What is the shortist housing made for bravo 1, I need to shorten up the x-dim by 3 1/2 to 4". Or what will k-planes do for top speed with a drive that is to low? If I cut out a new hole for the drive then the exhaust will dump on the swim platform.

IMCO have lower units up to 3" shorter than stock.

http://www.imcomarine.com/pages/sterndrives.html

you can use a 3" offset extension box, but you would have toraise the engine and relocate your exhaust. And you'de be dumpin onto the platform

imco 3" shorty

raise it where you want it, then get custom tailpipes made.

How do you know that that you have to raise it that much?????

3.5- 4 inches is a LOT.

I would try the shortened lowers first for sure. Mine was high and just lowering it just one inch made a huge difference.

Griff, I was told the x-dim for my hull should be approx. 3" below the pad, mine is 7". It's an old 1985 aero, I was told its the same hull as the 24' pantara, they like to set the x-dim low for ride quility not performance, which is histerical because it's a performance boat.

I would try the 3" lower first. My 28 Pantera with a notched transom was set with the propshaft 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 inches below the bottom. It was a little high and and I couldn't carry the bow enough. I lowered it 1". Cruise speed went up 3-4 mph @ 3600rpms. Slip went down, and I gained 1-2 mph on the top end. Easier to getting on plane and could trim it higher without blowout to carry the bow better.

I just talked to imco, he said I sould try a 3" shortie, the kit comes with all componets. He said I'd have to cut off the cavatation plate and install a new "shield" thats what he called it, so that the prop would clear, anybody done that? Also he said I could expect about a 4 mile an hour increase, but I was told by a boat builder that I could expect a 10 mph increase? What gives?

An increase of 4 mph is certainly possible. 10 mph would be miraculous. Keep us posted

at best is 2 mph per inch, so three inch shorter drive you might get 6 max, but count on 4 are 4.5 mph increase