Mercury Racing Releases New 520 Engine

Designed to bridge the price gap between the 430-hp MerCruiser 8.2L Mag HO engine and the 525-hp Mercury Racing 525 EFI engine, Mercury Racing‘s new 520 engine makes 520 hp at the crankshaft and comes with Digital Throttle and Shift. List price for the new powerplant, which has a two-year factory warranty, is $44,745 with a Bravo One XR drive and standard stock exhaust. That compares favorably to the $56,178 list price of the 525 EFI mill with a Bravo One XR, and $29,555 for an 8.2L Mag HO engine with the same drive.

The new 520 is designed to bridge the gap between the Mercury Racing 525 EFI and MerCruiser 8.2L Mag HO enignes.

According to a press release from the Fond du Lac, Wis., high-performance marine engine company, the 520 produces more torque than its 525 EFI sibling and shares the same CNC-machined cylinder block used on its Mag HO cousin and Mercury Racing 525 EFI. To make the rated horsepower and additional torque for the 520, Mercury Racing increased the cylinder bore size for an additional 21 cubic inches. Total displacement for the 520 engine is 523 cubic inches (8.6 litres).

“This is the first engine for us on the stern drive side to ever be offered with a two-year warranty,” said Rick Mackie of Mercury Racing. “The combination of the valve train and the enhanced displacement working together at that lower power rating gives us the confidence to offer that kind of warranty.”

The larger displacement, combined with Mercury Racing cylinder heads, multiport fuel injection and an electronic throttle body results in nearly 100 additional horsepower over the 430-hp MAG HO. The engine runs on 87-octane fuel and meets Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emissions standards.

The 520 engine is available in 10 colors in addition to signature Mercury Racing metallic blue. The first pair will be installed in a new 36-foot V-bottom from Outerlimits that’s going to Performance Boat Center, its dealer in Camdenton, Mo.