I was told to change the upper gear on my drive to a 1.32 for more speed. What Ratio is my drive now???? did calculations on prop calculator and said it would net be about 7mph and ideas Thanx Chris I was told these gears were run in 454 boats is it ok to run them with a 350 mag

You will get a few opinions but the fact remains a large prop turning slower is more efficient, your more then likely are running a 1.5 now. Don't put your money on any gains until do you research properly!

Phil

You will gain nothing in swapping in 1.32 gears over your 1.50 ratio. Assuming you use the same prop swapping in 1.32 gears will lower your engine rpms making you go slower. IF you had the power to spin the same prop with the 1.32s the same rpm as your current gear ratio you would gain speed. With a 350MAG you will not gain any speed with the swap.

The late 80's 454's ran the 1.32's in the Alpha as they made alot of torque and could get away with the higher ratio. The ratio also took some strain off the weak alpha as compared to a more aggressive ratio of 1.50 or 1.65.

There is a reason Alpha's behind 350's come with 1.50's. If your boat originally had a 350 you more than likely have 1.50 gears and they are what you want for a 350. It should say on the Merc decal on the drive.

If i swap to a 454 do i have to change gears??? Is it a good idea to change gears??? I have a 400hp 454 i was just afraid to put it behind the alpha. Let me know what u think Thanx a lot Chris

Chris you are technically in bravo land for that power. If it is a light boat you may be able to get away with the alpha if you baby it. There were some 454's with alphas in the past from merc for a little while. Jamie / Lakeside

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hooking a 400 hp big block to any alpha drive will give you only one thing.. a blown up drive, they wouldn't handle a 330 hp big block merc rep told me that they ahad an almost 60% failure rate on them before the bravo