Can a 454 mercruser motor handle a 5.0 outdrive or should I be looking for a 5.7 outdrive now!?

Question

Thank you

Answer 1

Max the Alpha is rated for is 300 horsepower.

I'm guessing the 454 has more than that, and more importantly, lots more torque to boot.

No, the Alpha won't handle it for long.

Answer 2

The outdrive should handle it, you will loose a little horse power because its smaller. Just be easy! We also have the same boat with a 454 with a 5.0 outdrive. Its had it for the past 5 years and its doing fine. Sounds beautiful, runs beautiful just dont step on it. And the guy above me, pointed out many good tips!! Keep them in the back of your mind.

good luck

Answer 3

In actuality, MerCruiser DID use the 454/Alpha package in many boats until 1988 when the Bravo was introduced. However, many boaters found that they couldn't just "hit the throttle" and hammer up out of the hole like they wanted, because it would probably blow the outdrive. They also found that if the boat caught any airtime, if the drive came out of the water they'd immediately have to drop power...if they came back into the water with any power on the drive, it'd probably blow then, too. Sea Ray was very well known for using the 454/Alpha package on their "268 Sundancer." I have a customer that has one of these, only theirs has the 454 Magnum, but it's still running great on the original Alpha drive. The outdrive will handle the power, but you won't be able to hammer down out of the hole, and you'll want to watch out when it's rough so that the outdrive doesn't catch any air out of the water. Also, you'll want to get the proper upper drive gear ratio so that it performs like it should. If you decided to change to a Bravo, which would be much more reliable and will perform twice as good, you'll not only need to get the drive, but you'll need the entire transom assembly as well, including trim rams, bell housing, gimbal housing, gimbal ring, EVERYTHING. On top of that, you'll have to drill another hole, and possibly cut the transom cutout slightly larger as well. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Need more information to give assistance.  What are you trying to accomplish?  Do you have a 5.0 now and are you trying to replace it with a 454???   What Mercruiser drive do you have now?  Is it an Alpha or a Bravo drive unit?  What is year, model and length of boat that the 454 will be installed in?

Answer 5

I am not sure what your calling a 5.0 or a 5.7 outdrive. With a 454 you need a Bravo. Alpha wont handle the horses.