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View Full Version : What drop-in engine for my boat?



zimm17
01-18-2009, 12:04 PM
Well my dad is looking at re-powering my boat while it's sitting in his backyard for the next 3 years while I'm in Hawaii.

My 454 is complete junk. I do have a good whipple blower and dana marine exhaust. I don't want to re-use the accessories, they are from 1996 and looking pretty tired.

He just wants a motor to run and get out on the water. I want to be able to go 80mph when I get back.

I don't mind chipping in some money too to get the right motor off the bat so I'm not swapping it out in 3 years. Plus it'll be a hard sell with the wife to swap out a running engine.

I'm thinking about some options:

-Find a later model 502EFI takeout and run it with my exhaust. Then I can add my blower in 3 years and run it 'til it blows.

-Used 500EFI, hook up my closed loop cooling, and sell my whipple blower to make up for the price increase.

-Have a shop build up a new 502- but then I'm stuck with my old 1996 era accessories and v-belts.

-496HO takeout- but not a good engine to upgrade. Worried about wire harness compatabilites too.

Any other ideas?

osur866
01-18-2009, 12:16 PM
One of them there 540's that the Harbormaster has in the parts section might do the trick.

fasttrucker
01-18-2009, 12:56 PM
The shop I use has a 454-450hp.He would make you a good deal on it.Baltimore md.tony 410-335-2226.You could bolt it right in using the exhaust you have now.

zimm17
01-18-2009, 01:40 PM
The guys on OSO are saying 500 EFI is the way to go. I'm starting to agree. Where's the best place to look for one? OSO classifieds are the only place I've seen them in the past...

Air 22
01-18-2009, 02:07 PM
My 502 is sold I think:crossfing: the interested party gave me $2500 deposit last week and the remaining $5500 comes @ the end of Jan. IF...that doesnt happen I'll let ya know if ur still looking. Engine is pulled and ready to ship.

BTW I found my HP500EFI on OSO and sold my 502 on OSO...:wink: I got the 500 for a great deal w CMI's complete drop in :pimp: Down the road I'm thinking of a Whipple too..:cool:

MDonziM
01-18-2009, 04:22 PM
I should have a stock 96' 502 with I'm guessing 450hrs or so out of my 22 in a month or so. Should just need some freshening up , haven't thought about the price.

zimm17
01-18-2009, 05:26 PM
My 502 is sold I think:crossfing: the interested party gave me $2500 deposit last week and the remaining $5500 comes @ the end of Jan. IF...that doesnt happen I'll let ya know if ur still looking. Engine is pulled and ready to ship.
BTW I found my HP500EFI on OSO and sold my 502 on OSO...:wink: I got the 500 for a great deal w CMI's complete drop in :pimp: Down the road I'm thinking of a Whipple too..:cool:

Yup, the 500EFI is the engine I want. Can you PM me what you paid for it? Just so I know what up against. There's one on there for $10k right now. Need to find out how much my dad is thinking about putting in on it.

Pismo
01-18-2009, 06:26 PM
Make sure the valvetrain on that HP500 has been fixed up.

fasttrucker
01-19-2009, 01:51 PM
The shop I use has a 454-450hp.He would make you a good deal on it.Baltimore md.tony 410-335-2226.You could bolt it right in using the exhaust you have now.
Iam thinking you should offer him $4,000.But if you have 10k sitting around go for the extra 50hp and get a 500.

zimm17
01-19-2009, 01:58 PM
I talked with my dad. If we can find a low hour 500EFI for under $10k, he'll front the $$$ and get it installed, then I pay him back when I get back from Hawaii. That way we're only putting in the engine once. Then I might sell off my whipple kit- but who knows.

Last Real Texan
01-19-2009, 05:51 PM
Great choice....Valves springs @250 Hours and let it run....That boat will love it and you can hold it WFO all day long! :smileybo:

Tex

Air 22
01-19-2009, 06:05 PM
I talked with my dad. If we can find a low hour 500EFI for under $10k, he'll front the $$$ and get it installed, then I pay him back when I get back from Hawaii. That way we're only putting in the engine once. Then I might sell off my whipple kit- but who knows.

You will luv the HP500EFI....:yes::kingme:

VetteLT193
01-19-2009, 06:08 PM
my brother has a cheap big block for sale in the classifieds that will do the trick. even though he states 425 HP based on the build it should be in the 500+ area.

(donzi2287 is my brother)

BigGrizzly
01-19-2009, 07:51 PM
Zim, since I under stand your situation I would go either hp500 efi or a std 502 efi, either way it will get the job done with a SC and dance at 80. Get something your Dad doesn't have to mess with.

zimm17
01-19-2009, 10:43 PM
Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to try and sell it as-is until summer. If it doesn't go, then I can look at putting a 500EFI into it.


Since it'll be at least 3 years before I see the boat again, that makes the most sense. Plus my wife says we can get a boat that'll be more useful to us in the future- planning on some kids and want to take the dog boating. Maybe a ZF or formula bowrider, or something like that- but that's a topic for another day.

fasttrucker
01-21-2009, 01:36 PM
Good luck selling it.Now that we have a new leader:toiletpap Iam sure the economy will pick up>:popcorn: