you can go from alpha to a bravo but once you cut the transom bigger for the bravo, alpha's are no longer an option.

i had a alpha behind a 330hp 454 in a 1987 baja sport196, i beat the snot out of it for two seasions and it held up fine. Now keep in mind my sport196 was a pretty light boat. I would gas it from a stand still and it would literally jump up onto plane. it was a fun boat.

you dont cut the transom bigger for the bravo it's only 2 more holes you drill.

correct, I did this of course I had a 350 mag and a Alpha2
went with a 502 EFI and a BRAVO went from
50 to 72 GPS the 25 boat struggled to get on plane with the 350
alpha. All you need is the gimble/drive swap.
I only did this because the boat was in excellent shape.

mislitti,i have 2 freshly rebuilt bravo drives 1,36 gears.price is 2000. each,i am in illinois,near chicago.let me know if you want one.