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Original price was: $15,000.00.$13,000.00Current price is: $13,000.00.
The Mercury Racing 500R is a 500 HP high-performance outboard built around a 4.6-liter 64-degree V8 FourStroke powerhead with supercharged induction, charge-air cooling and electronic boost control. Mercury Racing developed the 500R specifically for extreme-performance boating, with dedicated powerhead, cooling, midsection, steering and gearcase components engineered around its 500 HP output.
This page covers the 4.6L V8 Mercury Racing 500R. It should not be confused with other Mercury Racing R-Series engines or the different 400R generations. The published 500R specification lists 500 HP, 6,000–6,600 RPM WOT range, 4.6L displacement, 1.60:1 gear ratio and a lightest published dry weight of 726 lb / 329 kg.
| Specification | Mercury Racing 500R |
|---|---|
| Rated horsepower | 500 HP / 372 kW |
| WOT RPM | 6,000–6,600 RPM |
| Engine type | 64-degree V8 FourStroke |
| Valve train | 32-valve DOHC |
| Displacement | 4.6 L / 281 CID |
| Induction | Supercharged with charge-air cooling and electronic boost control |
| Minimum fuel requirement | Unleaded regular 89 octane minimum (R+M/2) or 95 RON |
| Oil requirement | MRX 10W-30 or Mercury 10W-30 Full Synthetic |
| Charging output | 115 A / 1,449 W |
| Steering | Hydraulic or JPO electric |
| Throttle & shift | Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) |
| Midsection | Advanced Racing Core (ARC) |
| Rear tie-bar bracket | Available |
| Shaft lengths | 20, 25, 30 and 35 inches |
| Gearcase | R-Drive or R-Drive Sport |
| Gear ratio | 1.60:1 |
| Lightest published dry weight | 726 lb / 329 kg |
| Warranty | 3-year limited; additional Mercury Product Protection may be available |
The heart of the Mercury Racing 500R is a 4.6-liter 64-degree V8 with a 32-valve dual overhead camshaft configuration. Mercury Racing strengthened the internal components for the increased combustion pressure associated with the 500 HP calibration.
The 500R uses a dedicated crankshaft, stronger connecting rods, rod bearings and pistons, along with a low-inertia flywheel. These components are intended to support the engine’s higher output and 6,600 RPM redline while maintaining the durability expected from a high-performance racing powerplant.
The 500R uses a supercharger with charge-air cooling and electronic boost control. Mercury Racing increased supercharger boost pressure by 26% compared with the 450R specification and enlarged the intake system with a larger attenuator and a new 92 mm throttle body.
The result is a forced-induction package designed to deliver the air volume required by the 4.6L V8 at high engine speeds. Because the 500R is a supercharged performance engine, fuel quality, cooling-system condition and correct service procedures are especially important.
The 500R incorporates humidity compensation technology that measures intake-air humidity and allows the engine calibration to optimize performance across changing environmental conditions. This technology is designed to help maintain the engine’s aggressive performance calibration in different operating environments.
Mercury Racing specifies a 6,000–6,600 RPM wide-open-throttle range for the 500R. Correct propeller selection is therefore an important part of the installation.
Propeller pitch should be selected using the actual boat, engine height, gearcase, load, hull design and intended operating profile. The goal is to allow the engine to reach the specified WOT range without creating an over-revving or excessive-load condition.
The Advanced Racing Core (ARC) midsection is exclusive to the 500R and was developed to handle the thrust and high-speed loads produced by the engine. Mercury Racing redesigned the transom plate and uses heavy-duty guide plates and stiffened engine mounts to stabilize the engine.
The ARC design also provides seven transom-plate mounting holes with three inches of vertical adjustment. This gives installers additional flexibility when setting engine height for a performance hull.
The 500R’s trim system uses two main hydraulic rams plus two booster rams to provide additional trim authority under load. Mercury Racing also slowed trim adjustment speed to allow finer trim changes at high speed.
Steering components were upgraded for the 500R, including 20% greater steering-cylinder force. An optional integrated tie-bar bracket is available for applications requiring a dedicated connection point for multi-engine steering systems.
The 500R introduced Mercury Racing’s R-Drive gearcase family. The R-Drive and R-Drive Sport are designed around the speed and torque requirements of the 500 HP engine and support submerged, transition and surfacing applications.
The standard R-Drive uses a parabolic skeg profile and is designed for submerged and transition applications on boats capable of approximately 85–100 mph. It is intended to balance steering forces with standard and counter-rotation propellers.
The R-Drive Sport is intended for high-speed surfacing applications above approximately 100 mph. Its longer skeg is designed to maintain steering control when the gearcase is operated at the higher mounting positions used by very high-speed hulls.
Both gearcases use a 1.60:1 gear ratio in the published 500R specification. The R-Drive family also incorporates a larger 1-inch driveshaft and 1.5-inch propshaft designed to handle the torque and thrust of the 500 HP package.
Mercury Racing increased water-pump capacity by 57% for the 500R to support the cooling requirements of the high-output powerhead. The gearcase uses low-water pickups and an adjustable nose-cap inlet system to optimize water flow for submerged, transition and high-speed surfacing applications.
Correct engine height and gearcase selection remain important because water pickup performance depends on the boat’s hull, mounting position and operating speed. Installation should be validated on the water rather than relying only on static measurements.
The Mercury Racing 500R uses Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS). Digital controls eliminate conventional mechanical throttle and shift cables and provide electronically controlled throttle response and shifting.
Available Mercury Racing Digital Zero Effort controls can provide a performance-oriented control arrangement for compatible installations. When buying a used 500R, verify that the included controls, harnesses and instrumentation match the engine’s DTS system.
