Drive questions Teague/Imco/Bmax
03-17-2012 | 07:41 AM
#91
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Can You Hear Me Now??
Joined: May 2005
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From: Old Saybrook CT
You can do that and you will probably lose 2-3 mph over the stock -2 sportmaster. Please correct me if I'm wrong. The ASD will give you a speed increase that can be quite expensive to match if you want to have that with a Bmax or SCX drive. Ie. much bigger hp motors.
Don't take this as a personal attack on the Bmax drive, it just my way of looking at it. There is no doubt that it has its place in some setups. Imo, this is just one where I see the Arneson as being the better choice.
What is the price of speed and reliablility?
Don't take this as a personal attack on the Bmax drive, it just my way of looking at it. There is no doubt that it has its place in some setups. Imo, this is just one where I see the Arneson as being the better choice.
What is the price of speed and reliablility?
03-17-2012 | 07:46 AM
#92
Frank's Marine Service
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,959
Likes: 142
From: Elkton, MD
A friend of mine told me a BMax for sale at a decent price. That drive combined with purchasing an upper and vertical shaft is probably your cheapest option. You'd take the vertical shaft from the used drive, instal in your lower. Install the new vertical shaft in your other lower and bolt it up to a new upper. After buying/selling everything you have it's could even wind up being a cheaper option than upgrading what you have. Just my $.02. 
03-17-2012 | 07:57 AM
#93
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From: Lees Summit ~ LOTO 10MM
As far as speed lose, in the old Bmax you had a choice of well lets just say 1.3 ratio and folks would put them on thier boat coming from a 1.5 ratio and lose 8-10 mph and blamed it on the lower housing. As with any new drive set up props will have to be tested to get it dialed in.
Back in the early 2000's one of the boating magazines did tests on all the lowers and the Bmax lower was the fastest at that time. I don't have the article but I'm sure one of the members on the forum will. Today the Bmax comes in a 1.5 ratio as well.
Rik made a statement that starting with a blank slate that Arneson is a cheaper choice and I was looking for a how he figures that.
A.O. Razor I would like to know what Bmax's, Imco's, Max Machine and # 6 drives you have had and on what boats and what power. And then the boats you have had with Arneson's that make you a expert on every thread that comes up. Maybe if you have time we can talk and I can gain some in site for when we come out with new products. It is hard to find someone with your knowledge in the marine industry and I would like to hear your experience's.
Back in the early 2000's one of the boating magazines did tests on all the lowers and the Bmax lower was the fastest at that time. I don't have the article but I'm sure one of the members on the forum will. Today the Bmax comes in a 1.5 ratio as well.
Rik made a statement that starting with a blank slate that Arneson is a cheaper choice and I was looking for a how he figures that.
A.O. Razor I would like to know what Bmax's, Imco's, Max Machine and # 6 drives you have had and on what boats and what power. And then the boats you have had with Arneson's that make you a expert on every thread that comes up. Maybe if you have time we can talk and I can gain some in site for when we come out with new products. It is hard to find someone with your knowledge in the marine industry and I would like to hear your experience's.
AO Razor, not to bust your balls, however I too am curious to hear your experience. FYI - Ive owned a couple different boats with BMAX's and Bravos ( BLACK THUNDERS with 500-700 HP ) so I would believe that Franks boat would do well with a stronger upper and retain a standard XR or sportmaster lower as my BT's weighed in at 13k + with twin set up.
03-17-2012 | 08:31 AM
#94
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From: Union, NE
That used to be on all the box's Dean sent out....
AO Razor, not to bust your balls, however I too am curious to hear your experience. FYI - Ive owned a couple different boats with BMAX's and Bravos ( BLACK THUNDERS with 500-700 HP ) so I would believe that Franks boat would do well with a stronger upper and retain a standard XR or sportmaster lower as my BT's weighed in at 13k + with twin set up.
AO Razor, not to bust your balls, however I too am curious to hear your experience. FYI - Ive owned a couple different boats with BMAX's and Bravos ( BLACK THUNDERS with 500-700 HP ) so I would believe that Franks boat would do well with a stronger upper and retain a standard XR or sportmaster lower as my BT's weighed in at 13k + with twin set up.
