School me on a 96 Pro Max 225 please

[W2F a V-King]

I just recently acquired a 96 225 Mariner (Super Magnum) and being an old guy that has had many Merc V6's since 1977, this is my first EFI Merc.

What to do to it to get the most out of it, without loosing it's reliability? It's going on a lightened V-King...someday when I get done with the boat.

Right off the bat..I don't like the path the air has to take to get into the plenum and past the throttle blades. Seems like an afterthought. Might there be a way to put a horn on one? Or is it fine the way it is. Seems like a straighter path would be useful.

I am going to re-ring and bearing it, so it will be in pieces if there are some internal tweaks?
Best brand of rings and bearings, Gaskets? OEM?

Suggestions? Things I need to know about this motor and the EFI? Brucato ACU or PCU? I enjoy PCM tuning on cars/trucks so I am looking forward to this part for sure.

CC and shave the heads to 34cc? Or leave it at what ever the stock is..36/37cc?

It has what looks like a Torque Master lower with a Bob's cone kit..one hose not 2. Not sure if it is the OEM LU or not. Think it could have come with Sport or the Torque Master CLE? It does have a drilled prop shaft for a cotter key prop nut...that's a first for me.

Any idea where to find a brochure or advertisement for this mil?

I know it's a bunch of questions...Any and all suggestions please !!

Thank you,

James

[myron]

I would for the most part leave it stock, remove the oil injection, Vertex pistons, metal rod bearings, good rod bolts, 34cc heads, it should run close to 100 if setup right maybe more, very good motor, very reliable if done right.

[Baja170]

Talk to Tux. He is DA MAN on those motors.

[W2F a V-King]

Thank you!

I do want to keep it reliable and stock (ish) I know they run good. Did get to test ride this one before I bought it, and it does run strong. It does need some work and always looking for more hp..
Just curious what others have done to tweak these motors some.
I just can't take something apart and put it back together stock...

I have seen some of the motors Tux has done and sold here on S&F. Dauum..they look better than new, no doubt run better too!

Maybe he will read this thread and chime in..

James

[Baja170]

Tony TL Lido is DA MAN!!!

[90 5.0]

A horn will bolt up but it's not nessesary. Prostock 200's with laser injection turnn10k regularly. It's all about fuel map and tuning

[texasvector]

What Myron said

[tux974]

Baja, thanks for the kind words, just my motor of choice for many years!
W2F, not a teacher or a pro but I will give you MPO!

I'm also with Myron except the 34cc heads. Sure 34cc will work and work well but if your fueling with today's fuel is not up to spec (solid 93) every time out it could get dangerous.
Also make sure to take into consideration on the head CC's if your builder/machinist decks his blocks!!
Vertex would be first choice but the ProV's are not a bad option. Some guys on here have been running the MSN's with good results I just do not personal experience with them to provide feedback.
Good round bores and proper tolerances plus a knowledgeable builder are all key factors!
Like building a house, start with a good foundation.

Do keep in mind once you start tweaking for more power you start to gamble with reliability.
If you are not really going to tweak for a real noticeable HP gain just enjoy the stock and reliable motor.
This is only my personal opinion!

[outasite]

A good fresh well built "stock" Super Mag" will keep you busy for a while just learning to handle what it will put out on that hull.Later you mite do some head work,Brucato,ect.But a fresh build with attention to detail,and quality parts,will give ya a reliable strong motor.

[W2F a V-King]

Baja, thanks for the kind words, just my motor of choice for many years!
W2F, not a teacher or a pro but I will give you MPO!

I'm also with Myron except the 34cc heads. Sure 34cc will work and work well but if your fueling with today's fuel is not up to spec (solid 93) every time out it could get dangerous.
Also make sure to take into consideration on the head CC's if your builder/machinist decks his blocks!!
Vertex would be first choice but the ProV's are not a bad option. Some guys on here have been running the MSN's with good results I just do not personal experience with them to provide feedback.
Good round bores and proper tolerances plus a knowledgeable builder are all key factors!
Like building a house, start with a good foundation.

Do keep in mind once you start tweaking for more power you start to gamble with reliability.
If you are not really going to tweak for a real noticeable HP gain just enjoy the stock and reliable motor.
This is only my personal opinion!

Thank you for your recommendations and experience !!
I have seen some of your motors in pictures here, and attention to detail is a great attribute for an engine builder. Love the ROS Mariners..

It's one of the beauties of this site. So many with knowledge and experience that don't mind sharing.

I feel the same about the compression and pump gas. Although I do have a good source of no ethanol 93, and race gas not to far away, you never know when you will need some away from home and have to settle for less if nothing else than just to get back to the ramp been there and done that.

Thank you again,

James

[W2F a V-King]

A good fresh well built "stock" Super Mag" will keep you busy for a while just learning to handle what it will put out on that hull.Later you mite do some head work,Brucato,ect.But a fresh build with attention to detail,and quality parts,will give ya a reliable strong motor.

Thank you!

I want it to last for sure. I'm sure the seat time will be lengthy, albeit I have had a couple pad walkers in the past. Every boat seems to have it's own personality, and this is my first Stream.
Also installing hydraulic steering on this one...My other pad boats have always been dual cable...Liquid Steering is gonna take some getting used to .

I do have a stock carb 2.5 175 that came with the V-King. I was thinking of setting it on the boat when done just to get to know the boat. Then swap it out for the Super Mag

Thank you for your suggestions.


James

[outasite]

That 175 will get you solidly into the eighty's with the right setup.Not a bad place to be for the time being.

[W2F a V-King]

That's kinda what I was thinkin..like a set of training wheels until I get the feel of how she flies...

Since the mid-late 70's I have wanted a Stream.. First race I lost in 78 or 79 was to a Vector that had a 2.6L OMC 235 I think. I was sold...........
My little 15' Checkmate with a 77 Merc 1750 was no match for his rig. Once we got hooked up...he walked off.

Heck, there weren't that many guys with small boats with V6's back then that I remember. Most of the fun I had was running the jet boats with single carbs and the ol 455 olds motors...

It was all fun though

James