I posted this in a different thread, but after reading the title I think it is a separate thread... Hopefully someone here will chime in. I'm in the process of repowering a '99 388 poker run and considering installing 12" imco boxes I have access to. Right now I have HP500s and bravo outdrives. My questions are, if I use the standoffs and the bravo drives what should I expect? I know there are better options, but I'm trying to make use of the outdrives I have for now with the thought I could upgrade in the future. Also any idea on prop pitch for this setup? Any guidance or personal history would be greatly appreciated.

If you install the boxes you are going to need shorter drives unless you raise the engines. without the shorter drives your drives are going to be deeper than without the boxes.

Thats what I figured. Thank you for the reply . I thought about picking up a pair of short lowers when I found a decent deal. Any disadvantage to running standard lowers until then? Anybody have experience with the standoffs?

From info I gathered, our 388's actually like the drives a bit deeper. More leverage. I planned to either do boxes or spacers. Obviously spacers were much cheaper and done in a few hrs so I added them. Haven't had test time yet but from how the boat originally blew out 4 blades bad, and needed 5 blades, I think I'm making a smart move.

The boxes will give you more trim leverage. With boxes and the drives at the correct height you won't need as much trim. I use very little trim now after installing the boxes and getting the props at the correct height.

I'm just not quite sold on boxes for these 388's yet. Be interesting to see the before vs after. But if there is no gain, that's a lot of dough and work for nothing...

Well I decided to try the boxes. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. I wont have a true before and after because the motors that are going in the boat are not the ones it ran before, but I am excited to get it together!

Sweet! Yeah, let us know if they help or not. Is yours a poker run, or regular 388? Keeping standard length lowers?

Its a 99 poker run version. Going standard lowers for now. Need to find a set of decent props (30s)

I think the poker run would like the -2's... less bow weight needed to leaverage. But, hey, this is why we test right?!? Appecitate you sharing your info. I will be testing 4 and 5 blades with my -0 IMCO with spacer as well.