boatsrock

I have been looking at used #6 drives and would like to know the pros and cons of both.

Cord

iTrader: (2)

All the pros are for the dry drive-except for cost. The wet drive has the gears bathed in oil. This takes big hp to turn. The dry drive added a oil pump which sprays oil on the parts that need it. I believe the dry drive takes less than 100hp to turn. Because the dry #6 is the more desirable drive, the value of the wet ones is much less. I don't think there is any strength difference between the two.

Tonto

WET SUMP DRIVE,
The drive is completely filled with oil (5 gal.) which creates alot of friction as the gears, shafts, and bearings all have to turn in the oil, which in turns generates alot of heat. Wet sump drives in a racing application can approach 300 degrees in temperature. The only plus that I can think of in a wet sump is the fact that all components are in the oil and are constantly lubricated, kind of a catch 22. In most recreational applications the wet sump is fine.

DRY SUMP DRIVE,
Pretty much the same internal components as the wet sump except for the addition of an oil pump in the front of the lower gear housing. Because the pump is forcing the oil to the vital components you don't need as much oil in the drive(1 gal.). This reduces the friction in the drive and because the oil is in the lower gear housing, the drive "runs" much cooler. Because of the reduced friction, higher speeds are obtainable with comparable engine power. The only draw back to the dry sump that I can think of is, IF the oil pump fails, you'll lose the whole drive. Yeah, and they cost MORE

If you are just using a 6 drive to handle big HP and not trying to be the fastest, the wet sump would be fine. On the other hand if you are lookng for maximum speed, you would need the dry sump. One thing with the wet sump, parts are starting to get a little scarce on some of the older drives. The life span between rebuilds is about 150 hours, less if you're running maximum speed all the time. Hope this helps.

Robert

Summer Heat

Ya gotta love this site.... Always wondered and never asked, Great respone guys.

CMG

hey if you can afford #6's - pony up some cash and support the site!

P Offshore

What is involved in doing the wet to dry coversion?
T-N-T was getting $6500 a drive two years ago is that still the going rate?

US1 Fountain

iTrader: (1)

Hey, gotta give him some time to nibble on the bait. Were dangleing the hook in front of him, just waiting for him to bite so we can reel him in, if you ain't skeered him away already. All in do time, all in do time.

CMG

ok - I won't hit him with all of the fun in the uncensored section then just yet.

dlbCheckmate

Tres just did a Wet-Dry converstion for Hot Duck on his 45 Apache, maybe he will chime in.

boatsrock

Thanks guys, that was big help!!!