Steel Tower Upgrade for Bravo 1
 

I had been looking for a steel tower to install in a Bravo1. Unfortunately, the only thing I could find were supplier installed or XR towers ( which are an 1/8" shorter than Bravo1 towers). I discussed this problem with Alfster and we decided to make one. This is what we came up with: A steel tower with more thread, to increase strength, and produced from a high quality alloy. This one will be going in DanB's drive.

Maxx, the XR towers are shorter to accomodate the thicker floor in the newest gears. The inner race is about 1/8 shorter so there is no need for the taler tower, if you put the new gears in an older housing the gear clears the top of the tower by just a few thou.

Regardless, your piece looks great. I assume you will set up to thread mill the housings?

Maxx, It looks good. I like the idea. Now for some testing. I and alot of other people have been following your posts, and are interested in the outcome. Did you ever get the testing done on the Bravo, or does tommy v still have the drive. If not, when do you think you will have DanB's drive ready to go and be able to test it?
UPDATE Please :cool:

How tall is the XR tower suppose to be? Can anyone put a number on that? How about the standard tower? And what reference point could one use to measure the proper height of each..

Thanks

Dick

Marc, thanks for the info. You certainly have a wealth of knowledge on these drives. I was going to trim an 1/8" off the top of this tower for an "X" gear upgrade; it's nice to know I won't have to do that. I may take a little off for piece mind. I have already milled and threaded Dan's drive. Hopefully, I will be able to post a picture of the finished product tonight.

28eliminator, thanks for the support! Tommy had a family crisis and couldn't test the shortie. He's sending it back, and as soon as I get it; I'll be making few changes and test it here. Dan is driving up this weekend to pick up the drive; I'm not sure when he'll be able to install it.

Mr. Gadgets, our reference was taken from an old XR tower and race compared to a stock Bravo1 race. I can give you a measurement of a stock tower from the top of the tower to the floor of the spacer/thrust bearing surface.

Maxx,
If you would please supply that number It would be a big help. I did find that file we talked about, but it is in efax format. Do you by chance have an efax account? If not, I can print the file and mail it to you or you could down load the efax program and I could email the file to you.. I tried to convert the *.efx file to something else, but was unsuccessful.. Nice talking to you yesterday..

Dick

Mr Gadgets, I enjoyed our conversation also. I'll email you that number. Can you send that info by regular fax? I will post a picture of Dan's drive with the new tower tomorrow.

Okay, here's a photo of the tower installed.

Another view.

Maxx,
I could fax it to you but the pics wouldnt come out too good. I do have a copy I could mail to you. At this point I have not been able to get to my email.. while on the road. I cant remember the site I need to go to..
Let me know if you want me to mail it and I will call you for an address..

Dick