Looking to see what kind of max HP i can put on a 96 Bravo one, it's in a 25 elim. eagle. I'm currently at 500hp, may be going to 575hp.....

I have been told 600HP/TQ is about the limit. However many factors influence the life cycle of the drive. How heavy the boat is, aggressive planing, WOT RPM, hard acceleration from any speed, and prop leaving the water can all significantly influence premature drive failures. We are thinking of doing something similar to our 25ft boat w/ single B1. Some of the engine builders we have talked to mentioned it is just going to be a matter of time before the drive has to be inspected possibly upgraded. A 1996 B1 behind a 500hp is problably a little tired anyway. Go for more power and run the drive till she breaks. Everything breaks/wears out with time and stress. Your engine upgrade will just speed up the program.

500 horse is already at or beyond. It's typically not some magical line where the drive grenades, but you're drastically shortening the lifespan of the drive. If you change oil very regularly, that will help. The cone clutch upgrade will help as well. Yearly disassembly for inspection and re-shimming will do wonders as well. 575 hp is going to speed things up a bit.

holeshots and jumps changes the picture substantially- now you are dealing with that 'magic line"

PM Articfriends, he has broken the most Bravo's of anyone I know on a light boat. I have 610HP in front of one but only a 2400 lb boat. No problems so far, but I don't drag or wave jump at WOT very often.

I have about 650hp and alot of torque running a bravo one and have had no problems,i am not an idiot with it,but i do get on the throttle hard,i think it might be helpful to run royal purple in the outdrive like i do,maybe it helps alot.

I have called Merc. help line and asked the same question... Right from the factory guys mouth, he states 500hp on a bravo 1. I asked him about the XR, he states 600hp... I dont know what mods you can to to up the HP ratings but I'm sure there out there.

At least 2000 HP, ask tripple digits...

You've gotten some pretty solid advice so far. The lighter the boat and easier you are on hole shots... both contribute to how long this drive will live. Royal Purple will definitely help.
Good Luck...keep us posted.

What usually breaks, the upper or the lowwer or both? I do change the oil often, but have been using the Merc HP oil. Is there any upgrade kits available for the drive that i can get? I've got all winter to come up with a plan. Motor is in pieces as we speak getting worked on. My boating season is already done.

The top will grenade. I blew up seven in three years before I went to B-Max I am over 700 HP and torque 4200 lbs. Like all stated before me it's a matter of time. You can upgrade parts and change drive oil every 25 hours but it still is a matter of time. 2 years with B-Max no sign of wear.
Bob