How long does it take to change from an Alpha drive to a Bravo?

Is the cutout the same?

Any patching necessary?

What parts are needed (Major)?

Nothing urgent, just planning for when the Alpha drive goes to lunch behind the 383.

Anybody have luck w/ used units, or is that just asking for it?

Is it worth getting a shorter Bravo drive to raise X dim?

Running ~ 70 now, maybe get a few more after break-in and re-propping.

Take care of your Alpha and you may save yoursef the expense of a swap. Install a driveshower and don't kill it out of the hole...... I have heard from quite a few folks that have big blocks and alphas that are running strong after several seasons....
There is another active thread on the subject right now outlining parts needs. The transom cutouts are the same but the bravo needs two additional holes drilled...
Ken

Senza,

Do a search on this subject and you will find a lot of detailed info. I did this swap on my boat - not really that big of a deal, but there are a lot of little details that you have to know about. I posted a detailed analysis of this several months ago. If you can't find the thread, let me know and I will either find it for you or post more info on this thread.

As Ken said, if you are running a light weight boat and you don't get too crazy with it (i.e. hole shots, launching off wakes), it should hold up OK. I mainly changed mine out because I switched to a big block - made sense from a resale standpoint. Remember, you will likely lose several MPH with the Bravo due to increased drag, weight, and the external seawater pump robbing horsepower.

so easy you will kick yourself for not doing it earlier.

You pull your old alpha stuff. Drill 2 new holes. Then you bolt on your new bravo stuff. I did it a few weeks ago. See if you can get eth bravo mounting template. It is a metal thing with guides on it so you drill the holes perpendicular to the transom. Get 2 long bolts so you can bolt the bracket to teh transom using your existing lower holes then just drill teh top wo.

its that frickin easy.

Out of curiosity is the inner transom assembly the same for alpha and bravo?
Ken

Ken,

When I was swapping mine, I held them up next to each other, and I couldn't see much of a difference.

dunno i sold all alpha stuff and got all bravo stuff. I never actually compare dthe two plates. The bravo has two upper bolts that teh alpha doesn't have.