Bravo XR to IMCO SCX Conversion
 

OK Guys,

Here is my current setup, Merc 600SCI staggered with Stellings extension Boxes, Bravo one XR with shorty lowers running 34 pitch Maximus props that have been tweaked by Hering. All this on the back of Donzi 38ZR

Changing uppers to IMCO SCX with helmet change and oil resevoir change, keeping Merc Shorty lowers.

Any surprises I should look for doing this changeover?

Thanks for your help.

You need the special coupler to connect the SC lower to the SCX upper clutch shaft. The newer style of shift cable helps also. It has a steel end on the center cable that stops the flexing of the old style one.
Other than that.. you should be good!
Enjoy the peace of mind of the SCX!!
And Happy New Year!
Dick

thanks, got the couplers but first I have heard about the shift cables. Thanks for the input.

will this new style cable work with a Bravo 1? My cable has a few bends in it where it enters the drive. Whenever I pull the drive I have to straighten it out again.

Yes it is the replacement for the old style. I dont think the flexible one is available any more.. Fits all Bravos as far as I know.

Same exact thing happens with a BMax. I wonder if it's the same design.....

Good info, I'm hoping maybe later this winter. :D

Do you have a part number, I'd like to replace mine during my spring maintenance?

Thanks for the update! Looking forward to hearing some good results

Did u sale the xrs ? If not pm me a price

I have some IMCO Extreme SC's for sale, 1.5 ratio, 87 hours, excellent conditon!!!, Robbie

I just did a SCX upper and lower Installation on my 2005 staggered 39 Cigarette... Helmet, drive bottle installation and there were no problems with my cables ... I will post some pixs for you when I'm on my other computer!!!

I did the Teague oil reservoir instead of Imco, they were cheaper and I thought looked better in the bling factor, they look nice. If doing the XR or SC lowers you do need the couplers as mentioned above.

Overall I love the new drives and feel rock solid.

Pat

Here are a few shots..


1. Crate Opening Day.... :evilb:

2. XR to IMCO Helmet Comparisions

3. Teague Drive Oil Reservoir...
(Don't hold me to this but I think they were under $150 each compared to IMCO at $400 each?)

few more...

* final product on sea trial....

* no more roostertail with this set up (old pix) ... I did go from 4 blades to 5 blades though.

Could you pm or tell us the total cost to do the conversion? And is there a speed loss? Thanks

Ballpark, Just under 30K for all the parts shipping etc....
not much speed loss, I changed so much set up on the boat and have only owned for such a short period I wouldnt go by my data...

Sportmasters had 1" spacers and running 4 blades 32 Bravos... New set up SCX upper and lowers, props have been a thing I'm still working on but have 30 5 blade Maximus on it for now, have a set of 31 5 blade Herings as well which run real well. But it's not dialed in yet to be 100%

Pat

Ok thanks for the info. If it is within a couple MPH of the old set up it is definately worth the xr vs scx cost to upgrade for the increased durability alone. Plus they look good on your boat.

Looks Real Nice Spicy! I'm thinking about doing this conversion also. I have a couple of questions. I have looked at the Teague reservoirs also, I agree they look nice. Is it the 20 oz one that comes red or blue? Did you do SCX/SCX or SCX/SC ? In the pics it looks like the lowers are SC. What lube did you use in them? Lets us know how they run please.

Thanks

I will try my best to answer.... I don't know what size they are, they hold just over a qt. so I would say 20 oz are right...

SCX / SCX Is what I went with, basically off of H2oToie here on OSO (Dan from California) recommendation as he installed on his 38 Cig... I questioned the lowers when they showed up, I was told these are the new style bullet style as they look like the SC and the SCX 4.... They look different then what's on there site but I have the SCX.
I use the green Torco RTF Fluid in them as recommended from Imco. You can see the green fluid in the side glass level on the side of the polished tank in the picture above.

Hope that helps, Pat

Nice setup Spicy! Did you have your lowers blue printed? I'm going with the SCX/SCX as well, but using a #6 prop shaft instead of bravo.

What kind of HP do you have? Awesome ride and setup regardless!!

