SSM Drive Info
 

How are the SSM3a drives compared to the V or VI? Are they much stronger than the XR Bravos? I do not believe they are made any longer, are parts readily available?

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

I was considering switching my TRS to an SSM (2 or 3?), however the good folks here talked me out of it due to parts availability (or lack thereof) and other issues. Now shopping for a Konrad.

D. Ocean
Pompano Beach, FLA

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

Theres no comparison between XRs and Speedmasters of any kind.Apples
and oranges.The 3As & 5s or rated for the same power,just have different
X center heights.You will have to run transmissions if SSM drives are installed.
If you have the means theres only one choice.The 3As are still available from
Mercury.#VIs are rated for about 1000 H.P and Vs 750.I have run much
more on Big Shaft 3s with very good success over eight years.

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

Which is shorter the 3a or 5? How much? When did merc switch to the big shaft?

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

The 4,s And 5,s Are 18 Shaft To Shaft And I Believe The 3a,s Are Either 24 Or 26.i Dont Know When They Switched To Big Shafts ,when I Bought My #4 I Thought It Was A Big Shaft Compared To The Bravo But Its Small Shaft And Small Shaft Props Atre Hard To Find.

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

Also remember that if you are going to change from a Bravo to a Speedy, you are going to add a couple hundred pounds to the back of the boat. This can upset the balance of some boats, you didn't mention what type of boat you have.
Robert

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

I am actually in the market for a used boat and have seen several with #3's. I am thinking about going with large cube natural aspirated motors ~700hp range and figured the speedmasters may hold up better than bravos on a heavier v-bottom. How well do the transmissions hold up to the torque?

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

John,
If you are going to run large cubic high torque engines, I would definately try to find a boat with speedies on it. If it just the speed you are after, you can achieve the same speed with bravos and less HP due to the fact that speedies require trannies and both the drive and tranny take some HP to turn. Good luck in your boat shopping.
Robert

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

I agree totally with Tonto. It pains me to read the grief by OSO members trying to keep these Bravo-based units together. I thank my lucky stars that I stumbled onto a super boat with SSMV's. As for the transmissions, they become the weakest link as something has to give if you're going to run very hard, get a lot of air,etc. The Hubers,etc are generally very reliable. As with anything, too much power at the wrong time can cause problems, but I certantly think the decision to run Speedmasters with tranny's is a no-brainer

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

The 3A's are longer and usually for Deep V's the 5's are shorter and were generally used on Cats. Definitely try to get the 3A's over the 3's. The 3A's will have a 26 spline prop shaft and the 3's only have a 19 spline prop shaft.

I have a friend running 1000HP's through 3A's with one drive being rebuilt after 3 years. I wouldn't suggest that kind of HP through them if you are going to run the piss out of them...but if operated correctly it will hold over the 750 rated HP without a lot of trouble.

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

Mercury increased shaft size when the Cat hulls started racing.The weak
link was the tapper.I broke many small shafts and made the change to
the 26 spline.Haven't broken one sense.

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You can't beat the Speedies for being sturdy.... I had the 3's... upgraded the trannies at Huber... put them behind blown 540's... never had a moment of trouble. The only attention the drives needed was the shafts had some corrosion on the hard chroming in the seal area... let water into the drive... drained the drives,,, removed the shafts... had them precision ground down and stainless sleeves installed in the seal area... never any problems after that.

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

As for the trannies being the weak link, that's why I run crash boxes. I try keep things simple and reliable, if that's possible.
Robert

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

Tonto, I have heard the term used in racing, but what exactly is a crash box?

I would like to build a set of tall deck 4.625 to 4.75 stroke / 4.5 bore NA motors, Dart big M, Crower cranks, billet rods, AFR heads, big tube CMI headers, etc. that will run on 87 octane. Are EFI systems available for something like this? What cam do you think would work for an application like this? I have one complete 500efi top end that I thought may be modified to work on a tall deck or not. Otherwise a single carb setup will work fine. I am looking to build a real clean turn key 625-675hp motors that I can run all day and last a few seasons between rebuilds. Been down the efi blower path and want to keep everything simple this time.

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

John,
The "crash box" is simply an "in-out" gear box, you are either "in-gear" (fwd, neu, rev) or not. You cannot shift from one to the other with the engine running. When you get to the dock, you set-up one engine for forward and one for reverse to get into your slip depending on conditions, then you start which engine you want running to make the boat move the way you want it to. They got their name because at some point you ARE going to "crash" into the dock. It WILL make you think about EVERY move you make when docking. Oh, and you want to make DAMN sure the engine is going to start. Did you get my e-mail?

Robert

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

I have over 250 hours on my set-up (35 fountain/KE800s/SSMIIIs) without every having a problem. I use the BAM super cyborg trannys and they work great...never problem.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the awsome handling characteristics of Speedmasters. They are"glued" to the water and my tracking and stability is greatly improved... :)

Re: SSM Drive Info
 

Great looking drives Joe,I agree 100%. (Enough Said) Keith

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Thanks Hotpersuit!