Help with Drive
07-12-2007, 11:56 AM
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Help with Drive
Guys i just broke my lower unit for my alpha last weekend. I would like to upgrade but I can not afford a Bravo right now. Is there any upgrade from the Alpha 1?
07-13-2007, 07:43 PM
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Sorry to hear about the Alpha. What in the drive failed? What were you doing when it broke?
The Alpha due to it's design cannot really be made much stronger. It's case is small and you cannot utilize larger gears or shafts. The only upgrade is to use HD gears in the upper case. Merc and GLM make these. I went with a set in both my primary and spare Alpha's just in case as I am putting
400hp thru it and drive it pretty hard at times.
The Alpha due to it's design cannot really be made much stronger. It's case is small and you cannot utilize larger gears or shafts. The only upgrade is to use HD gears in the upper case. Merc and GLM make these. I went with a set in both my primary and spare Alpha's just in case as I am putting
400hp thru it and drive it pretty hard at times.
07-17-2007, 11:16 AM
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I was basically riding along. I guess i was pushing kinda hard. Damn man i would love to upgrade to a Bravo, but they are not cheap. How much would a new bravo 1 cost me?
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07-18-2007, 06:16 PM
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I have a low hour, fresh water, low water pick up bravo off of my Gun. I upgraded to xr's and have this as an extra, and I am looking to make a deal. I will take $2250 for the drive. I also have gimbals. Let me know if I can help.
Tony
Tony
08-07-2007, 08:30 AM
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I'm also running 400hp through my 1984 Alpha. No problems. Only upgrade is re-sealed and re-shimmed drive, added drive shower, and check drive oil before every outing (soon adding remote tank for this, like newer style). If you don't use full throttle on take off, it should be OK. Bravo is heavier and larger, so it will go slower. I would say it depends upon your boat weight. I have a 17' Formula that weighs almost nothing. I even use auto rear axle gear lube, 85W-140, not even stern drive lube ($$$).
Bravo upgrade is about $1500 for a used drive, and another $1000 or so for the used gimbal ring. Then, you'll also have to add a belt driven water pump mounted on the engine to suck lake water. This is seperate from the circulation pump you already have on there.
You can buy a brand new Alpha drive from aftermarket for about $1200, with warranty. I have heard nothing but good stories about them. You can also buy just lower or upper from them for about $600 each.
Bravo upgrade is about $1500 for a used drive, and another $1000 or so for the used gimbal ring. Then, you'll also have to add a belt driven water pump mounted on the engine to suck lake water. This is seperate from the circulation pump you already have on there.
You can buy a brand new Alpha drive from aftermarket for about $1200, with warranty. I have heard nothing but good stories about them. You can also buy just lower or upper from them for about $600 each.
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