What year did Fountain stop using the TRS drives?
 

about what year did Fountain stop using the TRS drives on their boats
I see up into 92 still boats with the TRS drives on them.
WTF
Friend of mine has an 88 IMP and it has a bravo on it
My 90 has 2 bravo's on it
What the hell is the deal with the TRS drives?

Why was fountain so over the top in love with these heavy monsters?

Jason

I would guess 92-93

Why are they so in love with them? Well because they are stronger then a Bravo, especially when bravo's first came out. If you ran big power into Bravo's then you would spend big money fixing them every weekend. The TRS drives are not bad drives. Anyone that tells you that they are just does not know what they are talking about. The only reason I will change over to Bravo is because I can not get parts any more and am FORCED into it. The TRS drives shift beter, can handle more power, and contrary to popular opinion I believe they are more hydro dynamic. Everyone that I know that has swapped over to Bravo drives is either going slower or the same speed yes that is after that "horsepower robbing" transmision :D:D

Jon

yeah but aren't they cast iron casings?
Plus they have the transmission INSIDE the boat not in the drive itself.
No parts left out there or slim pickings is all that is left
I cant justify spending tens or hundreds of thousands on a boat that if a drive gets nailed by something submerged or gets worn out ect, that your Boned
THink about it
rather build a bravo a few times while having a boat than have a TRS that you cant get parts for and you have to scrounge to get it to work if your that fortunate or buy a used one which the prices are going up since supply is NIL and demand has to be still pretty high and getting higher
Dont you agree Jon?
Jason

Haven't needed one yet (mine are doing just fine), but I don't think TRS parts are that rare. I see lots of TRS drives listed and no more expensive than a Bravo, usually less.

They are all alluminum just like a Bravo

As far as parts go, there are not any parts that you can not get for a TRS drive. Will that change with time, ya probably, but not now and not for a while. YOu have to remember that these are the most popular performance drive ever made to date (Bravos may be past them now) but suffice it to say there are LOTS of them out there. I just rebuilt a brand new one myself last year, new case, new gears, new everything, no problem.

Jon

Jay, I had just recieved all the parts to rebuild my TRS drive. Gears, bearings, shim kits etc. Everything was in stock and I recieved all the parts the next day.

The Borg Warner trans is cast iron, not the drive:D yikes:eek: imagine a cast iron outdrive!!!

Does anyone have a good deal on a TRS lower housing???I can get one direct from merc but they are more than I can swing at the moment :eek:

...looking forward to get back to work,

Kurt.

okay you both have sorted out some of the Myth's about the TRS
I have always had a liking for the ICBM's and in seeing Tinkerboaters Video of this boat called Too Bad (40 foot fountain)
ripping around got me thinking that the boat I really want I cant even get near to afford yet (41 apache War Party)
so might have to stretch too far to go there, so a 40-42 fountain in the interim between the baja and the war party might suit me well. These older 88-92 fountains with nice power loaded up are moderate priced boats and very VERY pretty.
Fountain has always been commended for how they run and handle themselves (not as good in really crazy rough water as compared to apache and or cig's ) but I dont go in open seas, Hell I run in a freaking boring river so this would be way more than ever expected I would need anyway.
There is a ICBM for sale up at trenton marine in NJ for 69 thou with twin 420's and TRS drives.
I have always tried to lean away from TRS and was wondering since the bravo came out in 88 and a few were present in the late 87 boats as I guess prototypes why Fountain used TRS
for so long after the introduction of the bravo was my point.
Thanks guys
Jason

If you think Fountain loved them, check out mid 90's Cigarettes. I've seen TRSs on a 96 Cig.
Gary

I would take my TRS over Bravo's any day......I have had two boats with twins in each of them both with TRS drives...I like the smooth shifting with no klunk and as some others have stated I haven't had any parts availability problems either....only other drive would be a #3 or #6......Fred;)

any of the speed masters I would take as well.
They can handle alot of power and abuse.

Is a #3 damn near close to a TRS?
Housing same or different?
Jason