which is a 27ft deep v mid cabin it was going to need some ponies.i compared the 500 to a teague 620 same warranty but alot more horsepower and a built drive for a few grand more i went with the teague motor and have been very happy.

[Steamin' Rice]

For that size of boat, I wouldn't go with anything less than the HP500EFI. Like the others have said, if you swing it go for the HP525EFI. It's more money up front, but you have room to make more power down the road (whipple, etc) if you decide you want to go faster....And you get the blue paint for the motor instead of black..:D

[Flashwave]

Call Teague. The 500 is very reliable. The 525 is not as reliable. You'll get a better bang for the buck with Teague and more HP too. It's worth a call.
J

[1ASKYDV]

Originally posted by Flashwave
The 500 is very reliable. The 525 is not as reliable.
J
Elaborate please....I have 65 trouble free hrs on my 525, but seeing this I wonder if there is something I should be concerned with.

[OutCole'd]

Originally posted by Flashwave
Call Teague. The 500 is very reliable. The 525 is not as reliable. You'll get a better bang for the buck with Teague and more HP too. It's worth a call.
J
What does a comparable Teague Motor sell for?

[Starloans]

I recieved my 28 Extreme the week before Labor Day. I almost bought the 500 but got the 525 instead. Standard boat buying logic. Buy all you can! I'm glad I got the 525. Remember the HP series is the racing division. Dave says the internal parts are better on the HPs. Without doing the research I believe that is the case. I started to get the 496 and whipple. I'm glad I didn't. I see that whipple has the kit for the 525 now also. I think I'll keep mine stock for now. Sounds dam good the way it is!
I'm not sure what the 28 weighs, 4800?, but with the 525 I get 76 turning a 26 labbed bravo with gear. Watertested at 78. GPS.
I don't think Dave jabbed me on the engine upgrade. I believe it was a 4K diff in price. I would do it again. No probs yet. 22 hours.
Only bad thing I can say is the back of the boat gets pretty dirty. I believe most of the HPs do. Not sure about the Mercrusiers.
DO NOT GET THE LOW WATER PICKUPS ONLY!
What the hell do I need low water pickups for in V hull? If I get in low water with a 28 I'm going to have more probs than water. Lakeshow (Tony) toasted his HP 500 at the photo shoot. Picked up a little sand and that was it.
I believe you have a choice on the water pickups when you order the drive. Worse case get dual pickups.

[Starloans]

Actually, I believe a seastrainer is the best option on the water pickups depending on your setup and X deminsion.

[cola]

I have low water only pickup with 500efi & no problems with 125+ hrs since Apirl. I would not use a sea strainer with outdrive water pick-up. Call Teague before you buy one. I wish I could run faster. 60-62 in a 29 Essex Alandra. Might do the Whipple when the warranty expirers. A 26 pitch prop would be nice. Don't go smaller then the 500efi. The black stuff will go away when you get some more hrs. Try a bigger aircleaner ( Teague or Arizona Speed & Marine ) will help.
Later, Mike

[Faster Daddy]

Originally posted by cola
I have low water only pickup with 500efi & no problems with 125+ hrs since Apirl. I would not use a sea strainer with outdrive water pick-up. Call Teague before you buy one.
Why not? Had one put on my 496ho - is there something I should have known, or need to watch? It seems to work great. :confused:

[Dusty Times]

If you have a very high X deminsion you must have a low water pickup. Without it you will suck air at higher speeds. I kinda like the idea of more water when its at high rpms.

[Starloans]

Originally posted by cola
I have low water only pickup with 500efi & no problems with 125+ hrs since Apirl. I would not use a sea strainer with outdrive water pick-up. Call Teague before you buy one. I wish I could run faster. 60-62 in a 29 Essex Alandra. Might do the Whipple when the warranty expirers. A 26 pitch prop would be nice. Don't go smaller then the 500efi. The black stuff will go away when you get some more hrs. Try a bigger aircleaner ( Teague or Arizona Speed & Marine ) will help.
Later, Mike
Actually, I don't think you use drive pickups AND seastrainer. When you have a seastrainer I THINK the drive pickup is capped off.
62 in a 29 with a 500 seems a little slow. What prop do you have now. The reason I say that is I have a 28 with a 525 (only 55 more hp) and I get 76 on GPS. Usually in the magazine tests the 28 Extreme is on the heavy side of the group and 62 to 76 mph seems like a pretty big spread for similar equipment. What rpm?
BTW the HP 500 should be an ideal platform for whipple.
Lakeshow HAD :( a HP500 in his 28. Lakeshow, what was your max speed with the 500?

