Blown Motor VP 380

[Big Block Power]

Yes I’m certainly a JG fan too. I loved my R5 with the 520. I believe I had one of the few ever made. Owned it for 3 years. Was a 65mph boat. Didn’t have the hole shot of the newer VPs but above 3k rpm it just took off like nuts and sounded amazing. Probably was it was loud, always. I installed switchable mufflers on it which helped but it was still very loud at idle. I loved that boat but I also wanted something bigger that was more comfortable and that I could overnight on every so often. If they did 520s with a true CC system that would be a done deal.

We saw your boat advertised from the dealer. It's posted on here. It was a beauty.

[tgrace98]

Yes I’m certainly a JG fan too. I loved my R5 with the 520. I believe I had one of the few ever made. Owned it for 3 years. Was a 65mph boat. Didn’t have the hole shot of the newer VPs but above 3k rpm it just took off like nuts and sounded amazing. Probably was it was loud, always. I installed switchable mufflers on it which helped but it was still very loud at idle. I loved that boat but I also wanted something bigger that was more comfortable and that I could overnight on every so often. If they did 520s with a true CC system that would be a done deal.

I was told by cobalt they won’t do 520’s anymore. It’s a shame or my r7 would have one.

[NautiGirl]

Yes I’m certainly a JG fan too. I loved my R5 with the 520. I believe I had one of the few ever made. Owned it for 3 years. Was a 65mph boat. Didn’t have the hole shot of the newer VPs but above 3k rpm it just took off like nuts and sounded amazing. Probably was it was loud, always. I installed switchable mufflers on it which helped but it was still very loud at idle. I loved that boat but I also wanted something bigger that was more comfortable and that I could overnight on every so often. If they did 520s with a true CC system that would be a done deal.

I was told by cobalt they won’t do 520’s anymore. It’s a shame or my r7 would have one.

I thought they had told Matt and BBP they would do it if you showed them the money. You just have to pay them enough money to cover all the warranty work the engine is going to need over its lifetime right?

Hell just have Uncle BBP call up his buddy Pax and it will get done.

[cmattj]

Sorry to hear .
I guess if something is going to fail it usually does right away. As these usually are bullet proof.
Still curious if it lost a valve spring retainer or lock? Maybe broken valve spring? ( just being mechanically curios).
Regardless at least the twins got you safely home, and that beaut will be back in action soon!

[cmattj]

Yes I’m certainly a JG fan too. I loved my R5 with the 520. I believe I had one of the few ever made. Owned it for 3 years. Was a 65mph boat. Didn’t have the hole shot of the newer VPs but above 3k rpm it just took off like nuts and sounded amazing. Probably was it was loud, always. I installed switchable mufflers on it which helped but it was still very loud at idle. I loved that boat but I also wanted something bigger that was more comfortable and that I could overnight on every so often. If they did 520s with a true CC system that would be a done deal.

I was told by cobalt they won’t do 520’s anymore. It’s a shame or my r7 would have one.

I thought they had told Matt and BBP they would do it if you showed them the money. You just have to pay them enough money to cover all the warranty work the engine is going to need over its lifetime right?

Hell just have Uncle BBP call up his buddy Pax and it will get done.

The President said it as we’ve heard before 3 things.
The complex rigging ( back when hydraulic steering was mandatory with the 500 and 525 efi was time consuming, and extremely tricky for thier helms.
Special exhaust that mercury demanded certain exits, and cmi headers to be located for reversion, and the list of challenges grew with the low freeboard and room.

And lastly
The general public has no understanding about a true low tension oil ring race motor.
Normal oil consumption of 1 qt in 100 gallons was hard for people to understand. He Said you couldn’t build enough cost in the risk for Mercury warranty, and average dealers didn’t want to deal with them in the after sale.

The 520 was a much better attempt at bringing back a performance engine with normal exhaust, and improved longevity, but it too got limited as once again merc made demands.
So now??
Case by case we were told. As you would have to understand what your getting into with the extra 100hp. And beg someone you won’t complain
Is it worth it?!? Oh Yesss! Is the 8.2. HO a long term good option to have?! Definitely.

[Big Block Power]

Yea did it drop a valve into the piston and a rod go through the block. So was this a stock unit at the dealer. Seeing you had a 520 I would have thought you would put twin 430s in her if you ordered it? Or surprised you didn't go with twin 8 2 Mercs?

[jgordonwin]

I assume it dropped a valve and a rod went through but I should know more soon. The 520 was a great motor, never had any issues and it doesn’t require much different maintenance that the reg 8.2. It should also last as long. My old R5 is actually being sold to a close friend of mine. Also cobalt only puts VPs in the A36 and almost all have the 380s. This was an in stock boat and didn’t want to wait to build one plus it wouldn’t have been worth the cost as I was told it would make a 1-2mph difference on a boat this heavy so it wasn’t worth it. With the twin 380s she ll run right at 50, another mph or two isn’t a big deal. On my lake there were only certain areas on certain days where it was calm enough to run the R5 faster than 35 due to chop. If I was on a calm lake I would have kept it no question

[Big Block Power]

