XR Outdrives vs. XZ
 

I have heard that using an XR drive instead of an XZ cost you a mile per hour or 2 on top end. Any truth to this? Also, I am hearing that there a lot of problems with the XR's blowing out seals. This concerns me and I am just asking for opinions or actual experiences good or bad. Thanks

my 31 ao has twin 970 hp blower motors on xz 1.36 bravos with 60 hrs on the pin. no problems yet. i run it hard

Their is a new retainer available for XR/XZ that eliminates the seal problem. It is now in the EPC so local dealer should be able to look it up or just call "Lake X". HP loss in XR (straight gears) is minimal. XZ is much quieter though not quite as strong. 970 is way too much power for any factory Bravo. It takes a very good throttle to make it last. If you can afford the "large chunk of change" the VI drive life can be measured in four digits. Dry sumps are megabucks but they consume LESS HP than Bravo's (FACT) and way out last Bravo's. Add up cost of rebuilding over-powered Bravo's compared to a Mercruiser VI not to mention headaches and tow charges. How many broken VI headaches have you heard out lately! It's very rare. Bravo's are wonderful drives but never meant to take some of these crazy horsepower numbers.

What Rhino said. We do have the seal retainers on the shelf. PN is 11-841026A2, we sell it for $52.34

Steet,

70 Hours on the XZ's behind the 500's this season and no problems.

Ken with the 38 Fountain, 575's did blow a seal just a couple of months ago on his XR's. I think this is the first problem he has had like that.

Mark

Why would the XR be more likely to blow seal than the XZ ?

supposedly the straight cut gears create more pressure and heat.. so stuf moves around more..

Anyone have a seal retainer, with the ridge, that will fit a standard Bravo housing? I know Max Works does..
Any info would be appreciated..

Dick

Does that mean the pinion shaft or gear or what? please be extremely specific. thanks

Mark/KAAMA