Help me decide on a new outdrive
 

Holy crap getting back into boating after 18 years absense is a steep and expensive learning curve. Thanks to suggestions here figured out my constantly buzzing warning buzzer was indeed the oil reservoir. Sure wish I had someone look into what was going wrong instead of unplugging it. To make a very long unpleasant story short something inside my outdrive (bravo 3) let go last saturday. Was a very loud grinding sound followed by no grinding and tach spinning wildly to the right.

When I bought the boat the previous owner said it would run 70 if you played with the trim just right. I knew that was complete BS with a stock 454mag mpi. On my first outing I got it up to 60 on the gps but everytime out after that it seemed hard to get it over 45. If the tach right it was at 5000-5100rpms when it was at 60 so I'm guessing I have a 2.0-1 geared bravo 3. I don't know as the stickers that should have that info on the side of the gearcase were replaced. The one piece I do know for sure is it has 28" pitch props.

If I need to replace the upper gear case or whole out drive should I change the gears to the 1.8-1 to hopefully get some extra top end? If I have to replace (or choose to) replace the whole outdrive should I switch to the bravo 1? if I do that can you please point me in the right direction to gear ratio and prop you'd chose.

Thank you in advance.

You have a duo prop? Brovo 3 on a Baja 272?

+1 and 28's??

If your looking for speed, got to something besides the bravo3. with a 454 mag you will be fine with a regular bravo1

Bravo 1 or Bravo 1 X
23 pitch mirage +
This will net you the most top end

It's never going to run 70 ( even though the faria speedo may say so) more like low 60's

yes it came with the bravo 3 and yes it's 28" props (at least the last 2 numbers on both props is 28). If I switch to the B1 what gear ratio do I need?

Go with a 1.5:1 ratio.