That is a great report, and feedback!

I've met the owner of MDC , extremely intelligent man, who for once, has some DATA to support the product he engineered. Rare these days.

I spend alot of time, probably more time than I should, BS'ing with fellow boaters. Whether it be in person, on the telephone, email, and of course here on oso. I find it somewhat amusing, that many times when the drive guardian concept has come up in conversation, I've found so many people to "Nay say" the product. Some guys will debate you until they are physically out of breath, about whether to run Mobil 1 or amsoil gear lube. I've seen guys go out and spent 3-6k dollars on intercoolers for their superchargers, but never once put an air intake temperature gauge on their engines, to even see if the intercooler was even warranted, or what safety factor it's even providing for them. But bring up the "Drive Guardian", to some of these guys, and its snake oil that isnt going to work.

I see someone mentioned the cost being an issue for them. How much is a new upper gearset when they blow? Snapping vertical shafts? How much money have some guys invested in breaking and rebuilding their bravo's prematurely ? How much money have some guys spent, doing modifications to add strength to their drive? I know some guys that in 5 seasons have spent nearly enough money in repairing/upgrading their bravo's where they could have bought arnesons by now.

For years, many, including myself, were under the impression, that the key to getting a weaker drive to live was simply go easy getting on plane, and all will be well. MDC has provided actual data, in real world, of what torque the drivetrain actually sees while out on the water running hard, and the enormous torque spikes that occur when the prop aerates for a millisecond and grabs again. That data to me is mind blowing. But still, some guys will say, "Eh, its snake oil, just go easy getting on plane you'll be ok''.

Is this a product thats going to allow you to install a pair of 1350's in front of your XR drives ? NO, its not. But its not intended for that either. But, if one truly believes the saving grace to keeping their drives together in a offshore boat is going easy getting on plane, go watch the Amsoil boat running in key west video again, and tell me its the "planing" they need to worry about for breaking drives lol. Not only a boater, but I work in the trucking/construction industry. I see many blown driveshafts, blown rear axles, etc, on heavy duty equipment. Its not when that big Kenworth is fully loaded climbing a mountain with a huge diesel with throttle floored that snaps stuff, or even wears the parts out. Its when a driver dumps the clutch repeatedly, or tires spinning in the mud and they catch dry ground in the landfill, or things of that nature that lead to parts breakage and failure. Same back in the day when you had a car with a 10 bolt rear end. You could run around on the street all day blowing the tires off all day long. Take it to the track, bolt some slicks on, and boom, blow the rear right off the line. NO slip means something got to give.

When I see race teams like Saris, Cat can do, Qatar, actually having enough faith to install the product( these guys are no dummies), run it in their raceboats, and provide positive feedback, that's enough to make me consider one as a viable option. So thank you Team Saris, for this report, and I as a consumer, am looking forward to hearing more positive feedback on this product. From where I sit at this point, reading this thread, the product seems to be working.

Very well said Mild Thunder ! You took the words out of my mouth.
When Mike explained the product to me and the length he went to do develop and test it I was blown away.

Its a definite winner.


Here is a few pictures:

Bravo version

http://33outlaw.zenfolio.com/img/s5/...45206276-3.jpg


SSM version:

http://33outlaw.zenfolio.com/img/s5/...10144629-3.jpg

Very cool product for sure. I'd love someone with a 42 fountain with xr blues to install one. I've already conceded scx uppers and sc lowers when I get one. This would be a much cheaper route if it saves it. Lol

Not at all. If you told me we had regular rubber couplers Id believe you

Well Put Mild!!!!!
It's an excellent product. Our before and after gear sets prove that. It isn't a magic potion, its real engineering, and it works.
You're right on the 1350 deal too. You know some guy will buy a set (we will be releasing prices soon, stay tuned. I bet it's a lot less than what some of you are speculating), put them in a fountain with 1100s and cry he still broke bravos. And with our program, we do see some wear on the gears. But, why wouldnt we? We'd see some wear on the gears if all we did was idle. Fact is, we run our stuff as hard as possible, and if all we see on our gears is a bit of wear at the end of a 5-7 race season, that's a total win.

Actually I would be a player for a set of them. They seem to be just what my set up is lacking (among other things) and seem to be a great bang for the buck if pricing ends up in the range we are thinking.

I will keep you posted Abones

I think we are all trying to say the same thing. :flag:

Amazing product! Amazing Data! A new Amazing company much needed in the offshore world!

Its not fair to confuse members that the drive guardian actually "is" snake oil. Its a tool that when used in the proper application will help Drastically!

It will not make a large enough/if any positive impact on an overpowered drive recreational driven that doesn't see much air.

Many of us have been given false hopes from drive upgrades that in all reality might help a little but weren't worth the money spent.

Any model of drive that is overpowered will prematurely wear out. It happens more then we know, only bravo guys come on here and complain the #6 guys just pay the money and fix! Lol!

I would personally use this product on unleashed since the HP matches the drives rating AND I drive her HARD!

But I don't feel its the best solution for everyone's situation.

Out of curiosity, what's the price point?

Merc should put these in front of every bravo. I love the idea and the execution looks great.

I suspect drive manufactures have been giving conservative input torque ratings due to this phenomenon.

Icdedpeople and mild thunder should crank up to 1200hp in front of those #5s with these and let us know how it goes. :D