The 6 is the best overall drive period. Hydrodynamics are way better than the 8. I know a guy who tried even the M8Rs and saw no improvement. I know of a 388 Skater getting 1350s and is sticking with the 6s.

NA 850-900 DOHC is coming from what I've been told by reliable source. They aren't putting their life on it but pretty confident. Perhaps Miami boat show 2016!

I understood the #6 drive to be the lease efficient hydrodynamic design of the 3...I imagine each may effect a particular boat differently, but would really like to understand how each works from a hydrodynamic standpoint.

Correct me if Im wrong but I thought the transmission was the weak link in the NXT package.Are they going to upgrade that for the 6 drive or do away with the entire package?

I am sure there will be lots of opinions on this.... I believe that the cone clutch transmission design sucked especially when bumping up to Stage 3. But the cone clutch design consumes very little HP. I also believe that in many applications the lower on the 6 is a much better overall performing vs the NXT. In fact quite a few boats built with 700 engines and 6 drives on the West coast for that reason.

Mercury QC4V NA 850 hp already exists and is listed on their website as a Class 1 race engine

Not as much as you would think only 65 pounds.

Hydrodynamics is much improved with the newer M8's. Heard Merc Racing used Wilson to help resign the lower gear case. The problem with the turbo motors and the 6's is Mercury will only warranty the drive with 1:42 gears. The M8's you have choices.

Glad I went with this when I put my package together Whippled 525 EFI @ 750 hp IMCO SCX4 [ATTACH=CONFIG]539629[/ATTACH]

They aren't NA, they have little turbos