TRS VS Bravo 1
 

I currently have the TRS drive in my boat and I'm thinking about changing over to the Bravo 1. One of the reasons is to try to get rid of some weight on the stern. So do any of you guys know what the weight difference would be between the two? Also would the durability of the Bravo be as good as the TRS? I was told that Mercruiser rated the Bravo to handle 650 HP.
Thanks, Steve

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

no. but you can get parts for the bravo :rolleyes:

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

The Bravo wont hold up better than the TRS. Going to a Bravo is a downgrade in reliability and a VERY expensive proposition. You would be far better off switching over to a Konrad. It's a bolt on replacement for the TRS. The Konrad needs only oil changes and will not brake!!! They have ZERO failures on their hi-performance drives.

When you convert to a Bravo you will change the CG of the boat when you move the motors back. Depending on the hull you may loose performance even though you are dropping some lbs off.

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

And you'll definitely need parts if you switch to bravo!
Weight savings will be from losing the 100lb tranny. The bravo drive may save you 20-30 lbs (never weighed them, just lifted them).
But as was pointed out, it's expensive. And IMHO, a standard bravo on a heavy boat with more than 400hp will be less reliable than your TRS.

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

The weight #'s depend on whether your rig has the MerCtrans or B/W transmission. The B/W, cast iron bell-housing, cooler, etc. add 150# over the MerCtrans. Gary told you right if it is the B/W tranny, but I wouldn't try to put much over 400 hp through a stock MerCtrans set-up. The TRS outdrive will handle just about anything you want to run on pump gas. --- Jer

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

I thought bravos were considered pretty reliable.......are you guys just talking about big horsepower?

Thanks,
Aaron

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

I have the MerCtrans II. I'm not sure of the year. The serial# is 0014128. Model# MOM-E. As of now it's a stock 420, however I would like to bump it up a notch or two. I don't plan on making over 600 HP. So does anyone know how much the MerCtrans would weigh, and if I do go with the Bravo, how much father would the engine sit back?

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

Going from the mercII trans/TRS to the bravo, the engine moves back about 4 inches.
DS

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

I think most of your weight saving would be in the outdrive change. The MerCtrans/bellhousing assembly. is really not that much heaver than the Bravo bellhousing/rear mount assembly. But unless you plan to make some extensive upgrades to that MerCtrans and NOT be a cowboy, I wouldn't recommend trying to put 600HP through it. Might just as well upgrade to the Bravo (for which parts are readily available) and plug it all in two or three inches higher in order to take advantage of today's modern prop technology. --- Jer

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

The weight savings in changing to a Bravo will be MOSTLY in removing the trany not the drive. I'll say this again. Changing to a Bravo is NOT an upgrade but a downgrade from a TRS. You will have to plug your transom, move your motors, get all new inner transom plate/bellhousings etc. You will most likely need to replace your exhaust as it will be too long for a Bravo configuration. This will be a major re-rig and will cost some seriouse $$$$ .

A Konrad BOLTS on! No moving/modifying/replacing ANYTHING else. It is far stronger and more reliable than any Bravo configuration. You also have a modern prop selection and it's shorter than the TRS. Konrad also has stand off boxs' availible.

Check out; http://mywebpages.comcast.net/p4-33/

This is the Fountain of Youth P4 class boat. Two seasons on ONE set of drives. They are in KW now beating the competition who run Bravos!

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

Konrad......Why even consider a Bravo ?....

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

I've been running 600+ HP through my TRS/MercTrans setup for over 17 years and over 1000 hours. At about 700 hours the clutches would slip if I did a full throttle acceleration. I could still run at top speed as long as I accelerated moderatly. Most of the time, I don't do full throttle acceleration. I rebuilt the trans with upgraded clutches for less than $200. Now it's been 5 years since the rebuild and no problems. I don't allow the boat to launch at high speeds (70-85 MPH) but below that, I'm willing to play around.

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

Rodger, I'm right in your area. Send me an e-mail. [email protected].

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

DAMN GUYS; " Lost" is talking about a MerCtrans transmission; NOT the B/W unit that WILL handle everything you want to put in. If he had said he had the B/W unit, then I would have told him to go for the moon and change to the Konrad short Hi-Perf unit when his TRS fails. (if it ever does) And Rodger; I congratulate you, cause you are the only other guy I know that has run 600+ HP through a MerCtransII for any length of time without catastrophic failure. --- Jer

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

Thanks guys. I'm sure that the Konrad is the way to go; however my weakest link is the MerCtrans. I wanted to lighten up the a$$ end some so my deck will self-bail. The Konrad would add even more weight and I would still have the weak Merc trans. :( I just pulled the engine and trans. The trans is pretty light (approx 50 lbs) I could see where the small input shaft or output could break pretty easy. The trans seems to be the original 1978; it's hard to believe that it has outlasted at least two engines. :eek: I'm probably going to just run the Merc trans until it does break. I don't get any air time or do full throttle starts so just maybe the trans will last a little longer. I going to look into beefing up the trans just to make me feel better. :rolleyes: BTW I don't know if all TRS's are this way but mine uses a standard mercury V6 prop.

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

Do yourself a favor and monitor ebay for a merc trans. Lately they have been going cheap, but they will have to dry up, right.
You can probably pick up one for $300.
If it has a good pump in it you will be way ahead (Have you checked the price of the pump from Mercury??).
rebuild it and keep it for a spare!

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

Tom Huber can build your MerCtrans to be reliable for up to about 550 hp. Any prop that fits an Alpha or std. shaft Bravo will also fit the TRS. And I see that you found out for yourself that with the MerCtrans (as opposed to the B/W), there would be very little weight saving with the transmission part of the conversion --- Jer

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

The MerTrans internally is very similar to Ford stuff. A fellow I know who specializes in the buiding of dragstrip automatics recommended some special clutches manufactured by Raybestos. I used these clutches and Type F ATF and so far so good.

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

Yep, that's the way to go! And Huber works a few other "magic tricks" to get the pump to hold up. I also cryo-treat all moving pump parts and shafts for added strength. --- Jer

Re: TRS VS Bravo 1
 

I have an 87 Buick Grand National that's making around 625 HP @ the flywheel. It has the 2004R trans, which is considered to be weak. One of the first things that break is the forward shaft. I had mine cryo-treated, it still broke. :mad: I ended up getting a billet shaft. So far it has held up great. :D I have built several automatic transmissions, so I can't imagine this merc trans being too difficult to rebuild and beef up. I wonder if anyone makes any billet parts for this thing?