A variety of issues on both drives over the 5 years. Boat is at LOTO and was always services by Bravo Shop up till owner had enough and went to PBC. Owner said BShop always pointed the failures toward something else. the upper gear set never failed but ended up needing replaced due to other metal in drive

Is the BMAX drive using the larger Volvo Penta DPH upper gear set? I know the uppers are heli cut. The Volvo Penta DPH is used on their high torque Diesel engines. It would make sense on where they get the gear set. The DPH is a cone clutch gear set much like merc bravo.
http://bravoshop.net/index.php?main_...oducts_id=1494

https://m.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-PENTA-F...-/351769857299

No way. Look at the difference in the top housing width. The dph is like a b1. The bmax has a 5.5" ring gear. It's huge!

I have seen Bmax gears close up and looking at these two they look Very similar. Nothing wrong with it. Volvo D6-400 is running 700 ft lb of torque through them with warranty and from my research have been reliable. VP recommends inspection/replacement at 1500 hrs. Merc is running 575 ft lb with XR gear set behind 370 hp diesel

Can not speak currently for Volvo but their gears were made / manu / process in Sweden in the past. Their outdrives are tough - we have seen and worked on the old DP that all the oil has leaked out and still held up over the test of time. The older Volvo drives, not the best looking but they worked and were very durable.

The DPX was another darn good drive made by them. Expense and lack of props was the negative.

SCX vs BMax Questions that come to mind:
- Resale value of our boat with them installed, is it a positive vs XRs? Are buyers worried about replacement BMax and IMCO parts?
- Behind 770hp/side is one a better choice than the other, will the "lesser" drive of the 2 be reliable with that power?
- Running heavier oil help gear life?
- BMax uses the standard XR helmet? If so any failures because of that?
- IMCO reservoir change, is it best do with a BMax also?

SCX for sure , had standard & SCX-4,s , 980 + hp a side . Dont bank on resale now days , only for your own piece of mind . I would be worried if your still running bravo,s . SCX has to use a larger [ IMCO SCX only ] helmet & gimble ring or it will not fit .

Bmax do use a hp helmet/transom assembly. And it comes with a large reservoir.

Mine have been flawless so far so shifting issue no water intrusion no metal. 36ft eliminator cat