+1...a bravo style drive is a bravo style drive...period. If its not vert shafts....then its gears. An SCX is the best option. You may scrub some speed with the current lower unit on the SCX...but they are working on an improved version. Or, send it to Wilson Performance and they can blueprint SCX lower to get most of your speed back.

just got off the phone with Areneson. I am looking at their Bravo Conversion.

Anyone running this? How do you like it? Hows the boats handling, and speed with the ASD?

I have heard from reliable sources that the bravo conversion Arnesons do not perform as well as the other ASD setups. Besides....they are ridiculously expensive.

I just installed the ASD7M. Still involved in "tweaking" the set up. At this point, the only thing I can tell you they do handle/respond differently than my Bravo XR's. I do believe, once I get them dialed in, I will truly like them.

I did look at the Imco's as well and these appear to be very good drives and comes highly recommended by others. SCX is a step up from the Bravo's.

So I spent all this $ on upgrading and improvements in the design and you say they are worst than the traditional Arneson.... Interesting.

As for cost, they are less expensive than a Bravo setup so .....

With only 850hp in a 35 fountain the is no need to drop a lot of $$$$ on something you don't need or that is way over kill.
The Bmax will work perfect on that application and you won't be with out your boat for months putting it in and spending precious summer time trying to dial it in. JMHO.

Thats 850 a side. I have a pair of 540 cubic inch blower motors, just came off the dyno.

I just dont want to replace the shafts, and have the gears blow, or something else in the bravo set up.

Other people I talk to say that the most that the braos can handle are 600 hp, and you will still need to grandmother the throtles.

But if you are actualy running the bravo conversion on your own boat, please let me know. I dont want to hear from someone who heard something.... and so on....

If you are willing to spend that much, then just go with a pair of B Max drives for less $$$.

The B Max drive is not just an upgraded Bravo. Everything is different and all the internals are bigger and stronger. Bigger gears, shafts and closer tolerances.

Mk- for what it's worth, I switched to a bmax this spring from what most would call a pretty extreme xr. My boat is a single engine 28' scarab that weighs in at about 6000 lbs running weight. I've been running over 1700 hp through the bmax since April with no signs of gear wear. Prior to the bmax, I ran through xr and Imco drives in about 2 hours each before I was left with a few salvageable parts. I would say for the money and ease of setup, the bmax is the way to go. I'd also say that at 850 hp in a light, efficient hull- you'll probably never hurt a bmax as long as you follow the bravo shops recommendations on gear oil and service intervals. The only down side of a bmax versus an xr is weight, but stronger always means either heavier or way more expensive... Just my 2 cents

Im sure John (Waconda) understands that you run 850 a side. He runs 850x3 on his 13000lb boat. I have had several sets of BMAX drives on both N/A and Blower engine set ups. Always on a Black Thunder though that weighs 13000lbs. Bmax is a Great product and Johns attention to detail, workmanship, customer relations and availability are unsurpassed.