I assume it dropped a valve and a rod went through but I should know more soon. The 520 was a great motor, never had any issues and it doesn’t require much different maintenance that the reg 8.2. It should also last as long. My old R5 is actually being sold to a close friend of mine. Also cobalt only puts VPs in the A36 and almost all have the 380s. This was an in stock boat and didn’t want to wait to build one plus it wouldn’t have been worth the cost as I was told it would make a 1-2mph difference on a boat this heavy so it wasn’t worth it. With the twin 380s she ll run right at 50, another mph or two isn’t a big deal. On my lake there were only certain areas on certain days where it was calm enough to run the R5 faster than 35 due to chop. If I was on a calm lake I would have kept it no question

Thank you. That's interesting. I wonder why Cobalt is only using the Volvo for that platform. Man Merc really ticked them off. That's a shame. In Nascar every extra mph counts
I think it was under powered and needs a 430.
If I'm feeling better Mercury is having there employee family tour tomorrow. If I'm feeling better by Tommorow I'll be going and I will ask them this question. Sure they make boats too but this is crazy.

[ajcampen]

I assume it dropped a valve and a rod went through but I should know more soon. The 520 was a great motor, never had any issues and it doesn’t require much different maintenance that the reg 8.2. It should also last as long. My old R5 is actually being sold to a close friend of mine. Also cobalt only puts VPs in the A36 and almost all have the 380s. This was an in stock boat and didn’t want to wait to build one plus it wouldn’t have been worth the cost as I was told it would make a 1-2mph difference on a boat this heavy so it wasn’t worth it. With the twin 380s she ll run right at 50, another mph or two isn’t a big deal. On my lake there were only certain areas on certain days where it was calm enough to run the R5 faster than 35 due to chop. If I was on a calm lake I would have kept it no question

Thank you. That's interesting. I wonder why Cobalt is only using the Volvo for that platform. Man Merc really ticked them off. That's a shame. In Nascar every extra mph counts
I think it was under powered and needs a 430.
If I'm feeling better Mercury is having there employee family tour tomorrow. If I'm feeling better by Tommorow I'll be going and I will ask them this question. Sure they make boats too but this is crazy.

Please report back with an answer!

[shrfdeputy]

I assume it dropped a valve and a rod went through but I should know more soon. The 520 was a great motor, never had any issues and it doesn’t require much different maintenance that the reg 8.2. It should also last as long. My old R5 is actually being sold to a close friend of mine. Also cobalt only puts VPs in the A36 and almost all have the 380s. This was an in stock boat and didn’t want to wait to build one plus it wouldn’t have been worth the cost as I was told it would make a 1-2mph difference on a boat this heavy so it wasn’t worth it. With the twin 380s she ll run right at 50, another mph or two isn’t a big deal. On my lake there were only certain areas on certain days where it was calm enough to run the R5 faster than 35 due to chop. If I was on a calm lake I would have kept it no question

Is your old R5 the black one that was on the Atlanta Craigslist recently?

[Big Block Power]

I assume it dropped a valve and a rod went through but I should know more soon. The 520 was a great motor, never had any issues and it doesn’t require much different maintenance that the reg 8.2. It should also last as long. My old R5 is actually being sold to a close friend of mine. Also cobalt only puts VPs in the A36 and almost all have the 380s. This was an in stock boat and didn’t want to wait to build one plus it wouldn’t have been worth the cost as I was told it would make a 1-2mph difference on a boat this heavy so it wasn’t worth it. With the twin 380s she ll run right at 50, another mph or two isn’t a big deal. On my lake there were only certain areas on certain days where it was calm enough to run the R5 faster than 35 due to chop. If I was on a calm lake I would have kept it no question

Is your old R5 the black one that was on the Atlanta Craigslist recently?

Yes it was

[shrfdeputy]

I assume it dropped a valve and a rod went through but I should know more soon. The 520 was a great motor, never had any issues and it doesn’t require much different maintenance that the reg 8.2. It should also last as long. My old R5 is actually being sold to a close friend of mine. Also cobalt only puts VPs in the A36 and almost all have the 380s. This was an in stock boat and didn’t want to wait to build one plus it wouldn’t have been worth the cost as I was told it would make a 1-2mph difference on a boat this heavy so it wasn’t worth it. With the twin 380s she ll run right at 50, another mph or two isn’t a big deal. On my lake there were only certain areas on certain days where it was calm enough to run the R5 faster than 35 due to chop. If I was on a calm lake I would have kept it no question

Is your old R5 the black one that was on the Atlanta Craigslist recently?

Yes it was

When you guys mentioned that boat a month or so ago I drooled over that for a week. Turns out I would be about $90k short of being able to buy it. Lol

[Big Block Power]

Is your old R5 the black one that was on the Atlanta Craigslist recently?

Yes it was

When you guys mentioned that boat a month or so ago I drooled over that for a week. Turns out I would be about $90k short of being able to buy it. Lol

You and I are in the same boat. Ours

[liquid]

You got any pics of the R5? A36 is filthtastic.

Sorry about the engine, certainly sounds like a freak.

[jgordonwin]

Here is R5. It ended up selling to a close very of mine. Definitely one of the coolest boats out there.