No blue printing on drives but may when I do motors next year???
I didn't go with Bravo shafts either, went with the 1 7/16" prop shafts.. I have the brass IMCO adapter in the Maximus props and the Herings are a solid hub, I got lucky and found a set as that is not a common prop shaft.... I have staggered 525's and thank you for the compliment!!

Pat

When i talked to Imco on the phone they referred to the SCX lower that looks like the -4 or the sc lower as the #13 lower. They claim in all the testing it was not better then the standard looking SCX lower besides personal preference on the cosmetic.

Hey Pat, Thanks for the info. Amazing how much bigger the IMCO bell housing are. Thanks for the info on the teague resevoirs, I'm going to look into that.

My parts won't be shipping until Feb sometime, I'll post some pics then too.

PS Cig looks sweet!

OK
The IMCO Uppers are here, Gonna bolt them on soon. I Went with the IMCO resevoirs, Anybody got some ideas on where to mount them so I don't have to crawl over the motors to get to them?

Nice Mark... congrats.

Love mine so far!!!

Pat

Pat, Great looking set up on the boat!!! What gear ratio did you go with? 1.5, or, 1.34? Also, what size prop are you running with your 525's? Speed? I don't know which way to go yet, 1.5's, or, 1.34's. Prop shaft size 1 7/16", is that a #6 size shaft? Can you use the bravo style props? Just a hub change? Any info will help, Thanks, Robbie

Hey Robbie,
1.5 gear ratio
Currently running a 30 5 blade Maximus
Speed, 84-85
I put 1- 7/16" prop shafts, no this is not a Bravo size, next size up.
No it's not #6 shaft size
You can use bravo style just have to put Imco hub in prop.

I have a set of 31 Hering 5 blade that I will run this summer.

Hope this helps
Thanks Pat

Pat, Thanks for the info, sounds like a great set up. I was not aware that the 1 7/16 shaft would work with Bravo props, I will talk with Dave @ IMCO, put the hubs on the order!!!! I have the IMCO Transom assemblies for the SCX's they are massive. Again, Thanks, Robbie

Yes I got an education on all this product this past fall.... The Maximus I use the hubs, my Herings I bought from "Keegan" here on OSO... Those are solid hubs so have to buy correct pitch diameter and prop shaft size..

Post a few pixs when you get them installed.

Pat

I mounted my reservoirs directly above the inner transom rings. I also drilled and tapped the lower portion to accept the oil level alarm sender. After that the alarm would go off when I was in big water so I pulled the top, installed a short chunk of tubing over the stud, an aluminum plate a tad smaller than the ID of the clear part, and another piece of tubing cut just right to give some squeeze on the plate when the lid was installed. We'll see how that works this summer. I also installed a short tube into the oil line fitting inside the reservoir creating a riser to stop heavier sediments from going back down into the drive.

I bought the new reservoirs also, any chance of pictures of your modification. It would be nice to keep the "Low Drive Oil Warning" as these drives are not cheap. The feedback from you "early converters" is extremely important. Thank You, Robbie

Robbie... Send Dan H2OToie here on OSO a PM... tell him to contribute his pixs and story. I spoke with him on the phone and had drinks in KW last fall just before my purchase..

He did the SCX uppers and lowers on his 38 Top Gun with 525's

Any pics now would just show fluid in the reservoir.
I put the sender 180* from the line fitting.
The short tube positioned the plate at the full level mark.
The plate is 1/8" smaller diameter than the ID of the clear part of the reservoir.
The riser sticks up 1/4" above the floor of the reservoir.

What oil are you guys using in the SCXs? I just ordered mine

Torco RTF 100% synthetic. Its what IMCO recommends.

MarkDonzi, I hope I did not hijack your thread, I'm several months behind you on swapping over to the SCX's.

Pat, Thanks, e-mail sent to Dan, look forward to hearing about his experience with his installation.

1 MAIDEN AMERICA, I was hoping that you had pictures of the modification of the reservoir, Thank You.

Exactly....

I had better luck with Bmax's oil...my .02.

What did you notice was different? I use the Torco. It shifts into gear perfect every time. Occasionally it'll clunk coming out of gear but I think that's caused by the engine trying to keep that 17" prop spinning at idle.
I pulled the pinion to peek and the gears look new after 50ish hours.