Is a BMAX a bad idea with only 450-500 horse
 

Just looking for some opinions, I need to make a decision to keep the project moving. Doing some built 383's in the 450-500 horse range. I dislike merc stuff and am coming from volvo DPS's. Is the Bmax simply too much drive for me? Will cost me ALOT of speed? I have had one before and it was stout as all get out. There are two used with 200 hours I'm looking at.

My alternative is just leaving the engines at about 450hp and buying two new bravo x drives with 3 year warranties and just using the warranty if need be.

Resale too, which do you guys think would be more attractive?

IMO, BMax's are overkill and will cost you some speed.

Merc isn't going to warranty drives behind non Merc power.

Anything NOT bravo based will be good LOL

If your engines are not stock merc then don't worry about how not having merc drives will affect resale

Give us more build details

A regular bravo, setup correctly, will be perfectly fine behind a 450 to 500 HP engine.

Not only will it cost you speed, any service that requires the drive to come off costs a gallon of oil!

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...ong-story.html

These are the motors he is planning on... http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...4AAOSwDk5T9FDx

$5000 383 complete !? Am I missing something?

Similar to that actually engine but with many of those parts in that build. cam on that engine would not be correct. And am still deciding between a few minor items like steel heads, closed cooling, some upgraded parts, etc. thinking no steel no closed because I'm fresh only. That is a builder called "race engines" out of green acres wa.

My local builder here in Charlotte is right at that same price point and or I was looking at a crate from places like blueprint engines and prestige motors ports for ever so slightly more.

From all the shops in my area I've found a range from about 4500 to say 6500 for turn key (minus manifolds). I'll prob end smack dab in the middle of that.

Had not even thought about there being no warranty if not behind stock merc power. I'm going to have to call about that. That is a great point.

2004 Formula Fastech 292. Hoping for mid 80's. Looking at 900-1000 total horse. Will probably be around 900 because I don't want to over cam. Boat has no hydro steering and my builder is telling me just mount a connecting rod on the back by the drives and go from there if I want full hydro. It's another imminent decision I need to make. Thinking about k planes, I'm on inland lakes and don't see the benefit in my situation.

"$5000 383 complete !? Am I missing something?"

Is that inexpensive? I don't need everything forged, I'm not going with huge power. Seems to be in line with everyone else I talk to.

Bmaxs also weigh quite a bit more than what a bravo does, X2 that weight off the back of a 292?

Stick with the bravo's. You will not make the torque from a small motor. Also, I had a b max, and lost a lot of speed. For me it was worth it because It was behind almost 1000 hp. As far as the steering, you should at least put on a add on hydrolic system. They are not near as expensive as a full system and work well. Good luck with the build

I know I know, but being completely serious, I'd tear into it right away, I REALLY want to try for a mid 80's boat. I posted on the thread phragle, but this is one of the other builders I am considering now after I've begun to re investigate the guy in Washington based on what you said. http://www.ebay.com/itm/420HP-Twin-3...ZT9VnA&vxp=mtr

They are local, 45 mins, good reviews and references as well. Just a little bit higher than most people I've reached out to.

I keep having an ad pop up on facebook about Shogren selling all used parts at 50% off including drives. Have you looked at his stuff? Might save ya some money

I agree, key words being SETUP CORRECTLY.

Becarefull buying the cheap shrogren drives. A friend bought a sport master fro them that looked great until after the first run. The drive had been repaired and was leaking oil through the side of the lower

If a bmax is set up properly, you won't lose any speed either. They are 40 pounds heavier than an XR. Although with 500 HP, I'd stick with an XR all day long if you have one already.

Yes, "setup correctly" is the difference maker.

I agree with this statement....I put a Bmax behind a 700HP blower engine on a 29 lavey Craft and lost no speed

The drives I have now are being sold, it's a long story, Volvo dps, cool set up actually. search my name and you'll have a good read, or a few lol. I've never had good bravo experience and it makes me leery. if I went bravo it would be the 1x rated to 450hp. I personally had a Bmax about 8 years ago now behind about 650 in a cat. Man did that thing take a beating. Never had an issue. It's why I'm drawn back to them. deaoitw my low hp

The drives I have now are being sold, it's a long story, Volvo dps, cool set up actually. search my name and you'll have a good read, or a few lol. I've never had good bravo experience and it makes me leery. if I went bravo it would be the 1x rated to 450hp. I personally had a Bmax about 8 years ago now behind about 650 in a cat. Man did that thing take a beating. Never had an issue. It's why I'm drawn back to them.

As for the weight, my volvos are huge, I'd imagine maybe weighing similar to the bmax? Plus I'm going from steel heads and manifolds to aluminum in the build

Was always curious if a DPS could be ran like a Blackhawk. Had one on my first boat and it rocked. Never hear stories of blown drives.

Was once in rough water and my hand slipped pulling the shifter into reverse. I almost cried thinking the drive exploded. Turned out to be an inexpensive coupler designed to sheer for that reason. Couple bucks and was back on the water.

Reindl is running volvo duoprops behind 575 ilmors and they beat the crap out of them airing them out....