[Dave C]

I got the HP 500. Nice motor and it runs great. It has much better internals for than the other standards.
I wonder if the HP is underrated. I dunno.
Go as big as you can afford. You won't regret it.
On my next boat I am going aftermarket for the motor. Much more bang for the buck IMO.

[Starloans]

Originally posted by titties and beer
i run 87 oct,if i run 91 ,or put oct boost in it gets real black(transom),and doesn't seem to run that much better,i have the 500hp
According to my owners manuel (yeah, I read it) for the 525, 87 oct is recommended and no performance can be gained by using 91. The dealer also recommended 87. I run 87. I hope it will clear up soon. 22 hours. ****, I'm tired of cleaning that shit.

[Starloans]

Originally posted by titties and beer
THAT SUCKS ARE YOU SURE ITS FROM GAS AND NOT OIL ?MY FRIEND HAS A 35' WITH TWIN 500HP ,AND HIS IS OIL:( ,BACK TO THE SHOP:(
Hasen't used a drop of oil and I just changed it for the first time. I thought about that and kept an eye on the oil. But I guess its the breakin and fuel settings on the efi (rich?) on the HP.http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/438Boat_Built0007.jpg

[cola]

62 in a 29 with a 500 seems a little slow. What prop do you have now. The reason I say that is I have a 28 with a 525 (only 55 more hp) and I get 76 on GPS. Usually in the magazine tests the 28 Extreme is on the heavy side of the group and 62 to 76 mph seems like a pretty big spread for similar equipment. What rpm?
The Alandra weighs 5300 dry. No steps in hull. Except a notch in the Delta Pad. I run a 22p @ 5000rpm @ 62 mph on speedo. 24p @ 4750rpm @ the same top speed. With the 24p I like the faster MPH @ lower RPM's say 3500 to 4000 RPM's borderline on the max RPM's though. I believe the hull needs about another 75 to 100 hp. to free it up. A extra 7g's will answer my question.
Seastrainers I don't beleive should be run with outdrive water pickups high or low.
Late, Mike

[BoatPI]

I wa invited to the HP center on the hill in Fon Du Lac, WI. A cold winter day. I saw stacks of GM crate engines being disassembled, and Crane valve trains installed, cranks checked, new cams, and many other changes. ALL HP engines are then dyno tested in one of two slick dyno rooms. They even build outboard HP engines at this facility. All "brains" are upstairs including marketing, wrenches are hard at work downstairs. From HP 500's to 1000's.
Most HP engines add 200 to 400 rpm to the red line, and this equaly speed. As suggested, a lab prop is the best second addition.
As far as price, from a Mag to an HP engine generally includes external steering so add the aditional $2,500 for that alone.
As all Merc repairmen, or ladies, I took the five day basic school. I leanred one very important thing. If Merc says 87 octane, then 87 octane IT IS! Their electronics, Thunderboat IV and later ignition is set up for this rating.
Add 91 octane and you are pissing good beer money into the lake.

[Starloans]

Originally posted by cola
62 in a 29 with a 500 seems a little slow. What prop do you have now. The reason I say that is I have a 28 with a 525 (only 55 more hp) and I get 76 on GPS. Usually in the magazine tests the 28 Extreme is on the heavy side of the group and 62 to 76 mph seems like a pretty big spread for similar equipment. What rpm?
The Alandra weighs 5300 dry. No steps in hull. Except a notch in the Delta Pad. I run a 22p @ 5000rpm @ 62 mph on speedo. 24p @ 4750rpm @ the same top speed. With the 24p I like the faster MPH @ lower RPM's say 3500 to 4000 RPM's borderline on the max RPM's though. I believe the hull needs about another 75 to 100 hp. to free it up. A extra 7g's will answer my question.
Seastrainers I don't beleive should be run with outdrive water pickups high or low.
Late, Mike
Dam Cola, just trying to campare apples. Looks like the 7gs will be the answer.

[cola]

Originally posted by Starloans
Dam Cola, just trying to campare apples. Looks like the 7gs will be the answer.
Starloans, no problem just clarifying your statement about the speed. Top speed is not that important to me. I would like to run @ 45 to 50 mph with 3500 rpm + - . Very hard to compare apples when one is a lot slower.
Late, Mike