Could I modify the ITS cap (cut off the tie bar mount) to fit on my non ITS bravo? Looking at the pics it doesn`t look like it work work with my drive shower as is..

Do you have the XR ITS cap already ?? If not, why not try and find a regular XR cap ??

If you have the ITS cap already, I'm pretty sure you could modify it to work.

Did you find a drive builder yet ??

Smitty

Yes, you can use the ITS cap and an ITS back cap to add two more studs to hold the cap and strengthen the case. Cutting off the tail was common before the regular XR ribbed top cap came out. The race depth needs to be measured and shim thickness adjusted accordingly.

Hope that helps.
Dick

Smitty, since Mr. Gadgets did not return my emails yes I spoke to George, I`m just looking around at all my options. All American Drive and the 2 year warranty is attractive too...

With 520/620tq NA I should be fine with just a regular XR I think.
Right now the Bravo 1 are holding up fine but I know its coming..
Id like to have a spare

Dick, Good explanation!

ICDEDPPL- I called both Mr. Gadgets and AAD yesterday on a question and Dick answered the phone but AAD did not. No big deal but just the nature of the beast. I think they prob both could build a great drive. The warranty does sound great but is only good as long as the company is in business....Just something to consider.

I do not know the answer to this but I thought I heard some people having better luck with the bravo 1 or bravo x then an XR. Something about the helical cut gears? Or some type of hybrid combination of the 3 drives.

Anyways, yes you are correct your power is within spec to mercurys rating of 600hp on the xr.

I LOVE how you realize that having a spare drive and runnin XR based drives is a smart way to go. I have been chasing bigger stronger drives for to long and wish I went this route years ago.

I would be very interested to see if the warranty was valid on your engine set up which is not stock from what I have heard.

Lets be honest guys, if you want to go fast, that means more horsepower is needed and there is really no warranty unless you go with a bigger drive like a Konrad or similar. The Bravo drive was never designed for high horsepower, high speed applications.

And the helical gears in a regular Bravo do seem to last longer than an XR drive, but only if it has the newer gears (XR that is). The old original XR gears were of much better quality and live longer.

For me it has always been the Port drive that breaks...

Hopefully if all goes well, I will be selling upgraded XR gears sometime in the future.

Oh and I would not be saying bad/negative things about a guy unless you are willing to tell BOTH sides of the story

I was also looking at options...something we should know

IC,

I sent you a reply to your email later that day I received yours.. on 2/1. Not sure why you didnt get it. Maybe it went into the spam folder?? I just replied back with a couple of emails and forwarded the original email. Let me know if you get it.


Dick

A friend of mine blew up a All American XR drive within the warranty period and there was no issue with getting everything covered.. was a built up 575SC motor.



Mr. Gadgets I sent you a PM.. not getting any of your emails.



Well summers are so short here so I HATE being down. Last boat ate 3 drives in two seasons. I`m shellshocked now, last season I went the entire summer with no problems so I`m expecting the worst this summer. Especially since they are just bravo 1`s.

XZ didn`t work too well for me: