[ColoradoDiablo]

BTW , nice lookin' Mariah vman!

[Andy b]

Originally Posted by ColoradoDiablo

Unless you love your boat , like I do! Then money is no object , except for dealing with the wife!!

My biggest fear is that Mrs B sells off all my stuff for what I told her I paid for it

[ColoradoDiablo]

I don't even want to think about that!! The wifey would kill me!!

[Oregondunes]

Originally Posted by vman

Thank you gentleman. I seen the chart above with gear ratio but can't make head or tales out of which I need to go with. I have these bravo III on ebay for around $5200.00 so to get the right gear ratio would be a must. I just don't understand why you would put a 7.4 mercruiser in a boat and only have a bravo I. Makes no sense to me. All that power going to nothing. Handling and docking would be greatly improved, not to mention performance out of the whole or top end. I'm not looking for a speed boat but at least 55 to 60 isn't much to ask. My champion will easily do 70 plus.

Each year I have been stepping up the pitch size on our Z302. Ours came with a 2.0:1 drive.

Started with 24's and easily hit rev limit. Then went to 26's. Hole shot was reduced, but still hit rev limit, but only increased top speed by 2-3 mph. Ok trade off, but still not optimum.

Now with the new motor pushing upwards of 450 hp (stock was 310, and ours was badly worn), we opted for 28p props and changed to a 2.2:1 ratio. Bout the same over all speed (44-45 mph) at 4400 rpms, but the hole shot is freaking unbelievable now. Almost wondering what the 2.5:1 ratio with 32p props would be like.

Pushing BIG wheels does require re-gearing and additional HP. But the bite you get is awfully nice.

[finleydj]

Thanks for the intel! I'll stick with the Alpha for sure!!

[Michaels1956]

I have been told that the older Merc Alfha ones, etc. have a heating problems while running with a load, that the upper case of lower unit overheats and causes damage to the gears and such! This dual shower spray can nearly lower the heat by 50 degrees which is anough to save oil from breaking down causing internal catastrophic damage to outdrive. I will be putting one on my engine for sure. :-) Direct bolting and no drilling nesseary.



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[Michaels1956]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ske-qLlEjL8

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[Michaels1956]

You wonder why the paint on upper outdrive turns gray black because the heat is sudden death to a outdrive when it's to hot to handle.

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