496HO in a 22 classic

[chiefbigwin]

Hi there! I am new to this board and new to the Donzi World. Just started looking last year and have made my mind up to purchase a 22 Classic. It is one sexy looking boat!

Does anyone out there currently own or know someone that has this boat with a 496HO? I am interested to know about top end on a factory model (no speed improvement products added). I am figuring around 80MPH, or is that exaggerated?

Anything else I need to know about this boat or motor?

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

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[FASTEDDIE]

For model year 2001 I understand the dealers are quoting with that engine package depending on water temperature etc a range from 74 to 78 MPH. At 80 MPH you start to run out of hull with the 22 Classic.Then you need Land and Sea extentions and remove bennet tabs and put on big "K" tabs and it starts getting hairy.

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FASTEDDIE

[chiefbigwin]

I guess really the 496HO and the 502 are about the same for speed, just the 496 is a new design concept. The 425 HP of the 496 doesn't really help this hull unless you modify the boat.

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[Donzitester]

Stay away from any 496 mag HO as Mercury has
recalled them due to push rod problems.
Valves hitting pistons ect.
go with the 502 or 500 EFI.

[Peter Beck]

I am very happy with my 502 and it seem to run around 73-75 MPH.

[BigGrizzly]

I agree with the 502, much more stuff out for it. Its tried and true and is pretty bullet proof. I did have the choice and picked the 502 for the above reasons.

Randy

[RickSE]

I'd go with the 496, better electronics, better induction system and a better cooling system, comes standard with closed cooling. The pushrod problem was only for a small batch of motors and has been fixed.

[jaroot]

Speaking of running out of hull, what are the limitations on the 16's? I've only had mine a few years and i'm still getting used to it's sometimes volitale behavior... i've never operated a boat that chine walks as bad as this... i am used to heavier with bout the same power and pretty tame natured... get up around 40, punch it and when you trim her out (1/4 out) a bit and get into the low 50's it's like being on a teeter totter if you so much as get into any chop, even happens on pretty flat water come to think of it... likes to porpoise too if you have it trimmed out any fair amount... not to mention making any hard turns... sorta freaky the first time or two that you hit her too sharp too fast and you almost put the deck in the water. Finally when runnin off plane.. idle or 1000 - 1500 rpm she likes to bow steer, everything is tight as a drum on the sterndrive... you guys with all that knowledge and experience have any tips and suggestions? i'd love to hear some of it... plus, what do any of ya with a mildy worked over small block (250 to 275 range) in a 16 and an alpha run for a prop? at 210 she'll turn the 19 Vengance about 45- 4600 trimmed out on flat water. but she's been warmed up for the summer and i have yet to toss her in and see what she turns for rpm's with the current prop.

thanks eh

[smokediver]

the 16 i have runs mid 50's turning a 24 pitch stilleto at 5000 rpm. my drive ratio is 1.81. there is a guy in my town with a 350 mag. in his 16. it runs in the 70's. my boat is bouncy too, especially when i ' ve got some friends in the back. i guess tabs would help that. overall, i am very happy with her. i would like to get the 18 but hey we fireman have limited budgets, but one day alice!!!

[jaroot]

My alpha has a 1.47 ratio. If a 350 Mag at 300 hp pushes a 16 to 70 that is impressive as hell (and not all that difficult or expensive to obtain). If anything it would sure be an exciting ride... I don't exactly know how much you pick up for say a 25 hp increment increase in this light of a boat... Donzi rates the 16 at 2400 lbs i believe but by the time you add fuel and the driver and other fluids and miscellaneous things you are probably closer to 2800. makes ya wonder if he doesn't have that magnum stoked a bit. i reckon we'll know next week what i'll need for a prop... figure a 21 Mirage+ should do it unless i pick up a ton of RPM from the boat gods above for some reason... does the thunderbolt 5 have a rev limiter in it? my motor is rated at 4200 - 4600 WOT (5.7L previously a 2V, 210 hp?).

[roadtrip2]

I have a 502 2001 22 Classic and love it.

[DONZIMAN2]

I have about 10 hours on my new 26ZX with the 496HO. The rigging is awesome. The motor feels strong although I am still in the break in period. Once I get past that I look forward to seeing how it will do. The boat handles/rides awesome.

[Peter Beck]

Hey Roadtrip did you ever have a chance to check or dial in your 502?

[BigGrizzly]

Its time to clear the air on the pushrod problem. Talked to someone in with the engineers at Chevy. It was really the rocker arms not the push rods the poor fit would take the ball end off the push rods. There were only a few but the fixed alot just to keep the wolves off their back.

Garry Grimes auto machine has a couple of new hopped up 496s that have 530 hp and around 600 lbs of torque for sale. there carbureted, came out of a new 38 footer. the guw wanted 900 hp engines instead, now Grimes needs to sell these. If interested let me Know I'll give you the phone number. DOn't know what he wants for them thoe

Randy



[This message has been edited by BigGrizzly (edited 05-25-2001).]

[chiefbigwin]

Thanks for the input guys. I have decided to stick with the 496HO. I am ordering it tomorrow. I want a 2002, so I am going to have to wait for it. I am sure that by the time that I get my boat, any problems with the 496HOs will be hammered out.

Should I order K-Planes, or do the trim tabs do an adequate job? Please respond by tomorrow at noon as I will be at the dealer at 3:00PM. Thanks

[roadtrip2]

Cheifbigwin,
You will enjoy your new boat. My 2001 has everything, but the k-planes. I have had several boats with k-planes, but tabs in general aren't of much use on the 22. I rarely find the need for them, so I would spend your money on other options and the trailer.

Peter Beck,
Ran with Frank C on the last run of the AOTH back to Jamestown on Saturday. He GPSed me at 72. Better, but I want more. I feel that I am driving the boat properly, I run light, and have tried every trim combo. I was told 73-75 and I am not seeing that.
Maybe a lab prop, maybe a whipple, maybe just more motor; we will have more speed for AOTH II brother!!!!!!!!!!

[chiefbigwin]

Thank you for your quick response Roadtrip2! That is great advice, I will take it.

CB

[DONZIMAN2]

I had the recall done on the push rods. It was the balls that were separating. The motor runs strong. Go with the 496. The enhancements are significant. This motor package is the future for GM/Merc. Legacy motors are being taken over by technology and new developments in the industry.

[RickR]

For inshore boating the 9x12 tabs are fine but I just replaced my 9x12s with 12x12s for playing in the Gulf.
K-Planes are overkill unless you plan on big speeds.

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RICKR
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