I've heard both ways on the SS. Some say they have stronger gears, and others say they are the same. I tend to believe they are all the same. Still wondering about the CR SS myself.

Again thanks. Appreciate your input.

Jim

The ss has developed a cult like following. It has a reputation for being stronger and faster. I'm pretty sure the faster part is true because it's smaller than a standard alpha (I think shorter). The stronger part I question. It would be nice to hear from someone who knows..... Does the ss have different (stronger) parts than a standard alpha.

Mike

Mike as you say the SS is faster, about 5 MPH on a 20' Cig with twin turbos I did a number of years ago. Still uses the same gears as the regular drive, so no stronger. It is hard to hurt one with a small block, but the big block setup has too much torque for it to last under hard use.

I have alphas on twin 350mags. I have problems when I run them hard on shifting in and out of gear. I adjust them, they shift perfect all season, I run em hard, and they are harder to shift. I learned that If I change the oil in them frequently, they shift a lot better.

I take off easy with them and once im on plane I hammer the s**T out of them. I keep them in the water, and if they start coming out, I watch the throttles closely.

I do wish I had bravos, but I am with you jimmy, not spending that kind of money on this boat.

JimmyBaja,
I converted my 26' Sutphen twin 350 Mag boat from standard to counter-rotating Alpha's two years ago. The difference is night and day when it comes to handling. No reliability issues to-date. I believe that even if you run a tie bar, the torque from std. rotating drives will wear out your gimbals and steering components faster than counter-rotating units. Your mechanic can answer this question. So you win on both these issues.
Look for someone that is repowering and moving up to Bravo's. That will likely be your cheepest source for a set of c/r Alphas. Have your mechanic look at them prior to purchasing.

Did you gain any mph with the switch?????????
Just curious

I think it is 2" shorter than a standard alpha, and has a nosecone.

Geeter-B,
Top speed, no. But now the boat handles so much better that you can run faster in all conditions. So in that sence, yes.

i have a 26 foot scorpion with a pair of standard alphas on back and have been thinking about converting to counter rotation. just today i talked to a guy at outdrives.com about the project. he informed me that while the SS might give you a few more MPH due to the raised X dim. you pick up a significant risk factor because the parts and servicability just isnt avaliable for that drive. kinda like the speedmaster #2 . . .sure its a better drive but if you hurt it your gonna be down for a while. besides i have been looking for a pair of SS's for the last 5 or 6 months and have not seen a single one. he advised just replacing one of my drives with a new left hand unit and keep mine for a spare. i can live with that because it just cut the conversion cost in half . . . that means more gas money

dennis moore- im assuming you are the one that wrote the book on building the marine small blocks. if so thanks for the great info. that book has been invaluable to me. i'm a big fan of the small block . . .i am curently looking for a 27 sport magnum to re-do.and i am thinking about smallblocks with brovos. what do you think about a pair of GM 350 RamJet EFI crate motors. can they be marinized and would they be a good choice. i have used several GM TPI set ups on street rods that i have had GREAT luck with them. thanks again.