Carbed 454 to 525 efi conversion

[rbhudelson]

The 4 454 400's in my Cary are getting long in the tooth and I'm going to have to do something after next season. Actually, I should be doing something this season but that would be stupid... So the question I have is this:

Should I be watching the classified ads and pick up 4 525's for a great price or pay retail to have my 4 slugs rebuilt? I suspect the 525's use a different wiring harness and a lot of other electronic stuff that is not currently on my 454's. So it could be that someone could give me 4 525's and it still cost me more than rebuilding my own motors in rigging costs.

Specifics: 4 454 400hp, Quadrajet Carb, Velvet Drive, TRS

Ideas?

 

[masher44]

punt

 

[rbhudelson]

punt

that wasn't very nice. but probably good advice.

 

[jryan26]

Go to freaks and look at Ambushers 496 build up. You can get 600+ fairly reasonably out of your old stuff..

 

[ROGUE]

I would think a set of 502 efi's would save enough in fuel to make them worthwhile. The extra C.I. wont hurt either.

 

[Sea-Dated]

Call Brad and ask him.





He will tell you to punt as well.:biggrinjester:

 

[rbhudelson]

Call Brad and ask him.





He will tell you to punt as well.:biggrinjester:

He would be doing the freshen on the current or the installation of the new engines.

But the whole point is how much 'extra' work would be involved to go to the 525's over that of rebuilding mine.

 

[VetteLT193]

are you stuck on going EFI? Meaning, are you trying to either buy new EFI engines or convert yours to EFI?

Properly tuned the carbs are going to be competitive with EFI as far as fuel mileage is concerned... not as good, but competitive. With that said, you can do regular rebuilds and save a ton of money over going 525's.

If you are seriously thinking of spending the coin on 4 525's I'd at least give a diesel conversion a look. Yanmars in there sure would run good.

 

[rbhudelson]

are you stuck on going EFI? Meaning, are you trying to either buy new EFI engines or convert yours to EFI?

Properly tuned the carbs are going to be competitive with EFI as far as fuel mileage is concerned... not as good, but competitive. With that said, you can do regular rebuilds and save a ton of money over going 525's.

If you are seriously thinking of spending the coin on 4 525's I'd at least give a diesel conversion a look. Yanmars in there sure would run good.

would love the yanmars, which is what the boat needs anyway but that gets into stupid money doing that kind of conversion.

The only reason I asked the original question is because, due to the state of the economy, I think I would be able to pick of 4 525's for a steal. But, if the conversion, rigging etc would out weigh the "steal" on the engines then rebuilding would be the way to go.

thats all I'm asking here. Is the conversion from my current setup to 525's going to require (a lot) more rigging costs than just simply unbolting my current stuff, rebuilding and then dropping back in.

thanks in advance,
brad

 

[Griff]

525EFI's with reasonable hours are going for 35-40k a pair. You might want to consider 496HO's since they will require less maint. and will be more fuel efficient.

 

[Ratickle]

525EFI's with reasonable hours are going for 35-40k a pair. You might want to consider 496HO's since they will require less maint. and will be more fuel efficient.

I don't think anything will be "Fuel efficient" in a Cary. HotRodder's burns so much I think we could take a fleet instead. It sure is nice for the room though.

 

[Bradz]

525's will be $18,000-20,000 each used. Rebuilding yours will be around $5,000 each. For a few bucks more you can convert your engines to 496's that will make more power than the 525EFI's. The 525EFI are self contained and will plug right into your harness. You will need to consider the exhaust which can get expensive. There are no "steals" in 525EFI's. They are like gold right now. I just a set and a lot of people were after them.
Call Ateco engines in Waukegan IL he can guide you in the right direction.

 

[rbhudelson]

perfect. that is exactly what I was looking for.

thanks brad

 

[rbhudelson]

I don't think anything will be "Fuel efficient" in a Cary. HotRodder's burns so much I think we could take a fleet instead. It sure is nice for the room though.

Ratickle, how is HotRodder and his Cary doing?