Merc 520.

[BR44]

Talked with Gene at Howard today and it looks like this is the powerplant we are going to use. Anyone have any feedback on these units?

http://http://www.mercuryracing.com/sterndrives/hp520.php

 

[BajaMike]

Looks nice! What boat is it going in?

 

[BR44]

Looks nice! What boat is it going in?

One of Howard Custom 288 Boats.

 

[idk]

Nice did you buy the blue one that they just finished the top on? When I was the a few weeks ago he was pushing the 565. I want to but my boss won't let me pull the pin on one yet.

 

[BR44]

Nice did you buy the blue one that they just finished the top on? When I was the a few weeks ago he was pushing the 565. I want to but my boss won't let me pull the pin on one yet.

I did buy the blue one. My promise to my boss was not to get out of control on this one. I'm hoping the 520 turns out to be a good compromise.

 

[idk]

That thing is beautiful, Gene was giving a good deal on it I wish I could have. I think the 600 is ideal power for that boat, I was going to settle on the 565 because of price Merc was had a good deal on that engine I don't know if it has expired yet.
Roger

 

[the510]

Do the 540 or 565 while you still can!

 

[robby dmax]

Do the 540 or 565 while you still can!

+1
step up to the 540 or the 565 or even a 600 in a boat like that the for the resale in the future..

 

[BR44]

+1
step up to the 540 or the 565 or even a 600 in a boat like that the for the resale in the future..

The 565 or 600 are bigger and better for sure. Had a long talk with Gene after he spoke with Merc Racing. He explained the difference between the 520 and the 540 or more acuratly the similarities between the two. Gene and I agreed after he spoke with the Merc guys and getting this info that the bump from the 520 to the 540 probably wasn't worth it.

My other boat I took the small block out and did what every other guy I know does and dropped a big block in...:champagne: when I ordered this boat my wife made me promise not to go overboard on the powerplant. this will be up at powell and some reliability was a concern. We still have very young kids and another on the way. The 600 got voted out :grumble:

 

[BR44]

Do the 540 or 565 while you still can!

I'll reach out to Gene again to go over these options one more time. The 565 I think would be a great choice.

 

[robby dmax]

I'll reach out to Gene again to go over these options one more time. The 565 I think would be a great choice.

then I would look long and hard at the 565 great motor you will never look back.. how much more is the 565 over the 520?? the 565 will have the best resale just like a 525..
565 will run on 89..hard to beat. and the 565 looks great that's the best part.. just my 2cents. Gene cant get another 525efi for you??
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...plete_package_new_listing_2014-o56958-en.html.
here is a brand new 525 efi for $30.000 that would be nice ticket...525efi runs on 87..


I went from a 496ho to a 525efi best thing ever then did a whipple supercharger on the 525

 

[BR44]

Gene cant get another 525efi for you??
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...plete_package_new_listing_2014-o56958-en.html.
here is a brand new 525 efi for $30.000 that would be nice ticket...525efi runs on 87..


I went from a 496ho to a 525efi best thing ever then did a whipple supercharger on the 525

I was told the 525 was no longer available. Since it was not an option I never compared the 525 to the 520/540 motors. So I'm not sure how all that falls into place. Ill let you know how this pans out later today.

 

[BHC Vic]

Difference between 496 and 502 is 5hp don't no if that would would b the same?

 

[robby dmax]

I was told the 525 was no longer available. Since it was not an option I never compared the 525 to the 520/540 motors. So I'm not sure how all that falls into place. Ill let you know how this pans out later today.

525 efi are not made anymore...here is two of them for sale brand New 2014 models
And a pretty good deal..

 

[idk]

Gene was getting a deal on the 565 which made it worth getting over the 520. The only draw back with the 565 is the throttle body's on top of the intake.

 

[Q4mtxUS]

The 565 or 600 are bigger and better for sure. Had a long talk with Gene after he spoke with Merc Racing. He explained the [B]difference between the 520 and the 540 or more acuratly the similarities between the two. [/U[/B]]Gene and I agreed after he spoke with the Merc guys and getting this info that the bump from the 520 to the 540 probably wasn't worth it.

My other boat I took the small block out and did what every other guy I know does and dropped a big block in...:champagne: when I ordered this boat my wife made me promise not to go overboard on the powerplant. this will be up at powell and some reliability was a concern. We still have very young kids and another on the way. The 600 got voted out :grumble:

What is the difference/similarity between 520/540?

Is it cam profile?
- Does the 520 have a "smooth" idle that sounds like 8.2HO?
- Does the 540 have more of a loping idle like 525?

Is it the exhaust system?
- Could a 520 exhaust be routed through the prop?
- - Like, totally through the prop. Like 502's and the former 496's? - You know...Like, Bayliners & Larsons & Glastrons oh my?

Is it warranty?
- 2 year for 520
- 1 year for 540

Just curious what the differences are between these two. I like them all, just don't know enough about them.

RB

 

[BR44]

What is the difference/similarity between 520/540?

Just curious what the differences are between these two. I like them all, just don't know enough about them.

RB

This sums it up the best so far.

http://www.performanceboats.com/content/586-mercury-racing-540-next-logical-step.html

 

[BR44]

then I would look long and hard at the 565 great motor you will never look back.. how much more is the 565 over the 520?? the 565 will have the best resale just like a 525..
565 will run on 89..hard to beat. and the 565 looks great that's the best part./QUOTE]



I'm going with the 565 after all. With the lakes we use and their altitude I don't want to chance it being a slug with a full load. Hopefully they can assemble one in short order. As of today they don't have any ready to ship.

The 565 is around 11k more than the 520.

 

[BajaMike]

then I would look long and hard at the 565 great motor you will never look back.. how much more is the 565 over the 520?? the 565 will have the best resale just like a 525..
565 will run on 89..hard to beat. and the 565 looks great that's the best part./QUOTE]



I'm going with the 565 after all. With the lakes we use and their altitude I don't want to chance it being a slug with a full load. Hopefully they can assemble one in short order. As of today they don't have any ready to ship.

The 565 is around 11k more than the 520.

Sounds like its worth it. If you boat a lot in Powell, you will like the bigger power. The altitude is a killer. On my small block I used to have to prop down at Lake Powell for good performance with a heavy load.

Good luck, it sounds like you will have a great setup!

 

[Q4mtxUS]

This sums it up the best so far.

http://www.performanceboats.com/content/586-mercury-racing-540-next-logical-step.html

Helpful indeed. Thank you and hopefully a build thread about your 288 will be posted much like B-RAD77's Bullet build. Would be nice to see it come together.

 

[the510]

Great! I think the 565 is the best choice! It will definitely help with resale, but most of all it seems a little more fit for that size and quality of a boat! When your ready to sell let me know. I should be looking to upgrade from my howard 25 bullet in about 5 years!