Thread:

To supercharge or not to supercharge

Gary,
I have a 2006 29' Magic Wizard XL with a 496 HO and bravo 1, 1:50 ratio, 24P Bravo 4 blade. The boat runs a consistent 65 but I have seen 68 earlier in the season. I'm not looking for the fastest boat on the water but would love to run in the high 70's to low 80's. I have been reading about the procharger, whipple SC, Raylar kits and just basic boltons like headers (Dana, EMI, CMI, IMCO) and whipple stage 1 or 2. I want reliability and the most bang for the buck. Recommendations?
Thanks
Wizard

Hi there,

You want what everyone wants: A powerful motor that is reliable and is a good value. This is a pretty popular request these days.

Well, lets be right up front: The only real choices you have in my opinion are as follows:

1.Have Ray and Larry do a Raylar conversion for you

2.Have someone install a Supercharger for you

3.Trade in your motor on a new efi motor with a warranty

For #1 you will have to call Raylar direct for a quote. They are good guys and they know how to make your 496 wake up.

For #2 I would suggest a Whipple Supercharger kit and a set of Dana headers. That would be a nice package. You will get the results you are looking for(probably 12+ mph), but you need to have it installed by a professional for the optimum results. Cost? I could seed this running you in the neighborhood of $17K+ after it was all said and done(all parts, labor, hoses, strainers, prop, gauges, drive work? etc......) That's realistic(not including external full hydraulic steering)

For #3, at first it seems like a no brainer: Sell your motor for $8500 and buy a new motor for $25-$35K(depending on what you pick), but your gimbal is not the strongest, you need external steering, drive work, exhaust tails, and we are just getting started. This would be costly, but a good way to go with a warranted motor and a professional installation.
This will turn out to be $40K out of pocket EASILY.

The big question is, "How much do you have to spend"? If you don't have at LEAST $17K, you won't get your wish. I don't think, because it needs to be reliable. Reliable high end parts cost a lot of money, but they are worth it. You could bolt on a set of Dana headers and get yourself a good prop, and you will be knocking on the door of 70+ mph,,,,,,,,,,,,for just a few grand. Not a bad deal IMO.

Gary,
Thanks for the input, those speeds would be great but $17k is a bit much for weekend enjoyment IMO. However a few grand is reasonable to be knocking on the door of 70+ mph. Would you do anything else along with the Dana headers e.g.: whipple stage 1 or 2? What would be a good prop to go with?
Thanks,
Wizard

Originally Posted by Wizard

Gary,
Thanks for the input, those speeds would be great but $17k is a bit much for weekend enjoyment IMO. However a few grand is reasonable to be knocking on the door of 70+ mph. Would you do anything else along with the Dana headers e.g.: whipple stage 1 or 2? What would be a good prop to go with?
Thanks,
Wizard

If you are a "do it yourselfer" you will save a bunch of money, unless of course you do it wrong, then it cost much more

If you were going to run the Dana headers, you could probably get away with a 26 or 27 merc lab four blade for about 900-$975 new.
A stage 1 Whipple kit will cost you about $7200 for a black one. There is not a stage 2 for the 496HO. If you went the supercharged route, you would need even more prop pitch.

Sorry this is what I was refering to as stage 1 or 2 not the supercharger.

Stage 1 $849.99
The Whipple Stage 1 system is a computer recalibration that increases the maximum rpm level while maintaining a conservative timing curve for 87-octane gas. This calibration is designed to be conservative and reliable like stock, but a higher maximum rpm level for more prop selection. Stage 1 achieves only modest power increases such as 15 foot-pounds of torque and 10 horsepower.
Key features:
• 5450 RPM limit
• 87 octane safe
Stage 2 $899.99
The Whipple stage 2 maximizes the power output of the stock engine by running 91 octane or better, increasing the maximum spark advance, increased ignition power from the individual coils, denser air charge from the low temp thermostat, maximized air-fuel ratio in each individual cylinder and increased air flow from the hi-flow filter. Calibration increases torque levels throughout the entire rpm curve while making more peak hp for increased speeds.
Key features:
• Hi-performance PCM calibration
• Low-temp thermostat
• 5450 RPM limit
• 7% - 10% power increase over stock
• Increased acceleration with increased torque output

Sorry about that. Both of those set up's work well, especially with the headers too. They would get you some good power out of your 496. Just run the better gas and you will be good to go( on the stage 2). The drive will become the weak link, but will live if you take care of it. I have several customers with stock Bravo's and Bravo X's running HP500's and 525's for several years, troublefree. Call me or shoot me an e-mail if you would like to have any of this work done

Thanks

Gary (805)480-2693 gary@tpboats.com