Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
07-28-2005, 07:26 AM
#21
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
Originally Posted by Need-the-Speed
Geesh, Who the heck would be dumb enough to match a 700 h.p motor with a standard Bravo One(RATED FOR 470 H.P)? 
If everybody is going to bash Bravo's at least make sure they are matched correctly to the h.p. your running?? I think a better question to ask is who would service an IMCO drive? As everybody knows, there are thousands of mercruiser repair centers nation wide. In my location I don't no anybody that would put a wrench to an IMCO. Im sure IMCO's are great drives, but the fact remains that you could destroy a drive no matter what you have. I would rather have the unit that I could get the parts for faster and cheaper. just my .02
If everybody is going to bash Bravo's at least make sure they are matched correctly to the h.p. your running?? I think a better question to ask is who would service an IMCO drive? As everybody knows, there are thousands of mercruiser repair centers nation wide. In my location I don't no anybody that would put a wrench to an IMCO. Im sure IMCO's are great drives, but the fact remains that you could destroy a drive no matter what you have. I would rather have the unit that I could get the parts for faster and cheaper. just my .02I personally ran 640 hp through my Bravos and never had a problem, that was my choice. And those having problems with "black motors" blowing bravos, I would guess operater abuse.
07-28-2005, 08:32 AM
#22
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
Come on Guys,,, Its about the Facts,,, no one on here Knows the Facts!!!!
What year drives are we talking about ??? What upgrades have been done ????
Bravo drives have been changed ( read upgraded) since they were introduced in the late 80's ..
Imcos have done the same,,,
The R&D on this stuff just keeps going on and on..
Having said that ,, I prefer the XR with upgrades from Max Machine ,, but that was not the question!!
Just need the facts ,, thats all ,, then the question can be answered!! In my Humble opinion.
RHC
What year drives are we talking about ??? What upgrades have been done ????
Bravo drives have been changed ( read upgraded) since they were introduced in the late 80's ..
Imcos have done the same,,,
The R&D on this stuff just keeps going on and on..
Having said that ,, I prefer the XR with upgrades from Max Machine ,, but that was not the question!!
Just need the facts ,, thats all ,, then the question can be answered!! In my Humble opinion.
RHC
07-28-2005, 09:41 AM
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
I can tell you all from my recent experience with my Imco's that have 10 hrs. on them.
The first one blew with 9 hrs. wasted it. Imco (Fred jr) says it my problem, charged me 6500. to rebuild.
First 10 min out, blow the other one. not as bad. OL is rebuilding cost 3K.
Intinal research lead me to belive the Imco was the way to go.
But in hind site I could have bought 3 XR's and had the ability to rotate them.
As for power 700 hp single carb no blower.
As for the internal parts they are all mercury, the only thing Imco makes is the case.
coming from a #6 boat all I can say is how the F can this crap be sold if all it does is break???
The first one blew with 9 hrs. wasted it. Imco (Fred jr) says it my problem, charged me 6500. to rebuild.
First 10 min out, blow the other one. not as bad. OL is rebuilding cost 3K.
Intinal research lead me to belive the Imco was the way to go.
But in hind site I could have bought 3 XR's and had the ability to rotate them.
As for power 700 hp single carb no blower.
As for the internal parts they are all mercury, the only thing Imco makes is the case.
coming from a #6 boat all I can say is how the F can this crap be sold if all it does is break???
07-28-2005, 12:19 PM
#24
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
I have heard from VERY reliable sources that it is difficult if not impossible to get your IMCO drive fixed under warranty (hearsay). If IMCO is somwhat better, I'll take my XR anytime due to the fact the company will stand behind their product. Exactly the reason I own an Eliminator and not a "Tragic".
07-28-2005, 01:22 PM
#25
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
Originally Posted by Pure Energy
Exactly!!!!!
I personally ran 640 hp through my Bravos and never had a problem, that was my choice. And those having problems with "black motors" blowing bravos, I would guess operater abuse.
I personally ran 640 hp through my Bravos and never had a problem, that was my choice. And those having problems with "black motors" blowing bravos, I would guess operater abuse.
I ran 625+HP through regular Bravo1's on a 10,000 lb boat for over 2 years without an issue. Don't hammer it out of the hole and learn to throttle in the rough stuff and alot of people would be VERY surprised to find out what a Bravo can handle.
It's funny how everyone who ever blew a drive thinks it's because of the drive!!
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Happily retired and living in Heavens waiting room.
07-28-2005, 01:37 PM
#26
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
Originally Posted by Wild Child
I can tell you all from my recent experience with my Imco's that have 10 hrs. on them.
The first one blew with 9 hrs. wasted it. Imco (Fred jr) says it my problem, charged me 6500. to rebuild.
First 10 min out, blow the other one. not as bad. OL is rebuilding cost 3K.
Intinal research lead me to belive the Imco was the way to go.
But in hind site I could have bought 3 XR's and had the ability to rotate them.
As for power 700 hp single carb no blower.
As for the internal parts they are all mercury, the only thing Imco makes is the case.
coming from a #6 boat all I can say is how the F can this crap be sold if all it does is break???
The first one blew with 9 hrs. wasted it. Imco (Fred jr) says it my problem, charged me 6500. to rebuild.
First 10 min out, blow the other one. not as bad. OL is rebuilding cost 3K.
Intinal research lead me to belive the Imco was the way to go.
But in hind site I could have bought 3 XR's and had the ability to rotate them.
As for power 700 hp single carb no blower.
As for the internal parts they are all mercury, the only thing Imco makes is the case.
coming from a #6 boat all I can say is how the F can this crap be sold if all it does is break???
Yep!!!!!!! My experience with IMCO was very similar to yours, only I gave them 3 opportunities. 3 drives in less than 20 hours. Drats!!!!!!!
They blamed a bad run of gears. Still did not stand behind any of them.
Sam
07-28-2005, 02:02 PM
#27
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
Been there done that, Been there done that again...Don't waste your time on the IMCOs...Just go with the Merc XR's.
Make sure you prop it right at WOT and they'll live.
Make sure you prop it right at WOT and they'll live.
07-28-2005, 10:35 PM
#28
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Re: Which is a better drive a Imco Extreme or Bravo 1
My personal opinions probably not worth much, but I would stay with a good Bravo 1X up to 525HP, a Bravo XR to 600HP and then see the boys at Max Machine works for upgrades beyond that. If you have a bigger wallet and go above 800HP, get the #6 from Mercury and in any event don't beat any drive at any HP, its going to cost you dearly and lighten your wallet considerably! In any event if that boat's motor was built up to those horsepower and torque levels on a stock Bravo 1, its a ticking time bomb! Just my two cents.
Ray @ Raylar
Ray @ Raylar
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