[CraigM]

I have installed carbon fiber reeds in several merc v6's it is not difficult and if you have to have it done 300 labor and 200 for the reeds . Odds are suing them 6 months out of the year with average use you will never have to replace them If you eat a broken one (which I have never had happen) it generally passes through the engine with little if any damage. On the other hand if you eat a steel one power head failure usually occurs . Carbon Reeds are the way to go on merc v6's more performance both ends idle and top end. The XS is definitely worth the extra money up front.