Bravo alternatives?

larby · 22-08-2009, 04:25 PM

Hi all,

I'd love to supercharge the revenger at some point but i'm all too aware that I'll go through drives daily with heavy offshore use!

What are the alternatives to a bravo, either surface drive or submerged, which won't break the bank, if any?

Cheers, James

Captain Chaos · 22-08-2009, 04:34 PM

maybe just upgrade the bravo to an XR

mercury currently offer the 600sci motor (502) with an XR

larby · 22-08-2009, 05:02 PM

They're pretty fookin pricey though aren't they?

Matt · 22-08-2009, 06:01 PM

How much HP you shooting for? I plan on putting 600 through an X, and Magnus' arrow puts 900 through an XR.
It's not just the power, it's driving style & boat weight as well.

larby · 22-08-2009, 06:27 PM

Well i'm looking to build a 502 or a 496 with a blower, so i guess about 700hp, nothing crazy.

Use is gonna be pretty heavy though, it's usually rough around here and i drive hard, she'll spend as much time out of the water as in. I'm usually pretty quick with the throttle but not perfect. She'll be getting raced quite a bit too.

What about an old speedmaster? I know people don't tend to rebuild these any more, but i'd love to learn how and could then support myself. I've got an engineer who could make me any necessary tools?

The other option is, as i have two bravo drives at the mo, i could just keep one rebuilt. That's fine for racing, but i don't like breaking down, and it definately wouldn't be funny halfway between here and Jersey with the girlfriend in the boat!

James

Big Dutch · 22-08-2009, 09:22 PM

Larby do you ever feel that perhaps you are trying to run before you have learnt to walk ?
If I owned your project I would approach it with the emphasis on building in reliability first.
Theres an old saying that goes" to finish first,first you must finish"
I wouldnt think about a turbo just yet just get a reliable and fast motor
maybe that HO could be the way to go.

lain · 22-08-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dutch

Theres an old saying that goes" to finish first,first you must finish"

and don't I know it

Matt · 22-08-2009, 09:49 PM

Get a NRE billet intake.

Seriously though, bravo. Otherwise mebbe imco, konrad, b max, off the top of my head. I wouldn't go mk iii, iv etc and vi is too big.
Nxt is sweet, but $$$
arnesons don't give much bow lift, which a non stepped hull tends to want.

larby · 23-08-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dutch

Larby do you ever feel that perhaps you are trying to run before you have learnt to walk ?
If I owned your project I would approach it with the emphasis on building in reliability first.
Theres an old saying that goes" to finish first,first you must finish"
I wouldnt think about a turbo just yet just get a reliable and fast motor
maybe that HO could be the way to go.

I'm always trying to run before i can walk!!
Seriously though, i'm not planning to unbolt my bravo and throw it in the bin next week, I'm just chatting about the options available when i decide to go for proper power.
From a conversation on OSO it looks like i'm gonna keep the 502 in, which will probably come back next year with natural aspiration, unless a cheap blower crops up between now and then!
I just like to ponder during the winter (which i've already started) to keep me entertained, otherwise i risk taking up flower arranging to stay amused!

James

larby · 23-08-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Get a NRE billet intake.

Seriously though, bravo. Otherwise mebbe imco, konrad, b max, off the top of my head. I wouldn't go mk iii, iv etc and vi is too big.
Nxt is sweet, but $$$
arnesons don't give much bow lift, which a non stepped hull tends to want.

Cheers for all the advice Matt, think i will just stick with Bravo for now and see how long it takes me to destroy one

Another option i thought of was having the internals of one cryogenically treated for strength, it's said to work wonders with gearboxes!
Those NRE intakes are simply gorgeous! I've got one of those hi-perf GM jobbies on at the mo. I'm looking to make a functional 'ram' scoop for the carb to sit in next year, reversable though for those rough races! At the moment the engine bay is sealed other than the little scoops at the sides, but there's no way for the air to circulate. That should make a difference!

James

MikeOakley · 23-08-2009, 04:45 PM

And if you run into problems with the Bravo drive shield get a diesel one, it´s the same as the HP one with the oversize main shaft bearing as far as I´ve compared them side by side.

You don´t want the mess of relocating everything to get a SSM there and then after that you look into Daytona crashboxes...and there we go...

Marinautic · 23-08-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeOakley

And if you run into problems with the Bravo drive shield get a diesel one, it´s the same as the HP one with the oversize main shaft bearing as far as I´ve compared them side by side.

Are you referring to the gimbal bearing?

MikeOakley · 23-08-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marinautic

Are you referring to the gimbal bearing?

Yep.

Marinautic · 23-08-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeOakley

Yep.

I think you'll find all Alpha And Bravo transoms now use the same bearing, which is now a sealed for life type. It even comes with a little grub screw to replace the grease nipple on the transom plate.

larby · 23-08-2009, 06:18 PM

So basically there's not really an alternative to bravo without running into big cost/hassle, maybe even both!
It's the top half of the bravo that gives the issues eh, not the lower?

James

JOSH · 24-08-2009, 07:48 PM

Never used them befor but take a look.
http://www.bravoshop.net/index.php

Josh

glen76 · 05-12-2009, 07:09 PM

Are the HP ratings of bravos published relative to diesel and petrol?? I see there is a bravo 1 and 3 diesel, with a rating of 320hp( from memory) yet bravo 1 xr is rated to 600hp with no torque rating. Would that be suitable for a big diesel??