5.7 L Mercruiser
 

I have a 94 5.7L Mercruiser in my Talari 210, with Thunderbolt ignition, and I have been trying to find out how many HP it has? The owners manual does not say.

Also, does this ignition system have a set of points and a condenser, or is it electronic?

Thanks!

HP on the 5.7L is 260..

I believe the 350 mag puts out 300 HP.

No points or condenser on the Thunderbolt system. There is a senor module located either under the cap or on the side of the distributor, depending on which series system (IV or V) that you have.

5.7 with 2 barrel carb: 210 hp
5.7 LX with 4 barrel carb: 250 hp

I believe Thunderbolt ignition is always electronic.

thats odd, my 5.7 with 2bl carb states 250hp?

Depends on the year. Mike's 1994 is either 210hp or 250hp. Your 2000 is correct at 250hp. EFI would be 260hp and the Magnum would be 300hp.

I believe MerCruiser went through a stage in the early 90's that dropped horsepower ratings due to emissions or the way they measured them (prop shaft vs. crank shaft) but I don't remember which.

The '94 version of the 5.7L 2 bbl. still put out a lot of torque. It very well could be higher hp, just rated lower due to measuring techniques.

Mine is a 4 bl carb, so it must be 250hp.:wink_thumbup:

Thanks guys!

GM Vortex
 

The pre 96 5.7 was a totally different animal than the later Vortex 5.7. A lot of changes were made in head developement (roller rockers ect) as well as other things within the block and the upgrades in fuel management (higher rise in the intake manifolds) and ignitions. My buddy just put a new one in his 24 Julilee, it was rated at 295 hp with a 4 barrell. I believe it as it has more ass than my 96.
Don't sweat it though when you go to repower all you have to do is go from a mechanical to electric fuel pump and you can have one too.

Mike,
I think your engine is either 235 or 250 hp. I happen to have an original 1994 MerCruiser sales brouchure that was in all my documents that came with my boat. According to the brouchure, in the Alpha series, the 5.7L came in a "standard" version with a 4 barrel carb 4200 - 4600 RPM WOT. Does not show a 2 barrel offered in 1994.
Also available, and what I have, was a 350 Magnum/Alpha drive at 250 hp, also with a 4 barrel carb. If you have the Magnum, it will say "350 Magnum" on the plastic cover on top the engine. As others have said, the Magnum is an upgraded motor with forged internals, 4 bolt mains, roller tappet, etc.. Also, spins a little faster at 4400 - 4800 RPM WOT.
Either way, both are great motors that will last a long time if taken care of!
Hope this helps,
Paul

Thanks for all the info !:wink_thumbup: