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Whipple or procharger for a 496

L

Liquid Missle

Member
Looking to put one of those chargers on the 03 ZT260 and have a 496Mag (non HO). Looks like I need 2 and 3/4 clearance from the front of the engine to do this. Boat and engine have 210 hours on them.

Anyone have luck with either application and does anyone know of a qualified mechanic in the Northern Indiana area...I am 3 hours from Detroit or Chicago too.
 
PM Lcboater on this board. He runs a very strong running procharged 496 in a 30' Convinvor.
Good luck-
 
I would call Kunkel Marine 419–529-4446. Lots of experience with fast Checkmates and ProCharger. Outside of Mansfield Ohio. probably 2 or 3 hour drive from northern Indiana
 
oh boy this debate eventually pops up everywhere! lol

i like the whipple personally.....the efi is unbeatable and the install is much cleaner than the procharger...doesnt junk up you engine bay. their kits are the most complete and easy to install that ive ever seen and the tech dept is great...the tech dept at procharger was a bit un organized when i was doing my install...but they were helpfull....the procharger kit just has so damn many differen t parts and hoses and brackets and spacers.....

go whipple....you wont be sorry.

but thats just my opinion....either one will get the job done....but you will be happier with the whipple efi setup.
 
2tonchevy said:
oh boy this debate eventually pops up everywhere! lol

i like the whipple personally.....the efi is unbeatable and the install is much cleaner than the procharger...doesnt junk up you engine bay. their kits are the most complete and easy to install that ive ever seen and the tech dept is great...the tech dept at procharger was a bit un organized when i was doing my install...but they were helpfull....the procharger kit just has so damn many differen t parts and hoses and brackets and spacers.....

go whipple....you wont be sorry.

but thats just my opinion....either one will get the job done....but you will be happier with the whipple efi setup.
Click to expand...

Only thing I was concerned about was that Whipple said I had to make my own fuel lines and I will not be doing it myself. Just was looking for a lead on a good mechanic to do this or would a MerCruiser dealer be able to handle it ok.
 
Kunkels can handle whipple or procharger. New fuel lines are not that big of a deal but most mercruiser dealers that don't deal with high performance stuff I would stay away from.

How much boost are you thinking about going with? The 496 can be boosted safely by the right people but things to keep in mind are that your motor has cast pistons and the ring gap is usually tight for boost. With 210 hours on your engine it may be worn in enough for ring gap to not be an issue. The biggest failure point of those cast pistons tends to be improper ring gap for boosted applications. Tends to bust the ring lands off the piston from too small ring gap to compensate for the added cylinder heat/pressure.

PM lcboater, he has numerous hours on his procharged 496 HO trouble free and knows the motor inside and out.
 
I think its a bad move...those engines pretty much junk....won't last long with either in my opinion...sure some will disagree but seen to many fail on their own...
 
ezstriper said:
I think its a bad move...those engines pretty much junk....won't last long with either in my opinion...sure some will disagree but seen to many fail on their own...
Click to expand...

the 496 isnt the best candidate for boost thats for sure. theres no room for error on cast internals....

can it be done??? sure. hell ive seen roots blowers makin 20 psi on 330 mercruisers that lasted waaaaay longer than i woulda thought.....but its a thin line....

i dont like forced air personally......
 
I have to 3rd the opinion to call Kunkel's Marine. They just sent out another procharged 496 in a 300 that runs very well!! The procharger will be a lot easier on your drive as well with it making most of its power in the higher rpm's. Whipples are bad ass, but they make a ton of torque down low, which if you aren't careful, will eat the drive.

You can't go wrong with either really. My dad runs a Whipple, I have a ProCharger. I personally like the looks of a ProCharger under that hatch way better than a whipple, and a ProCharger will be A LOT cheaper for a brand new kit. Call Kunkel's, they always give people a great deal on that stuff and do top notch installs!!!
 
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