How are the SSM3a drives compared to the V or VI? Are they much stronger than the XR Bravos? I do not believe they are made any longer, are parts readily available?

I was considering switching my TRS to an SSM (2 or 3?), however the good folks here talked me out of it due to parts availability (or lack thereof) and other issues. Now shopping for a Konrad.

D. Ocean
Pompano Beach, FLA

Theres no comparison between XRs and Speedmasters of any kind.Apples
and oranges.The 3As & 5s or rated for the same power,just have different
X center heights.You will have to run transmissions if SSM drives are installed.
If you have the means theres only one choice.The 3As are still available from
Mercury.#VIs are rated for about 1000 H.P and Vs 750.I have run much
more on Big Shaft 3s with very good success over eight years.

Which is shorter the 3a or 5? How much? When did merc switch to the big shaft?

The 4,s And 5,s Are 18 Shaft To Shaft And I Believe The 3a,s Are Either 24 Or 26.i Dont Know When They Switched To Big Shafts ,when I Bought My #4 I Thought It Was A Big Shaft Compared To The Bravo But Its Small Shaft And Small Shaft Props Atre Hard To Find.

Also remember that if you are going to change from a Bravo to a Speedy, you are going to add a couple hundred pounds to the back of the boat. This can upset the balance of some boats, you didn't mention what type of boat you have.
Robert

I am actually in the market for a used boat and have seen several with #3's. I am thinking about going with large cube natural aspirated motors ~700hp range and figured the speedmasters may hold up better than bravos on a heavier v-bottom. How well do the transmissions hold up to the torque?

John,
If you are going to run large cubic high torque engines, I would definately try to find a boat with speedies on it. If it just the speed you are after, you can achieve the same speed with bravos and less HP due to the fact that speedies require trannies and both the drive and tranny take some HP to turn. Good luck in your boat shopping.
Robert

I agree totally with Tonto. It pains me to read the grief by OSO members trying to keep these Bravo-based units together. I thank my lucky stars that I stumbled onto a super boat with SSMV's. As for the transmissions, they become the weakest link as something has to give if you're going to run very hard, get a lot of air,etc. The Hubers,etc are generally very reliable. As with anything, too much power at the wrong time can cause problems, but I certantly think the decision to run Speedmasters with tranny's is a no-brainer

The 3A's are longer and usually for Deep V's the 5's are shorter and were generally used on Cats. Definitely try to get the 3A's over the 3's. The 3A's will have a 26 spline prop shaft and the 3's only have a 19 spline prop shaft.

I have a friend running 1000HP's through 3A's with one drive being rebuilt after 3 years. I wouldn't suggest that kind of HP through them if you are going to run the piss out of them...but if operated correctly it will hold over the 750 rated HP without a lot of trouble.