Alpha to bravo
 

I got a 350 mags I'm going to convert to 383 in fall I don't want to waste money on ext steering if I got to go to bravo is it easy to convert over and what parts can I use on the alpha if any any help would be great

You can re-use the engine.......and maybe the prop if it's currently too large. Transom assembly, etc will not be re-used. I once heard the inner transom plate could be re-used but not sure. And, if the boat will hit 70 mph you REALLY need hydraulic steering regardless which drive you are running.

You need complete transom assemblies and the drives of course. You will need to drill 2 more holes in the transom for the Bravo transom assemblies to bolt up.

You will also need raw water pumps to get water to the engines from through the drives or through the hull. Bravos dont have water pumps as Alphas do

If it was me, I would stay with the Alphas. I long term boating friend has a mid-80's 30' Scarab with SBC 383 rebuilds making mid-300's HP and he has never broken a drive. Even if you broke a drive, you could fix it for a fraction on the Bravo conversion process.

I know how u feel. I just put in a 500 hp sbc in my 24ft boat with a alpha 1. It scares me but I can't afford the bravo this yr so I have been looking for anything I can to help the alpha live threw this yr. benperfected has a good point! With 2 drives its not as hard on them. So yes u have to drill two holes per out drive and add water pumps. Plus if u have power steering coolers they may be the wrong size hose and u will have to adapt. U will need inner and outer transom assembly's as mentioned above. Plus two new flywheel covers(I think?). Two drive couplers to work with the bravo drives and of course the drives. If u were looking for opinions and I know u did not ask but I would put showers and lube reservoirs on the alphas and run them till u blow one up. With twins u can still make it back to the ramp!!

Thanks all I think I'll run the alphas with drive showers and see what happen with the more power behind the drive and get ext.steering I'll keep you all posted if the drive make it or not...

I'd run the alpha drives too. Keep the gear lube fresh and use good lube and don't be "mr. Holeshot" and they will do ok.

I'm doing this conversion now just for piece of mind. I was running an SEI Alpha behind my BBC w/500 hp + with no issues but was able to buy a complete boat to get all parts needed to convert.

As mentioned you will need a raw water pump setup, drive reservoir, intermediate housing, gimbal assy, and possibly may want to change the coupler.

I will post pics soon of the swap.

My 383 that I'm building should be 440 ish hp & Tq. I'm staying with the Alpha, just keep it cool, good lube and don't beat on it out of the hole and it should live a decent life.

Fast and loud love to see the set up post soon:cool-smiley-026::cool-smiley-026::cool-smiley-026::cool-smiley-026::cool-smiley-026:

Depending on the size of the boat, driving habits, the A will live. I had a alpha n my 202 Stinger @ 4xxhp and it lived a long time. It broke in a area that wasn't a down shaft ect, feel it was not from HP. Were gona toss 6xx hp at it this year. Bravo will go on a alpha hole but its another bolt hole, still need the rest of the B drive and housing

John jr

Hey Scarab,

I will start a post with the process in the restoration area, wish it were going faster but work keeps getting in the way!

Fast N Loud, I have a thread in the classic section, I have to keep looking for it because I keep getting side tracked because of work (life), so I know the feeling!!!

CC maybe one day I can get around the work issue.

I did start a thread titled "alpha to bravo swap" in the restoration area.