Drive Guardian
 

Does anyone have experience with the Bravo Version of the Drive Guardian?

I have one on a 28' cat with blower motor. I can't tell that it has helped at all. I destroyed the upper gears in an IMCO SC in about 10 hours. Drive broke again in about 8 hours after rebuild with new upper and lower gears. I haven't taken it apart yet to see what broke. They are certainly a well made piece, and for moderate HP would probably help, but not in my case.

28' Advantage Sport Cat
565ci/420 megablower
880hp/910tq

Both times my drive blew, I was just cruising around 70mph on flat water. Of course that is around 4000rpm where the engine makes max torque.
Anyone have a SCX they are looking to part with?

I have them on my 38 fever this is the 5th season with them running 850hp blower motors 136 ratio turning a 30 pitch max 5 blade check the gears every year no pitting and look great!! I would highly recommend them!!

How many hours in those 5 seasons?

^^^^ This and more info on the drives. Which cases (early straight back, straight XR, sweptback XR, etc) any aftermarket internal drive parts or upgrades?

I would have to look back i wanna say 250 275ish they are imco sc drives witch is the same as a xr gear just a little stronger case and the gears are what where in the boat when i purchased it so who knows how many was on before i cant remember what the hr meter said but i know it just rolled over 1000hr..

Snap, but when cruising you are at partial throttle which means you are not making max torque.
Full throttle at that rpm, yes. Partial throttle, no.

I use on 275 Vhull and 662 Blower hp with standart XR.
No problems.
Will update power this winter and recalibrate the DG.
Michael

Drive Guardian is a clutch that is primary designed to absorb the shock of a prop reentering the water.

I'm no expert and suggest you reach out to Performance Marine/Saris Racing who sell and race with it. They will tell you in racing applications it greatly extends drive life, as they are constantly launching the boat.

Not sure it will help all that much in a heavy boat with big hp in flat water..

I agree^^^ it will not let the drive see more than what the stock bravo xr drive can handle they set it up to your hp/trq rating like he said ask the race team and look at there videos!!

When I looked at the original data I was amazed at how fast the TQ spikes could be,,,,,,,,, When people say throttle good no way can you with what the data showed.
I find here that running fast across swallows in wind chop is hard, the boat is pretty much skipping across the top and I have heard the props break lose and grab before there is any way to catch it. Its not like the boat comes out of the water as much as it just breaks lose very fast and grabs but you don't even feel it.

In that type I would have to think having what is basically a slipper clutch has to help the drive shock.

I understand that, but could you please explain that to my drive.

Alot don't understand that, and state the same out loud, so making sure and letting others know.

I hate drive problems too. Sucks azz !

I had a 720 HP ProCharged 280 Velocity that would always break on glass flat water decelerating. Would blow the top cap off the drive, after 7 I went with B-Max and never broke another. I'm not making anywhere near that HP but have twins now so running similar speeds and am hoping this may be a less expensive option.

I am as gentle on the throttle as possible. I haven't had time yet to tear it apart and see what broke.

looks like a typical high torque , clutch shaft failure .
Your making alot of torque around 4000 and your throtlle is probably 75-80%
Glass smooth has the most drag on your hull , I see it alot .
Guy just cruisein with the wife and Kids ...... Bang.

Snapmorgan…. you need to send the guardian back to Mike for an adjustment if you have not done so already. Each Guardian is calibrated as best as possible for your set up. Breaking shafts comes from mismatched entry speeds. Call John at the Bravo shop. He has a bunch of nice shafts and for an XR

I have a spare SCX upper that I'd part with. 1.34 gears. Zero time since Imco went through it.

Anymore feedback on the Guardians? Ordering my this week. ‘04 Top Gun 750hp’s running IMCO SCX’s. Thanks

I almost got these too but didn't
02 Gun w close to 750 ea. 4+ yrs with my SCXs and 0 problems. If I would have had them during Breaking Bravo time I may not have needed SCXs lol