Boat currently has 1969 carbed 350s (points ignition) with the starboard engine and trans needing to be rebuilt. Going to cost $8000 to have the engine and transmission pulled, rebuilt, and installed. I have a pair of "low hour" 1990 (electronic ignition) carbed 454s with transmissions and cooling system I can get for $2500. Boat does have a flybridge so its a little heavier than original. Would it be worth it to go up to the 454 or should I stay with the 350s? I know more power means more fuel consumption but running lower RPMS with 454s over 350s would be how much more? 350 vs 454 reliability? Anyone with experience please chime in!
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Like Mike said, it is a tight fit with the center rise exhaust manifolds on the 454s because of the shaft angle (15 degrees) that CC used and the off set drop of the Paragon transmissions. If you have Velvet Drives on your 454s, that will drop the height 1.5 - 2 inches. You may get better fuel economy with the 454s because they won't be working as hard. I cruise at 16 - 17 mph and only turn 2600 rpm with the 2.5:1 reduction gears. The P34s were rated for 260 hp, but my cruise speed is under that according to the published hp curve.