Ok here is the deal I ran my boat with a procharged 502 for the last few years. It is a 3600lb 25' v bottom and I had no drive issue. I built a new motor with more hp and it will never hold up. I have the chance to but a xr new, delivered for 5400 or an xz new for 3100 delivered. Both great prices and both with a 90 day parts war. I know they don’t even make the xz anymore due to the fact that is only handles 50hp less then the xr, or so I am told. I really hate to spend the 5400. Anyone have experience with the xz. They came with the 525 for a while and held up well. No you don’t want to know how much hp I have now because you will tell me nothing but a #6 will hold up advise?

I replaced my bravo with a XZ last fall. I run a hp500efi in a 288 Sunsation, so I know I'm good for drive strength. I believe the only diff between the XR and XZ is the upper gears!

Xz have the heli cut style, same ass the reg bravo, only bigger. and the XR's have streight cut upper gears. I believe the bottoms are the same.

I'm sure there is more to it, but if thats the main diff, I can't see the extra money for the XR.

I'm sure there is an expert out there that will chime in here?

I personally know several people running XZ drives with 800+HP blower motors behind high "X" dimension twin cats with no problems. No messing around either, they run them hard. I went with XZ's myself with Billet caps and Teague prop shafts.

Run by a marina and look at broken drives the XR is by far the best one one repair will eat up the difference light boats are a lot easer on drives. Take a look and judge for your self IMCO makes a good blower drive Good Luck.