496HO Upgrade (CMI or Dana Headers)
Question for you.
I have a 2007 Ultra 26 Shadow deck with a 496 HO and want to add some additional power.
In your opinion, which the better:
The CMI Headers or the Dana Marine (EX-2000) 496 Flow Torque exhaust kit?
Lets hear the feedback, since I will be making this change this spring if all goes well.
2007 26' Ultra Shadow Deck
Check with Ultra 26#1, John, I think he has the CMI's on his Shadow Deck...
Both are nice. John has really been happy with the performance of his CMI's. I think the Dana's put up some good #'s as well and if I am not mistaken they are cheaper as well as easier to install.
Mike
Gonna have to sit on the fence on this one, because I like them both. Both of them work well, and look nice. Your decision should just come down to which one fits into your budget once the job is complete(meaning clamps tails/tips included), and which one you like the looks of better. It would be nice to hear some before and after speed gains from others that have done it with your style of boat.
Good luck
Gary
Gary -
Could your shop perfrom the install and what would the cost be out the door? I will know after the LA boat show what I am going to do (CMI or Dana), so between now and then I am trying to determine where I am going to have the work done.
Thanks
Rob
2007 26' Ultra Shadow Deck
Rob,
Yes, I can do a very nice job for you. Give me a call and we can talk about it.
(805)480-2693
Thanks
Gary
Good Advice
Rob,
One more thing. In my experience I have seen a lot of people(including myself) do modifications to there boats over the last 20 years. Both big and small modifications but they all had one thing in common. The customer had an idea about what he expected the boat to perform like after the modification was complete(before the job was started). Sometimes the customers are VERY realistic and sometimes they are not. Sometimes they will tell you up front, "I am expecting this boat to run XXX speed when the job is complete"! Sometimes they won't tell you at all(I always ask, but they do have an idea that they got from some source. MY POINT: Ask yourself what you would like out of your boat(performance wise) before you dump $5000+ dollars into it. You will get different opinions from different people. That is just the way the performance industry is,,,,,,,,,,,,but with enough research, you will find out what you need to know before you tap into the bank account.
Lastly: Make sure you understand how your modification can "branch" out to other "additional costs" new props, different drive, interior modifications, etc..............These things add up, and it's really nice to know them up front(if possible), or as soon as the "issue" is discovered by the shop performing the work.
Remember,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,these modifcations are supposed to be fun and not a headache. They truely can be fun for all parties involved.
Gary
To Whom it May Concern:TPI wrote:
Ask yourself what you would like out of your boat(performance wise) before you dump $5000+ dollars into it. You will get different opinions from different people. That is just the way the performance industry is,,,,,,,,,,,,but with enough research, you will find out what you need to know before you tap into the bank account.
Lastly: Make sure you understand how your modification can "branch" out to other "additional costs" new props, different drive, interior modifications, etc..............These things add up, and it's really nice to know them up front(if possible), or as soon as the "issue" is discovered by the shop performing the work.
Remember,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,these modifcations are supposed to be fun and not a headache. They truely can be fun for all parties involved.
Gary
The above statement is so true that many boaters looking to do modifications do not take into account the collateral effects a modification will have it's not a car were you can simply bolt on headers and exhaust and be good to go.
Adding 40-55 horsepower changes things in boating ie... drive longevity, prop changes, and temperment of the engine.
Gary aka TPI is one of the few in the marine industry that is up front about what a consumer should expect when modifications are done.
The caveat above is worth paying attention to---in the end when the calculations are done you will be scratching your head saying damn that cost me a lot more than I realized at the start.
Excellent post Mr. Taylor
Very truly yours,
KAP
P.S. I will keep the above statement in mind when I want to switch to a 305AX/MOAC combination---or maybe I will just borrow your avatar and be content.
Gary's touched on a great point here. What size prop are you currently running VS. rpm's? From what I remember, I think the 26 deck with a 496HO runs a 26 four blade.
Most likely after the exhaust install you'll need a 28 four blade, possibly a labbed 28 four blade.
The last 26 deck we did an exhaust install on had a four blade prop (can't remember the size) it was either a 24 or a 26. Anyways, it was on the rev limiter and it had to go up to the next size prop.
Things May Come To Those That Wait, But Only Things Left By Those That Hustle.
Thought I should chime in. I installed CMI's on my HO when my Ultra was 3 months old. The install, while not complicated, was time consuming. I paid $3800 for the exhaust with custom tails and spent $900 for a Merc labbed 28 . My boat now has 165 hours on it and so far all is well. My 26 on 2 occasions has GPS'd slightly over 80. I have no doubt that the exhaust and prop got me to those speeds (and a major head wind). It is my understanding that the Dana package produced similar HP and TQ increases with a much more simple install at a much more reasonable price. By all accounts, the Dana is a very good package as well. BTW, I did the CMI's prior to Dana releasing their system. With regard to increased engine and drive stress IMO, I don't believe that the HP and TQ increases generated by either system will reduce engine or drive life. Again this is just my opinion.
Very Best GPS speed pre CMI was 76.4 after 80.6. In average conditions the CMI's have netted a solid 3 to 3.5 mph increase
John M
PS Adding exhaust to and HO does not require any mods with the exception of possibly a bigger wheel. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute. With a 28 at 4000 I cruise near 60, which I love.
Last edited by Ultra26 # 1; 01-23-2008 at 11:18 AM. Reason: sp
Great numbers John! Like any big block, they need to breathe!
----Rob
Rob,Originally Posted by 92562
The HO with CMI's look and sound nice as well. Had the Danas been out, at the time, I may have gone that route. ?????
John
is there a dana booth at the boat show.
Yeah, we're there.
Things May Come To Those That Wait, But Only Things Left By Those That Hustle.
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
Digg This Thread