What would be your first choice, 496, 502, or bigger?

[mud duck]

In a new jet boat, what would be your first choice of power? A new 496, a 502, or something bigger like a 540 Merlin?
What pump would you use? An American Turbine 309? Or something else?
This would be put in a 20 or 21 foot new boat.
Please don't make this a pissing contest, just honest opinions.

[77charger]

For a jet boat a built 454 will be fine for me or even a carbed 502.Reason is that there are lots of parts and options to make more hp.
As for a new boat and power for me well lets just say i will be going to the darkside in three years!!!!(21 tunnel and 300x)

[beached1]

Originally posted by 77charger:
As for a new boat and power for me well lets just say i will be going to the darkside in three years!!!!(21 tunnel and 300x)
Homo!!
http://free.***boat.net/ubb/wink.gif JK
I would say in a pefect world a Berk and a LS6 would be fine for me.

[Hallett19]

Well, froggystyle has a 509 Merlin in his boat (21 Ultra XS), but that thing has nothing out of the hole, he spins the impeller too fast !!! But that baby flies on the top end and sounds like an offshore monster when he passes you up, and you REALLY FEEL that motor when you are cruising and he stomps on it. But a 454 should be more than fine for anything the recreational boater needs.

[superdave013]

The 496 in my new truck has be nothing but trouble.

[DickDanger]

What kind of trouble have you had with the 496? I thought that was supposed to be a good setup??? -DD out

[canuck1]

575ci small block

[flat broke]

Go as big as you can afford the 1st time around. Nothing sucks more than spending money on good parts for say a 454/461/468 only to find out that when you want to go bigger most of the internals won't be reused. There are some good deals on 540 short block kits if you shop around thatI wish I had known about last year. Talk to a competent engine builder with proven marine experience about how fast you want to go, and then just let your budget be your limiting factor.
Chris

[superdave013]

Originally posted by DickDanger:
What kind of trouble have you had with the 496? I thought that was supposed to be a good setup??? -DD out
@ 4200 miles it broke a push rod
It also used lots of oil! I just turned 8,000 miles!
GM says it's normal for it to use UP TO 1 QT every 1,000 miles! That's bull shit to me. Mine's not that bad, it's using a QT every 3,500 or so. My '84 one ton GMC with well over 200,000 uses less oil then my brand new truck!
Oh, now that you've got me going I had trans trouble too! Towing my boat back from Barney's it puked trans fluid all over my new freaking gel coat! They said it had a worn out put bushing that was caused by just normal wear! I told 'em "Gee, parts don't last long on this new stuff do they"
I was born and raised in a GM town but when Toyota comes out with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton I might have to make the switch over to Jap. I can't believe I just typed that.

[Havasu Hangin']

Originally posted by superdave013:
...I was born and raised in a GM town but when Toyota comes out with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton I might have to make the switch over to Jap. I can't believe I just typed that.
While you're at it, you might as well sell the Schiada for a Sea Doo Islandia...
http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/happy25.gif