03-17-2012 | 08:38 AM
#95
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From: Union, NE
I appreciate everybody giving me some feedback and the expertise. I have now read hours and hours on here and talked to many people and vendors. I am trying to come up with the best solution for me and my budget. The Asd7 are not going to be an option for me, the price, the install, the dialing them in and the limited market on resale(either people love them or they don't feel comfortable about them). I have no experience with them I have neve heard of another TS Tiger having them and to spend $50,000 on being the first does not excite me. I have read mostly great reviews once folks get them dialed in but in some cases it took a great deal of time. I am not the guy for that, I am also not looking to squeeze every mile an hour out of the boat. I will most likely buy an Imco SCX or Bmax upper or strengthen what I have for now and do what Lil Red said let my piggy bank swell up again. Waconda if you would like to give me a smokin deal on a set up I would love to keep a running thread on progress and we can use my boat as the poster child for XR replacements
03-17-2012 | 09:03 AM
#96
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From: Lees Summit ~ LOTO 10MM
03-17-2012 | 09:23 AM
#97
Thread Starter
Can You Hear Me Now??
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,758
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From: Old Saybrook CT
I don't want them for free( unless you hit the lottery) I just want the Wow! I can't pass that up price.
03-17-2012 | 10:44 AM
#98
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From: Denmark and hopefully some place nice
That used to be on all the box's Dean sent out....
AO Razor, not to bust your balls, however I too am curious to hear your experience. FYI - Ive owned a couple different boats with BMAX's and Bravos ( BLACK THUNDERS with 500-700 HP ) so I would believe that Franks boat would do well with a stronger upper and retain a standard XR or sportmaster lower as my BT's weighed in at 13k + with twin set up.
AO Razor, not to bust your balls, however I too am curious to hear your experience. FYI - Ive owned a couple different boats with BMAX's and Bravos ( BLACK THUNDERS with 500-700 HP ) so I would believe that Franks boat would do well with a stronger upper and retain a standard XR or sportmaster lower as my BT's weighed in at 13k + with twin set up.
As far as speed lose, in the old Bmax you had a choice of well lets just say 1.3 ratio and folks would put them on thier boat coming from a 1.5 ratio and lose 8-10 mph and blamed it on the lower housing. As with any new drive set up props will have to be tested to get it dialed in.
Back in the early 2000's one of the boating magazines did tests on all the lowers and the Bmax lower was the fastest at that time. I don't have the article but I'm sure one of the members on the forum will. Today the Bmax comes in a 1.5 ratio as well.
Rik made a statement that starting with a blank slate that Arneson is a cheaper choice and I was looking for a how he figures that.
A.O. Razor I would like to know what Bmax's, Imco's, Max Machine and # 6 drives you have had and on what boats and what power. And then the boats you have had with Arneson's that make you a expert on every thread that comes up. Maybe if you have time we can talk and I can gain some in site for when we come out with new products. It is hard to find someone with your knowledge in the marine industry and I would like to hear your experience's.
Back in the early 2000's one of the boating magazines did tests on all the lowers and the Bmax lower was the fastest at that time. I don't have the article but I'm sure one of the members on the forum will. Today the Bmax comes in a 1.5 ratio as well.
Rik made a statement that starting with a blank slate that Arneson is a cheaper choice and I was looking for a how he figures that.
A.O. Razor I would like to know what Bmax's, Imco's, Max Machine and # 6 drives you have had and on what boats and what power. And then the boats you have had with Arneson's that make you a expert on every thread that comes up. Maybe if you have time we can talk and I can gain some in site for when we come out with new products. It is hard to find someone with your knowledge in the marine industry and I would like to hear your experience's.
Waconda.
Only a fair qustion
A little history. In terms of boats with surface drives, I haven't owned a single one personally. However, I have gained a good amount of seat time in boats with surface drives over the years. What I'm interested in when it comes to boats is props and drives ie. setup. What this means is, that when people around here, in our marina, boating club, fiends and family members boats ect. is dialing in boats I get involved and help out. I have together with a few others managed to make it possible to borrow props and drive pars (spacers, lowers ect.) we can use when dialing in. I've pretty more or less been doing that, ever since I got my first summer job at the local Merc shop 24 years ago. This means I've gotten the chance to run a lot of different boats with various drive configurations. I've run boats with surface drives, IMCOs and XR/SM drives. However, I haven't run a Bmax boat and never claimed to have. My experience is though, when you bolt any of the larger lowers on with the bigger gears ect, you do lose speed over the stock lowers. If you notice, I rarely commmet on the Bmax itself as something I know a lot about. If you feel I've made a personal attack on your product, again I apologize, not my intention. Same goes if you feel I'm saying something that is incorrect. Please tell me where you think I'm wrong. This is also why I said, "please correct me if I'm wrong". What I'm "advocating" for here, is basically the use of a surface drive and the efficiency that comes with it. The reason why I usually bring up the ASDs, is because they are a lot cheaper and lighter than a #6 and a well proven design. Back when Dean ran the bravo shop, I did try to get as much info on the Bmax's as was possible. One of the things discussed back then, was the speed loss over the stock drives. I'm always open about learning this stuff. If you have found a way to use the Bmax in a way that eliminate this speed loss I would very much like to know what is involved with that besides the gear change. I will be happy to talk drives and setup with you, I'm sure I can learn a lot from you about the Bmaxs and other things.
