how to switch from trs to bravo
 

I am consindering switching from a trs to a bravo drives on a fountain what is involved?

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

in laymans terms..... remove the transmissions and trash them, move the motor(s) back near transom, replace entire transom because the cutouts won't match up. And that is before you buy the Bravo setup.
Suggestion......Look at Konrad replacement drives for TRS setups. Less money in the long run AND more dependable!

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

35 feet and below, I'd change to bravo, IF you can get drives and transom assemblies for a good price.
I paid 2K each for take off HP transom assemblies. You''ll need to spend at least 2K -5K each for drives. You are halfway to Konrads and you haven't addressed the glasswork.

38 and up, I'd go with the Konrads because of the weight of the boat.

Ask me again after I'm done with my changeover to bravos.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

I don't mind doing the work myself over the winter, I would like to know who has done it or who to talk to about the best/correct way to do it so the boat drives right afterwords. The Knorads are nice but I would also have the cost of having the transes gone through while it was out and it wouldn't give me any more room in the engine compartment.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

When you're looking at the cost of Konrads don't forget that you will have TRS drives to sell. They don't make them anymore and lots of guys who aren't power junkies :rolleyes: still need them. You also have to consider where you might be headed with power and how long you may have the boat.

If the boat is a keeper and you have the Konrad conversion you will be able to add A LOT of power. For transmissions you can trade in your cores for BAM SuperCyborgs. Don't forget heavy duty drive plates to replace the flexplates that comes with TRS.

Did I say that you need superchargers? Well you do... :D

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

What are you planning on doing in the engine compartment?

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

I would like to put my bumpers or anchor bag in there or what ever , as well as making it easier for me to work on it.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

I went with the TRS to Bravo. You have the TRS & trannies to sell if you convert to bravos. If you want give me a email I'll give you my cost breakdown.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

wnelles,
Check your PM's

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

That is way too complicated. Try this instead:

1. Pull out your wallet.
2. Empty the contents of your wallet and give them to a shop experienced in such conversions.
3. Repeat step 2 multiple times.
4. Pray.

:D

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

If you want to send me a breakdown at [email protected] that would be great.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

Do the Konrad conversion. If you've got any mechanical experiance you can easily do it yourself. If you're slow it'll take you two days. You don't need to pull the motors. You'll never break one!

I've still got great deals on them. Give me a call or email and I'll give you the cost break down. You can still sell your TRS drives.

Fionn
[email protected]
510.541.8124
925.952.9623

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

If you have any mechanical experience you can do the Bravo exchange for around $5k per side if you do all the work yourself. Then sell the tranny TRS drive and TRS assem.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

May be a dumb question, but what makes the TRS's so bad. Ive heard the tranny is the weak point, but isnt the TRS a bigger drive than the Bravo ? Which in turn I would assume that the gears are bigger, which should be better, but you know what happens when you assume....Thats why Im asking for an education on the TRS. :D Thanks !

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

The TRS driver is a far stouter drive than the Bravo. They are longer which makes them slower and limits your prop selection. They're also pretty heavy. They do last much longer than Bravos but have a couple of weak points. They are directional drives which means they move the pinion gear to the front of the lower on the counter rotating drive. This is were they normally fail. The other mode of failure is the bottom vertical shaft bearing, and that's the one that will brake the shaft.

The Konrad shares much of the simplicity of the TRS. They beefed up the cases to prevent flexing and increased the shaft and bearing sizes. They also got rid of the needle bearing at the bottom of the vertical shaft and opted for a roller. They also have a speedy lower unit that sits 1.66" shorter than a TRS. This opens up the door for 4 and 5 blade props.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

Don't they make extension box conversions from TRS's to Bravo's??

I thought I read about them somewhere. They use a bolt patter for TRS to thr transom and a Bravo bolt pattern for the other end.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

why???? If anything I'd upgrade with Konrads...

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

I have a set of TRS to Bravo conversion plates from Mercury with all the hardware. Eliminates the glasswork.

Re: how to switch from trs to bravo
 

I considered this last summer and on my '76 Cig 28SS with small blocks I decided to stay with the TRS. Would my boat go faster with Bravo's? Yes. Would I have more space in the engine room with Bravo's? Yes. Would my boat be any more reliable with Bravo's? Maybe, but the TRS's are working very well, thank you. Would my boat have better resale value with Bravo's? Yes, but let's look at that closer: The best deal on Bravo's (new) is to buy turn key 350's with drives from BAM for about $11k per side (plus shipping, that can't be cheap). Let's assume $2k for transom work. That's $24k. Perhaps I can sell my TRS/trans for $2500 each and the existing 383's for $1000 each. That's $7k back in my pocket plus a bunch of hassle. So I've spent $17k and spent a helluva lot of time on my boat that currently works fine, goes 60 on GPS, and already gets more compliments and thumbs up than any other boat I've ever had. So, in conclusion, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!