Hi All
I recently converted my 30' Baja to Bravo's from Alphas.
The drives I got are the 1.36 gear ratio, not 1.5. I am running small blocks.
What kind of problems would I see by not using 1.5 ratio?
I had an engine guy tell me that the 1.36 ratio drives rob a lot of power.

They don't rob power. You just need to get the right pitch prop. I would stick with them. I had 1.36 drives and I switched to 1.50. And lost 2 mph on top, all else being equal.

Smitty, sorry I strongly disagree. The higher numerical ratio is generaly faster if propped correctly. Ask Fountain, they were sneaking the 1.65 drives in on the 496's for years.

In general the 1.36 is a bad choice for a small block. 1.65 would be a better choice.

How much difference do you think it will make switching to the 1.5 gear, or even the 1.65?
A little background.
2 x 383 SB 462 Hp 485 Tq @ 5400

22 Bravo 1 75 mph

Of course you will need to add prop, but I would guess 2, 3 MPH at least. I would go to the 1.65.

My 1998 Formula 312 came with 502 mags and 1.65 bravos.....let me run a 30P prop which supposedly gave me better mid and top end. It's my understanding the 1.36 are only good once you start running out of prop. (meaning a 34-36P is too small so you drop gear ratio to get you back into 30-32P props)