Anders
03-17-2012 | 11:11 AM
#99
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Posts: 3,613
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From: Traverse City MI
4195...... Sounds like you made your mind up before you started the thread! J/K
There are plenty of Cigarette brand boats running arneson drives. A surface drive is a surface drive, Arneson, Merc #6, M8, NXT, Indy, ALL are surface drives, and EVERY fast boat today uses ONE of these surface drives. Theres a reason for that. You will be money ahead in the long run if you use one of these drives, ASD-7s being the best overall bang for the buck. All of this is FACT, not a opinion.
Like said before, if you want to save money, leave what you have, run it, have a spare drive, break, and repeat. Every option on here is going to WEAR out with your HP so why spend extra money to WEAR out a more expensive part????
If you are really set on "upgrading" on a budget, even though it will still wear out, buy the BMAX uppper and use you lower. The upper is VERY strong, John's customer service is top notch, the drive is sorta ugly, and you will have to rebuild your lower every season. But you will "feel" like you got a great deal. Even though if you just saved for the Arneson you would have actually got a good deal.
Good luck.
There are plenty of Cigarette brand boats running arneson drives. A surface drive is a surface drive, Arneson, Merc #6, M8, NXT, Indy, ALL are surface drives, and EVERY fast boat today uses ONE of these surface drives. Theres a reason for that. You will be money ahead in the long run if you use one of these drives, ASD-7s being the best overall bang for the buck. All of this is FACT, not a opinion.
Like said before, if you want to save money, leave what you have, run it, have a spare drive, break, and repeat. Every option on here is going to WEAR out with your HP so why spend extra money to WEAR out a more expensive part????
If you are really set on "upgrading" on a budget, even though it will still wear out, buy the BMAX uppper and use you lower. The upper is VERY strong, John's customer service is top notch, the drive is sorta ugly, and you will have to rebuild your lower every season. But you will "feel" like you got a great deal. Even though if you just saved for the Arneson you would have actually got a good deal.
Good luck.
03-17-2012 | 12:31 PM
#100
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 774
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From: Wild n Reckless From North Texas
As far as speed lose, in the old Bmax you had a choice of well lets just say 1.3 ratio and folks would put them on thier boat coming from a 1.5 ratio and lose 8-10 mph and blamed it on the lower housing. As with any new drive set up props will have to be tested to get it dialed in.
Back in the early 2000's one of the boating magazines did tests on all the lowers and the Bmax lower was the fastest at that time. I don't have the article but I'm sure one of the members on the forum will. Today the Bmax comes in a 1.5 ratio as well.
Rik made a statement that starting with a blank slate that Arneson is a cheaper choice and I was looking for a how he figures that.
A.O. Razor I would like to know what Bmax's, Imco's, Max Machine and # 6 drives you have had and on what boats and what power. And then the boats you have had with Arneson's that make you a expert on every thread that comes up. Maybe if you have time we can talk and I can gain some in site for when we come out with new products. It is hard to find someone with your knowledge in the marine industry and I would like to hear your experience's.
Back in the early 2000's one of the boating magazines did tests on all the lowers and the Bmax lower was the fastest at that time. I don't have the article but I'm sure one of the members on the forum will. Today the Bmax comes in a 1.5 ratio as well.
Rik made a statement that starting with a blank slate that Arneson is a cheaper choice and I was looking for a how he figures that.
A.O. Razor I would like to know what Bmax's, Imco's, Max Machine and # 6 drives you have had and on what boats and what power. And then the boats you have had with Arneson's that make you a expert on every thread that comes up. Maybe if you have time we can talk and I can gain some in site for when we come out with new products. It is hard to find someone with your knowledge in the marine industry and I would like to hear your experience's.
