what is the difference beteew these drives and how much power will a ssm3a with 1.5 gears handle? thx for any info. ratman

The III-A Super Speed Master (SSM) drive is a veteran of Mercury Racing drive stable. An updated version of the Mercury Racing III SSM drive, the III-A SSM drive features larger vertical bearings in the upper housing. The larger bearings provide increased rigidity for the driven gear, resulting in increased bearing capacity and longer life. Larger driveshaft splines provide greater strength, while larger pinion bearings hold lower bevel gears more rigidly, resulting in increased bearing life. A larger propeller shaft increases drive strength and is rear loading for improved shaft contact with the propeller. An extended “nose” on the gearcase improves water flow and boat handling.

Features & Benefits


Large driveshaft splines provide greater torsional strength.

Large vertical bearing in the upper housing provide increased rigidity for the driven gear and longer life.

Large pinion bearings hold lower level gears more rigidly resulting in increased bearing life.

Large propeller shaft is rear loading for improved shaft contact with the propeller.

Input ratings are 750 HP and up to 750 foot pounds of torque.

Extended nose on the gearcase improves water flow and boat handling.

Drive-line and plug-in models available.

Transmission required.

Counter rotation models available for multiple engine applications.

Gear ratios: (RH or LH) 1:1, 1.18:1, 1.33:1, 1.48:1 or 1.62:1.

The SSM3A has a 26 spline propshaft and the SSM3 has a 19 spline propshaft. As for HP it totally depends on the weight of the boat and how much you keep the drive in the water. I have a friend with a 38 Cig TG running 1000 HP's through SSM3A's and he has only had 1 drive failure in 4 years. Some people would go through 2 every year. It's all in the throttleman.

what he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ lol

..... nice clearcut, thx!

Hey ratman, good news is ... I inquired about this exact subject and heard that #3a's will bolt right up to the #3 housings ... hope that's true!?

How are the engines coming along??

They will fit the same gimble housing. You can also put #3a prop shafts in a #3. It can help with prop selection as there are not of high pitched 19 spline props.

Cool thx racr .. sounds like the #3s can be made or swapped out to be almost bullet proof under 1000HP ... kinda like a TRS / Konrad swap conversion (although obviously the Konrads will be even newer and more readily avail). These 'older' hulls are looking more and more attractive with the deals and potential for them offered out there

njgr8ful, will have longblocks together next week hope to dyno before first of the year. will post pics and dyno figs when there completed. ratman

clearcut3, i have a receipt for rebuilds on the drives. they were done at speedmasters in so fla. the paprework states that these are 1.5 ratio. you didin't have this ratio listed with the others/ did they make a 1.5? thx, ratman

they are ssm#3a's ...

The 1.48 was a gear ratio offered...they are probably rounding up to 1.5.

When in doubt with a SSM3A I would call Doller offshore marine in Ft. Lauderdale Fl. Doller is the ultimate place for SSM drive info and if they can't answer your question...mercury may not be able to either. Good luck!

Hoping to see a pair of counter rotating SSM3A's under the Christmas tree. Thank God my girlfriend goes to the gym. Bless her love of Powerboating and me.