The 500R supports Mercury SmartCraft technologies, including Engine Guardian monitoring and integration with compatible VesselView and multifunction displays. Adaptive Speed Control helps maintain engine RPM as load changes because of sea conditions or turning maneuvers.
These systems can provide useful information during installation, operation and troubleshooting. Confirm compatibility before purchasing additional displays or rigging components for a used engine.
The published 500R specification lists a 115-amp / 1,449-watt charging output. The high-output charging system is useful for performance boats carrying navigation electronics, communications equipment, pumps, lighting, audio systems and other electrical loads.
The boat’s complete electrical system should still be engineered around its actual loads. Battery capacity, cable sizing, grounding, circuit protection and starting requirements should be reviewed as part of the installation rather than relying solely on alternator output.
The 500R was created for extreme-performance and luxury sport boats. Its 500 HP output, supercharged V8 powerhead, ARC midsection and dedicated R-Drive gearcases make it suitable for performance-oriented center consoles, high-speed V-bottoms, catamarans and other hulls engineered for high-output outboard propulsion.
Mercury Racing also designed the 500R for single and multi-engine installations. The correct shaft length, gearcase, steering system, engine height and propeller configuration depend on the boat.
A single 500R installation places the complete 500 HP power package on one transom. Twin installations provide a combined rated output of 1,000 HP, while three engines would represent 1,500 HP before accounting for the specific hull and installation.
Multi-engine boats require careful planning for engine spacing, transom strength, steering, tie-bar configuration, rigging, propeller rotation and engine height. Mercury Racing’s published 500R information identifies a 26-inch center-to-center mounting distance for multi-engine transoms, which can simplify compatible new-boat and repower layouts.
The 500R is available in 20-, 25-, 30- and 35-inch shaft lengths. Selecting the correct shaft length is essential for maintaining appropriate gearcase immersion, water pickup performance and propeller operation.
Do not select shaft length solely from the old engine being replaced. Measure the actual transom and evaluate the planned mounting height and gearcase configuration for the new 500R.
Mercury Racing lists 89 octane minimum (R+M/2), or 95 RON, for the 500R. The published oil requirement is MRX 10W-30 or Mercury 10W-30 Full Synthetic.
Use the exact service documentation applicable to the engine’s model and serial number when confirming fluids and maintenance intervals. Avoid applying specifications from another Mercury Racing engine simply because the horsepower ratings are similar.
The 500R’s high output requires a propeller selected for the specific hull and gearcase. Mercury Racing offers performance propellers covering high-horsepower applications, including designs intended for R-Drive Sport and surfacing installations.
For example, Mercury Racing’s five-blade CNC Cleaver range is designed for high-performance applications using Mercury Racing outboards with Sport Master or R-Drive Sport gearcases. Selection should be based on the boat’s speed range, gearcase, engine height, load and target RPM rather than horsepower alone.
Follow the Mercury Racing service schedule for the exact 500R engine. Important service areas include engine oil and filter, spark plugs, fuel system, cooling system, supercharger system, belts, gearcase lubricant, propeller, steering components, trim system and electrical connections.
The supercharged V8 and high-output cooling system should be treated as specialized performance equipment. Regular inspection is particularly important for engines operated frequently at high load or high speed.
When evaluating a used 500R, begin with the engine serial number and model information. Confirm the powerhead, midsection, gearcase and rigging are all genuine components for the intended 500R configuration.
Inspect the gearcase for impact damage, corrosion and signs of previous repairs. Examine the propeller shaft and skeg, check the midsection and mounting hardware, and inspect the steering and trim systems.
Ask for service records and, where possible, diagnostic information. A water test should confirm starting, idle quality, charging output, cooling-water performance, trim operation, steering response, throttle response and WOT RPM.
| Feature | Mercury Racing 500R | Mercury Racing 400R |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 500 HP | 400 HP |
| Engine configuration | 4.6L 64-degree V8 | Generation-dependent; verify exact model |
| Induction | Supercharged | Generation-dependent |
| 500R WOT range | 6,000–6,600 RPM | Verify exact 400R generation |
| 500R gear ratio | 1.60:1 | Verify exact 400R gearcase |
| 500R gearcase | R-Drive / R-Drive Sport | Generation-dependent |
The 500R should therefore be identified by its complete model information rather than by horsepower alone. Mercury Racing has produced multiple high-output R-Series platforms with different powerheads, gearcases and rigging systems.
The Mercury Racing 500R is rated at 500 HP / 372 kW.
The 500R uses a 4.6-liter 64-degree V8 FourStroke with a 32-valve DOHC configuration.
Yes. The 500R uses a supercharger with charge-air cooling and electronic boost control.
Mercury Racing specifies a 6,000–6,600 RPM WOT range for the 500R.
The 500R uses Mercury Racing’s R-Drive or R-Drive Sport gearcase, with a published 1.60:1 gear ratio.
The published specification lists a lightest-model dry weight of approximately 726 lb / 329 kg.
Mercury Racing lists 89 octane minimum (R+M/2), or 95 RON, for the 500R.
The 500R is available in 20-, 25-, 30- and 35-inch shaft lengths.
The Mercury Racing 500R combines a 4.6L supercharged V8, 500 HP output, Advanced Racing Core midsection, R-Drive gearcase technology, Digital Throttle & Shift and high-output electrical and cooling systems into a dedicated high-performance outboard package.
Before purchasing or repowering, verify the exact 500R configuration, shaft length, gearcase, steering system, controls, service history and compatibility with the boat. For more high-performance marine propulsion options, browse our outboard engines category.
