what is the difference between the older bravos like 88 - 90 and the new generation ones. are the older ones junk or is the power handling lower. any input would be awesome. the reason for the questions is i want to get rid of my alpha for my procharged small block.


thanks

First-release Bravos had 3 rib clutches. 400hp was the limit. Later 6-rib clutches were a direct retrofit, and if they were ever rebuilt, they likely received the newer clutches. This setup was good for 450hp. Billet cap will stabilize the upper gear and help move the limit to 475hp. The 1.36:1 ratio tolerates a little more hp than the 1.50:1. With an early Bravo, I would run 1.36's with anything more than 450 ft-lbs. Not that big of a problem with the drives with moderate power, updated clutches, and a top cap. Put 500 ft-lbs of torque into them and you'll be buying parts more often than is comfortable.

X, XZ, and XR drives are all a little beefier. Without wild aftermarket goodies, though, 600hp is the limit on a stock Bravo XR.

MC

Didn't the B1's after 90 use a drive reservoir and earlier years didn't?

my 89 has one...

My 1988 Formula 311 had Bravo 1 drives behind fresh 454 magnums. We skied and wakeboarded (jack rabbit starts) and I wasn't easy on the throttle - never had a problem. Not junk in my book.