How are the Brad Smith Turbos holding up? Haven't heard much on them lately.

OUCH ! but them STERLING decals sure look good on your valve covers YUP

He's been out the last few weekends playing around with turning in & out with his drives.




I really just meant that any new 1700hp engine would be interesting to see how it lives.

Yeah, mine said Sterling on them when they were Sterlings, and ran good. They're different engines now though.

Are those in Dennis' boat?

Are those in Dennis' boat? Will we see a Shootout run?

Yeah, they're some mean looking SOB's. They sound really wild too.

Probably so!

Sorry, BLee. I edited after you commented.

Is he planning on the Shootout?

Sorry for the hijack, Matt.

No apology necessary, Keytime. I knew the choice of drives and Mr. Hledin's quote regarding it would provoke comments.

On one hand, torque is indeed torque, as OL points out. However, torque is not the exclusive source of load on an outdrive. Far from it. Mass, weight and wetted surface make a difference.

On the other hand ... there is a reason drives have the hard-number torque and horsepower ratings they do. According to the Mercury Racing web site, the No. 6 is rated to 1,160 foot-pounds of torque. According to Sterling, the 1700 makes 1,510 foot-pounds of torque (on the dyno). Significant differential.

On the other hand (as someone pointed out) again ... this is not Mr. Hledin's first time at the rodeo.

We will see and, of course, speedonthewater.com will follow it.

This is just my opinion but that engine is one ugly SOB. Normally Sterling engines look neat and polished, this one not so much.

Maybe they should talk to the guys at Brad Smith Power to see about making a turbo engine pretty too! Those guys have it figured out.

But like it was said earlier......doesn't matter if it doesn't run or destroys drives!

I don't see how the 6 drive can survive an extra 400lbft of torque, even in a cat hull. He'll have to really baby them is all I can say. Even with that, sooner or later they're gonna pop.

Who has a Bravo style drive that can handle 1500lbft? SDS?