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  1. #1
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    Mercury 496 HO Tuner....Any Experience ?

    Anyone have any experience tuning a stock Merc 496 Mag HO for more hp, speed, economy ?

    Magnum Smart Tune X

    Mine are stock and run on 87 pump gas
    Bravo One drives
    Bravo one 4 blade 26P props
    Current WOT speeds...70-72 @ 5000rpm
    Thank you !

  2. #2
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    2003 Baja Outlaw 33 SST

  3. #3
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    You can take it over 800 hp. Just limited by $$ and willing ness.

    As for just pcm tune I think raylar is the main tuner, but it’s like asking if superchip or diablo is better.

    Dbr brutco and simmons might have something as well.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Motv18 View Post
    You can take it over 800 hp. Just limited by $$ and willing ness.

    As for just pcm tune I think raylar is the main tuner, but it’s like asking if superchip or diablo is better.

    Dbr brutco and simmons might have something as well.
    Thank you I did look through the raylar site last night. He seemed to be very negative on the tuning aspect due to the possibility of detonation
    Which after reading his post it makes more sense. He sounds very knowledgeable on the subject but as well trying to sell his product. I guess I could go the route of $6,000 worth of exhaust to gain 42 horsepower yikes

  5. #5
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    True, theirs some good indoard info here. Just have to find them on

    the merc 8.1 has lots of potential.

  6. #6
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    For sure ... I really wish there was a less expensive alternative 4 aftermarket exhaust, they all seem to be around 1700 to 3000 per motor. That would be a nice little horsepower gain and they say 4 to 5 miles an hour.

  7. #7
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    Do you have the thru transom exhaust or or down the leg style.

    Occasionaly the long tube gm truck truck headers fit depends on several factors but their loud. Did it on a jet once as a drop in for an old 454. That’s my experience with the 496 and I was just a helper on it. But it was an open top with all kinds of room not even sure it was an HO version.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Motv18 View Post
    Do you have the thru transom exhaust or or down the leg style.

    Occasionaly the long tube gm truck truck headers fit depends on several factors but their loud. Did it on a jet once as a drop in for an old 454. That’s my experience with the 496 and I was just a helper on it. But it was an open top with all kinds of room not even sure it was an HO version.
    Thru transom exhaust

  9. #9
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    HP , speed and fuel economy ... ??? Those three never seem to work well together in the same sentence.

    Magnum Smart Tune X ... your kidding right .. ??? Their address is linked to a vacant lot and their parts look like they are studio props from a Godzilla movie ..

    If you think there is power left in the boxes , try someone like Whipple who actually flog's those big-block Chevies on the dyno to develop the tune-up's they sell.

    https://whipplesuperchargers.com/ind...&product_id=81

    Their custom calibrations lets you make real changes that work, cam , heads , exhaust , ect .. and lets you get dialed into your new combo ...

    https://whipplesuperchargers.com/ind...product_id=113

    BTW, how much .. other place take for POS spar-prug .. egg roll + wan-ton soup ?

  10. Likes JrCRXHF liked this post
  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chaz View Post
    HP , speed and fuel economy ... ??? Those three never seem to work well together in the same sentence.

    Magnum Smart Tune X ... your kidding right .. ??? Their address is linked to a vacant lot and their parts look like they are studio props from a Godzilla movie ..

    If you think there is power left in the boxes , try someone like Whipple who actually flog's those big-block Chevies on the dyno to develop the tune-up's they sell.

    https://whipplesuperchargers.com/ind...&product_id=81

    Their custom calibrations lets you make real changes that work, cam , heads , exhaust , ect .. and lets you get dialed into your new combo ...

    https://whipplesuperchargers.com/ind...product_id=113

    BTW, how much .. other place take for POS spar-prug .. egg roll + wan-ton soup ?
    Thank you so much......good info
    I agree, those 3 in the same sentence ...well at least hp and speed. However most tuners claim to give you all 3.. I'm just gathering all the info I can, I will make a decision over the winter.
    Boat runs great as is and very reliable.....not sure what I'm thinking. But when you have the speed itch it's hard to be content.

  12. #11
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    True, as for speed itch

    if your leg adjustable or fixed. If adjustable you can try it higher. Sometimes the ball wont take it though depending on the model. Playing with props can also get you +-2 or so.

    I was was able to get 10 on my outboard just getting prop and engine height good

  13. #12
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    I wouldn't even bother with them and build a pair of 540's on the side and use your boat in the mean time. Your not going to get 800 hp out of 496's ....easily. They didn't even make good truck motors.

  14. #13
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    I considered that for my 496-HO-Mag but not worth the $ for only 2mph and need to run premium fuel. Good news.. the 496 uses less fuel than my past 502-MAG(LOL)!
    Checkmate 2002 Convincor 270 496 MAG-HO

    2003 Cougar 22MTR w/300xs SOLD
    90 21Skater w/300xs - sold
    98 STV Euroski w/280 - sold


    2006 Trailblazer SS 6.0l 395hp

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