Bravo XR
11-07-2006 | 07:52 PM
#11
21 and 42 footers
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,207
Likes: 146
From: Richmond VA
Re: Bravo XR
Originally Posted by richsformula
.....................2 - I'm hearing mixed reviews on the XR. ...................Thanks
What are the typical water conditions you boat in? In a relatively flat lake with the occasional cruiser wake your fine with the XR. Cruising 1 mile offshore at 60......now your pushing your luck!
11-08-2006 | 07:51 AM
#15
Forum Regulator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,211
Likes: 1,608
From: Worldwide
Re: Bravo XR
Originally Posted by richsformula
I just rebuilt my Mercury Racing 500 efi. It's now a 540ci, 675HP, 699 ft lb of tourque engine. I'm pretty sure this set up will eat up my existing Bravo 1. It's in a Formula 271 fastech. Do any of you have an opinion about the ability of a new XR to handle this power?
Thanks
Thanks
What year is your original Bravo1? What year/age are the internals? I am a firm believer that the 1999-2000ish Bravo1s are stronger than today's X(n) drives.
Case in point: I beat the snot out of my heavy 1999 Sonic 26' w/ 500EFI and plain-jane Bravo drive. I made my share of mistakes, and never one issue with my engine or drive.
Now I have 2003 Bravo XZs behind a pair of stock 496HOs. I think I know at least a little more about driving a boat (some will beg to differ
), but each drive has broken internally once. Once by me, and once by the original owner of the boat.Say hello to my little friend: (Mercury Warranty Card)
11-08-2006 | 10:17 AM
#16
SeaRay Sundancer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 0
From: SW Missouri
Re: Bravo XR
Originally Posted by t500hps
A little expensive considering the XR will last as long as your easy on the throttles and aren't running 3-4 footers at speed. If you can afford it, run the bravo until it grenades, then replace it with an XR. (otherwise just do it now and sell the the braov or keep it as a spare)Who wants to be easy on a performance boat?
11-08-2006 | 11:00 AM
#17
Registered
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 2
From: st. clair shores mi ,us
Re: Bravo XR
I've had a 540 in my boat for the past 5 years. For 4 of them it was making 650, now it's about 600 and I run a XR geared standard bravo, with a stock lower.
Basically the tower is machined down for the larger XR bearing, and gear. Other than that the gearset was sent to Max machine works to get there bearing upgrade. I've got that , a billet topcap/cooler and a simreck shower and I've never had any problems. Before the max bearing upgrade I would take out bearings on occasion.
Funny thing is 2 years ago I had the XR apart doing the bearing thing and my spare drive is an old style Bravo one with who know's how many hours on it and I used that for most of the summer without any issues. I did kind of baby that one though.
Basically the tower is machined down for the larger XR bearing, and gear. Other than that the gearset was sent to Max machine works to get there bearing upgrade. I've got that , a billet topcap/cooler and a simreck shower and I've never had any problems. Before the max bearing upgrade I would take out bearings on occasion.
Funny thing is 2 years ago I had the XR apart doing the bearing thing and my spare drive is an old style Bravo one with who know's how many hours on it and I used that for most of the summer without any issues. I did kind of baby that one though.
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