Bravo X vs. Bravo One
 

Hi,

I was wondering if the new (2007) Bravo X drive is faster then the old Bravo one?

Will my boat go faster with a X drive compared to One drive?

I know that the X drive is a stonger and improved version of the One drive. But is it faster?

Simply - No

What is the max HP that an X drive can handle??

Mercury say's 425hp

Wow!!!! Really?? So if I add anymore power I need a new drive?? That sucks:(

425 hp!

Why did they put B1's behind HP500EFI's?

Yea I know,to insure a steady flow of repair money,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I thought I read that X's or XR's would be slower than a standard bravo because there is more resistance with the straight cut gears.

Last I remember reading on this in Merc literature:
Bravo 1 - 400hp rating. Used on engines that make less than 400hp (496mag, 8.2mag, etc)
Bravo 1X - 450hp rating. Used on engines that make less than 450hp (496mag HO, 8.2mag HO, etc)
Bravo XR - 600hp rating. offered on engines up to 600SCi

There were 2 major differences in the 1 and the 1X. The gears in the 1X were shot peened or heat treated (can't remember which) to resist chipping and pitting under the additional power with the HO engines. Also, the top cap of the 1X is finned for increased resistance to deflection and to a lesser extent, better cooling. I cannot imagine there would be any difference in speed between these 2 drives.

The XR has the straight cut gears and larger shafts. There is slightly more parasitic loss with the straight cut gears. I do not have any experience to be able to say how much loss of speed that would relate to. The top cap of the XR is finned the same as the 1X.

Previous to the design and release of the XR, the Bravo 1 was the only merc bravo type drive. Then the XR was released but was more expensive obviously than the Bravo 1. The XZ was short lived and fit in the mix between the Bravo 1 and the XR. It had a short market life offered with the 500. The 525 got the XR. There must have been issues with testing on the Bravo 1 behind the HO engines. Rather than go to the expensive XR, Merc changed the problematic components and released the 1X.

The time line may not be exactly correct with the XR - XZ. Not sure which came first.

Hope this helps some.

Here is a link to Bam Marine's site with a chart showing all the differences between the different Bravo drives...

http://www.go-fast.com/mercruiser_bravo_sterndrives.htm



Doug

The one thing a X and XR have in common, is that they are both JUNK!

My Bravo 1X lasted three seasons behind my 496 HO but lasted all of 7 hours when I repowered to the 525. The XR upper/Imco lower has held up well for two seasons now. Some people can get the Bravo 1 to live with big power but I guess they don't drive as aggressively as I do and maybe they have a lower "X".

So, yeah, if you add significant power keep some $ handy for a new drive.....

so what would be your choice of drives on the 496ho-600sci's????

Maybe I'll upgrade the drive first

I was wonder the same thing

Imco SCX upper SC lower

THE SHOP I USE TOLD ME TO GO WITH AN SC WHEN I DO MY ENGINE WORK

Im running bravo1s behind my 32 active thunder that has a high x dimention with twin 600 hp 500hps at 90 plus mph at 5600 rpms with minimal problems. Would like to go to xr uppers and imco lowers.

A buddy has X's on his 35 Cafe with 600hp blowers. No problems. He does drive it with caution though..easy out the hole.

A SC uses mercury XR gears which are still a 50-50 deal on
weather they're junk or not.....If you dont want to worry about it go SCX.

WOW!! IT COSTS MORE AND IS THE SAME THING?? MAN THE MORE THINGS I HEAR THE MORE IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT NOT DOING ANYTHING TO MY BOAT. SPEND ALL THIS MONEY AND GET REALLY NOTHING FOR IT.

Tres stated somewhere they are testing some new forged xr gears....

is the SCX a plug and play????

You have to change the helmet.

LOL:)

funny dipchit...:lolhit::kiss: but really, are they the same as far as length, (help out here :lolhit:i'm not sure of the proper terminology) bolt pattern, depth..ect????

Seriously,
You have to change what they call the helmet
( merc calls it a bell housing) to what IMCO makes for the
SCX, on to the merc gimbal ring.

Item 1 in this picture
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...ies+Transom%29

see told ya I didn't know terminology:lolhit: sorry...:lolhit: so all the dimensions are the same??? it's not like adding a standoff box then.

The SCX lower is 2" shorter...but thats not to say that
you couldnt add a spacer to lower it if needed, or use a 1" shorter or std length SC or merc lower.

would definitely have to do some research and see what will and will not work on my sunsation (if someone knows for sure) before I start something like this. I'm just lurking and learning, but I do know I want more hp or a totally new boat.:coolcowboy:

you realy should change out the rings and put the HD billet imco rings on it. Thats what I did. I have been told that the scx upper will bind up on the standerd gimbal ring when trimmed all the way down. The best thing to do is call imco they were great to deal with . :drink:

thanks. is there any lose or gain in hp running the scx drives???? I assume some kinda lose due to heavier built drives but that may not be the case.