Imco SC VS. XR
 

Did a search on this but most of the threads were old, looking for more recent info/opinions.

Any reliability advantage to an SC over an XR? I know the gears are the same, but will the other "upgraded" internals make the SC more reliable? For example, is the Imco 1 1/4" propshaft really stronger than the XR piece?

Has anyone seen a change in handling/shifting moving Bravo to Imco? Looking for advice from those who have owned/driven/worked-on both. Thanks.

The weak link are the gears, with any horsepower above probably 600 or so , the gears just don't seem to last. I just switched to
an SCX after 2 SC's , but I am running about 850 HP and same torque .

The sc is normally an upgrade from a standard bravo, however there are some improvements over the XR. The case floor is stronger, so are the towers. And the top cap uses 8 bolts and has integrated cooling. The gears are the same as the XR.

I do believe my Imco SC drives are Stronger, Handle, and Look better then an XR. But I would not spend a lot of coin on them in todays market if you are over 700hp. Great drives for 500-700hp. They USED to be even better drives with the older Merc gears that were forged stronger. The SC WAS the answer combined with those good gears. But the new gears just don't hold up like they used to so the IMCO SCX is a much better drive overall now.

But if you find a decent used pair go for them.

I have a pair of the older sc drives {about 10 years old} that have only been in the water one time and are like new. What are a pair of these drives worth with or without the merc racing gimbles?

The drives upper and lowers no gimbals are worth about $6000-8000 each so about 12-16k for the pair in good condition.

I have bravo one, have had pretty good luck with them overall. Just added some power and am looking for a set of either XR or Imco SC. I've got around 600hp per side. Had anyone had good luck with either in that HP range?

I've had decent luck with XRs at 6-650 but good oil and frequent oil changes help. If u get 7 and up in hp range definitely running on borrowed time

My SC's are holding together now after popping several of them by being too hard on the acceleration. Like has been stated, the weak point is with the gears but the casings are better. Blow a set of upper gears in any Bravo tower and your needing a new tower. The sleeves are replaceable in the SC's so repairs can be cheaper slightly. The lowers are probably the best feature, thin, strong and fast and hold up rather well. I'm right at 700hp and would like to go to SCX's when I turn the engines up in power this winter so I most likely will be offering my SC uppers for sale soon. I think the best option right now is the SCX uppers with the SC lowers so I'll keep my lowers.