Need your guys opinion.
Am about to set up a 21' deep v ski race boat and cant work out which drive to use.
Engine will be 650-700hp NA.

Which drive is better, Imco SCX or Bravo 1 XR.

Also any idea on cost difference (new or second hand) for complete drives inc gimbals/steering etc?

Apples and oranges imo. You should be ok with a B1XR and that HP. SCX will require a helmet change. That drive will cost you $12K brand new.

If you buy complete new why would it need a helmet change?
Also why apples to oranges? I was of the understanding they where roughly equivilant drives?
Thanks for your input. I mostly used to deal with v-drives so not that in the know

IMCO SCX drives were designed for high HP combos... if your in the 650/700HP range, you can get a bravo xr for alot less and save yourself alot of money,,, but (my opinion) is the IMCO SCX is by far the more advanced, high HP, drive with all the heavy internal parts, however, its comes with a heavy price,, so like the guy above me said, expect to pay well over 12-13K...

good luck!

13K will seem like a bargain once you have to replace a few blown up XR drives. Not to mention the added reliability for en event and lack of down time.



Darrell.

Trust me, 700hp = Imco SCX.... that's what I am swapping right now!
Too many of these.......

I have heard alot about XR failures, especially on this forum.
I can understand why they fail in an offshore/large boat situation even when coupled to an engine within the drives hp/torque recomendations. The pounding they cop would be quite phenomonel.
I thought $13k was a reasonable price for a complete new drive. Whats an XR worth new/complete? Thought they would be more?

My boat, although 700hp, i doubt would put the drive under as much strain as a large offshore cat.

[QUOTE=DMOORE;3299113]13K will seem like a bargain once you have to replace a few blown up XR drives.


BINGO!!
Now If only I woulda done it BEFORE i wasted about 5 XRs!

That's the big factor right there. What does your 21ft weigh?
But it does sound like you'll be ski racing, so I'd opt for the more durable equipment up front.

SCX will take all the pounding 700hp can give it. XP........not so much.
2 busted up XR's will pay for one SCX.