I'm looking for some practical advice on a TRS to Bravo conversion ( not considering Konrad bc nothing wrong with my current drive). I have 25' deep vee with a 330 merctrans trs setup. The transom was rotting out so it's being replaced this winter. I've only had the boat 1 season, and happy with the current power - no problems with any component thus far. I have the opportunity with the new transom to move to a bravo setup - I found a donor boat with a 1997 454 gen 5 or 6 with bravo 3 for 4k.

Concerns with this move:
- x dimension, weight change, CG
- problems with used parts

Concerns with keeping original:
- merctrans longevity
- cork transom seal on TRS (this is where water was leaking in)

I would hate to swap and have more issues, any comments/advice appreciated.

Going to the Bravo is OK.The TRS merctrans is OK unless you start putting big power to it.But you could always replace it with a Velvet drive 72c trans.The TRS drive itself is a pretty hefty unit.You would have to move the motor a little foward to do it.Parts for the TRS are around but you need to look. On the other hand the bravo set up will be much lighter.Bravo 119 lbs Trs 155 lbs plus the transmission weight.Boat might run a lot faster with the bravo.All comes down to $$$$ and what you want. We took TRS drives out of 33 fountain put in Bravo's boat ran faster and seemed to ride better. Just my 2 cents JOHN SR

What do you think I need for 55-60mph? I've read this is top end for this hull

if replacing the transom i would install a bravo unit you would gain top speed 5-7 mph,burn less fuel and have readily available parts no brainer,you could sell your trs and buy the bravo parts

55 to 60 in that resin bucket? 454-bravo. bravo 1. 3 is a nice drive, but not for speed. expensive too. and if u like your motor you don't need a donor with a good motor. you could use a lil more than 330 though. alum heads-exhaust-intake, along with bravo conversion and you are removing 200 to 250 lbs out of the back of the boat. that's a couple mph plus fuel savings right there. definitely do the conversion. you can't justify cutting a hole in that new transom for a drive setup that the youngest part you can find is 30 years old...

I figured a complete system would be cheaper than having to buy additional parts - bell housing, coupler, etc... I also thought a B3 would be better for cruise/ fuel.

probably will be better to get that way. but a b3 boat with a bad motor and ugly hull will be 2k not 4k. but u aren't getting hurt at 4k whole 97 setup. xdim. leave crank centerline where is and x is 1.7 inch higher.

Motor is good, it's a donor because has hull damage above the waterline from an impact. I'd rather do the job for cheaper... But I don't think that's possible.

Bravo three is meant for the largest, heaviest of single engine outdrive boats. No reason to go there, unless it's a real bargain - It will have more drag than a standard bravo, gear ratio's may be different, and props will be expensive. I believe you could sell the 3, and buy a standard Bravo later possibly - making sure the transom assemblies are the same. Leaving the X dimension as is, is the way to go for a standard Bravo swap. The slight change in propshaft upward will be beneficial, and won't get you into prop slip problems, even with a 3-blade. From the single TRS boats I have dealt with over the years, there can be different x-dimensions for the same exact hull, depending on the year. Differences around an inch is what I've seen. No matter which it is, it should be fine with the prop going up the 1.58 or so it does swapping to a Bravo. The shifting of weight rearward is almost always beneficial - results in less drive angle for the same amount of bow lift, thus less drag, and more efficiency/speed. Plus there is the simplification of the drivetrain, which always equals increased reliability - less parts to break for fail, or leak, or rust. It is the single best thing you can do to a TRS boat. The TRS is NOT stronger than a standard Bravo, nor vise versa - they are about the same, with the upper gears being the weak point of the Bravo, and the lower gears for the TRS. Take Daves word for it, with MDG above... it's the way to go.... and he knows it all extremely well.

Thanks for the posts, B1 sounds like the most cost effective, and likely provide the best performance.