I'd go Raylar the 496HO is not the best blower candidate, especialy the newer models.

 

Has anyone modified a 496 Mag HO??????

 

forum member splinter pur a procharger on a 496/HO in a sunsation 288 he bought from me a few years ago.

 

From my understanding, the Raylar kit will gain you around 100hp. This is with the 525 kit.

I would do that first! I saw the Raylar parts installed on a 496 at Full Throttle Marine on one they did.
TOP NOTCH quality! You get a whole new motor top end, heads and everything.
FTM dynoed it and it was right on the 525hp mark.

I later saw them out on the lake where we talked, and the owner of the boat was all grins!! This was in a 28 Nordic Heat...

You could always Whipple or procharge that, if it's not enough!!
Kent

 

forum member splinter pur a procharger on a 496/HO in a sunsation 288 he bought from me a few years ago.

We have installed Prochargers on 496HO's and had good performance gains. Doug

 

Considering the costs are roughly the same for similar gains, I'd rather go with better internal parts (Raylar) than FORCE air and fuel down the throat of a motor not designer for the additional pressures (Blowers).
Also, Trick sells CMI exhaust that virtually guarantee 55hp out of your motor...

 

March's PB mag had an article with different upgrades and the approx. cost.

Just a thought....

It looks like whipple, procharger, raylar will all cost 6K++. What about removing the 496HO, either sell it, or keep as a spare, and have a 5-600HP motor built by a reputable shop?

You can probably get close to 10K for a LOW hour take out 496HO. Add the 6K+ you would spend on mods.......

 

Considering the costs are roughly the same for similar gains, I'd rather go with better internal parts (Raylar) than FORCE air and fuel down the throat of a motor not designer for the additional pressures (Blowers).
Also, Trick sells CMI exhaust that virtually guarantee 55hp out of your motor...

Some people are afraid of what they don't understand.These Auto motors weren't designed for Boats in the first place.

 

CMI 496 Header Package would add 55 - 60 HP by itself.

The new Midwest CMI Distributor:

www.atecoengines.com

 

I would go with the CMI route first and see how the motor responds and if it gives you the performance you are looking for. If it dosent, then go with the Raylar kit. Either way, if you install the Raylar kit first, your going to need a better flowing exhaust system anyway.