Chris Cat, #2 to TRS
 

I have seen the debate below but this link is for Cat specific.Has anyone with a Chris Cat gone from #2 drives to TRS. Since the TRS is shorter it would raise the X dimension. Would you loose stability or blow out on turns or coming on plane, or would you just go faster? If you went to a Konrad it would raise it even more.

The trs won't hold up in a surfacing situation plus it isn't dependable over much over 400 hp. Its aspect ratio is good to about 90 mph. Another short coming would be its short skeg.
Jim

If you swapped out the SSMII to the TRS, the propshaft height would be raised about 2", probably too high for your application. I'd be surprised if it even got on plane.

Since the Konrad is 1.7" shorter than a TRS, we fit the Konrad with a spacer when swapping out a SSMII.

I've been involved on a few Chris Cat/SSMII projects and the ones I've seen have the propshaft about even with the bottom of the hull. Since the TRS has a much smaller blade diameter than the SSMII, you'll have to go deeper.

Hope this helps,

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The II is designed to run semi surface piercing, which means it's already very hgh.
The TRS is a couple inches shorter. It wont even get on plane if you swapped them.

I have 2inch spacers for the trs if you want to get the drives the same depth as the #2's. Tom

This is the reason I love the OSO sight. I would of spent $$$ and hrs of waisted time trying to get the TRS set up to work. Thanx guys for the imput, now I'm on a search for complete #2 drives, trannys and the rest of the parts required.

Good luck, SSM IIs and parts for them are virtually non-existant. If you need all that stuff, just switch to bravos, SSM IIIa or SSM Vs.
Gary

Won't I have the same problem if I go to Bravos. I am also thinking about #3's if I can find a couple of complete set ups.

If you've currently got a boat set up for SSM IIs, your only option is to glass and recut the transom for a bravo or SSM III or SSM V drive.
You may be able to find SSM IIs, but for about the same money you could change to a non-obsolete drive that would give the boat MUCH better resale value.
I'm not sure if you could space a Konrad far enough down to work with the existing gimbal location.

If you are going to glass and re cut the transom.

How would the Bravo arneson kit work. Bet that cat would fly.

If not just go with Bravo's. Re cut the transom to fit them or use the stand off box conversion kit.

II's are a nightmare to find parts for. When you do find them they're more than III parts. The good news is that your II's are valuable and could offset the swap to III's somewhat. Unless you're hitting 750+ per side, the III's are bulletproof in a light boat like that.

Forget the Bravos. Unless you go all out and get the high-end, you still have a weak drive. Plus, they'll sit somewhat rearward (no trans) which will affect the boat's balance front-to-rear.

We have a few of these boats with the Arnesons and they definietly run way faster than a TRS could ever reach.

when i put mi chris cat together 12 years ago, i planned on using my trs and 500 s out of a scarab. the origonal chris craft brochure said that the stock power was 400/trs. I spoke to i believe it was Bob Collotti? who used to set these up at chris craft and he said that the trs would only last a couple hours as they are not made to surface and they will pound themselves to death. Crush washers?? they can be solid shimmed, but still do not last. I went with Arneson ASD8 and never looked back.

price out a konrad set up with ext box , and arneson ads 8s see which less to do. the konrad with boxes would let you keep the drives, engines where they are going back 12'' is like going down 1 to 2''. hey Biggus what do you think:D

price out a konrad set up with ext box , and arneson ads 8s see which less to do. the konrad with boxes would let you keep the drives, engines where they are going back 12'' is like going down 1 to 2''. hey Biggus what do you think:D

With all due respect, you cannot compare those two drives, and the lower price might not be the one you think.

Educate yourself before you post please.

ouch, Rik!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No. It's not like that.

It's just that he is comparing a drive in one category to a drive that is in the SSM#6 category.

Two totally different worlds. Then to use a negative comparative analysis is totaly senseless and unnecessary especially when someone with experience with this exact setup has posted his experience on this thread.

rik sorry if I hurt your feels, howard arneson came out with a nice surface drive, I am saying he would not have to move his motors, thats all and he's running motors that fit in line with a konrad. plus props would be B1S, MAX, P5S, PROPS THAT COST 450 TO 900 ALOT LESS MONEY THAN SURFACE DRIVE PROPS THAT ARE 2000 TO 4500. JUST GIVING A GUY A little INFO ON WHATS OUT THERE, AND I NEVER HEAR A BAD THINK ABOUT A KONRAD, CAN'T SAY THE SAME ABOUT THE OTHER.:D

You are not getting it apparently. I am not hurt nor upset as you have implied, rather just hoping you would gain some more insightful information before you post your misconceptions.

You are comparing an Arneson ASD8, which has a 1,500 hp rating and is used in applications with over 2,000 hp successfully, to a drive with an 800 hp rating.

Just to spell things out for you in plane english, two totally different markets, two totally different applications.

What you should have known, and would have looked a lot more intelligent comparing is the drive you mentioned to our "Bravo Conversion Drive" the first drive on the market to, read this carefully now, "Leave the engine where the Bravo requires it and not move the engine forward".

All others have copied this idea from Arneson, not the other way around. Another key point you missed.

Now that this is out of the way, YES you are correct, the propellers we require are the Speed Master style from Mercury, Hering, Rolla, Elstrom or even Throttle Up. Yes these cost more than a Mercury Bravo propeller, but there are benefits from these as well that the Bravo propeller does not have.

I have an 85 Chris with#3's, mine was converted from #2's years ago. It is an awesome combo as the slip with big wheels yields over 115mph with very mild supercharged 509's. We have ran a few poker runs in very rough water with no issues...a bravo bottom with a high x dimension will just not hold up. I would not hesitate a second to put a nice set of 3,4,3a or 5 SSM drives on your boat, you will not be disappointed.:ernaehrung004:

As Rik said and I have emailed him quite often over the years there is really no compairsion, the number six arneson is rated at 750 foot pounds of torque not HP but torque which is over 800 HP. the number eight is rated much higer than a number 6 merc, and much better priced, like a whole bunch. apples to apples the six Arneson or the bravo conversion is about the best deal out there. period!!!! Hey Rik got over the neck fusions and plating, then had back surgery last summer three levels no fusions, wish they did them battleing back from that f-up, still going Arnesons on the Excalibur. When I return to life again.

Hey Rik do you know if my ASD7M's shipped yet? Just wondering, been busier than a person needs to be lately....

Jim