Yep, I would've always been second guessing myself if I didn't. I'm loving it. I got a service manual so I could check things out from time to time for piece of mind. Also, my buddy just got a leak down tester so I could keep up with ring life. With the help of Jay Smith, I got all the little linkage adjustments set properly and idle timing bumped up a little and this motor idles like a kitten which is completely opposite from what we've been hearing over the years. My modded promax pulled a good bit harder than a 225x motor and this 260 just blows my promax away. Acceleration is unbelievable. Topend, I don't know yet cause of a cracked skeg but will soon. Should be around 102ish loaded to fish with no water in livewell. Same load with my promax was 93ish.