Is there any major advantage of upgrading to a Bravo X from a standard Bravo 1? Will the X handle 650 HP ?

Thanks

Depends, some people are tearing them up with the factory 575.
If it was me I would run your "1" if/when you break it. Then replace with "XY".

The only shiftable drives really "rated" for 650+ hp are going to be the IMCO extreme SC's, Bmax's, and Teague's I think.
An XR or XZ will probably be fine with your boat weight as well.

It doesn't sound like you want to shell out that kind of $$$$$. I know I wouldn't if I didn't have to.

Your boat is not that heavy and if you treat it right, you could probably make a Bravo 1 live........and buy 3+ of them for the price of 1 of the others.

I doubt you'll see any real advantage with just the Bravo X. I think the Bravo X only has one gear(can't remember which one) that is bigger.

Thanks for the input. My other option is to purchase an XR lower and look for or build a nice beefed up upper.

Does that sound like a good idea? I just would like the assurance that the drive is beefed up over stock.

According to what boat you are running and how much it weighs, as to what the drive can handle. I had a 4600 # boat with 750 supercharged horsepower and a stock Bravo 1 would go about 2 years before breaking. If I dogged it every day, maybe it would have not lasted. I have several freinds with the same boats and the same holds true. The XZ and the XR drives are a lot more heavy duty. Remember, you can break an Imco if you abuse it. I know plenty of them broken. The XZ and the XR both have the larger lower prop shafts and the only difference is the upper. The XR has straight cut gears which are stronger. The only thing is, the XR takes more horsepower to turn it. I lost 2 mph when I changed from XZ to XR.

Thanks Steet,

My boat weighs approximatel 4700# with fuel, me and the wife. I have a line an XZ that needs work for $2500. I guess it is hard shifting into forward.

Any ideas on what would cause this? Reverse is fine.