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Alpha drive with 430hp

dreamer

dreamer

Member
Hey guys looking to buy a boat. Engine is 60hours but has alpha drive. owner has just rebuilt the drive can this drive handle the motor.
454 built to 430hp on 87 enforcer
 
Hey guys looking to buy a boat. Engine is 60hours but has alpha drive. owner has just rebuilt the drive can this drive handle the motor.
454 built to 430hp on 87 enforcer
 
That drive will not last long. Its life will depend on how you drive and what your intensions are. If you take it slow on hole shots,absolutely no water skiing, easy when in the air and re-entering the water, change the gear oil every 20 hours, get a drive shower and dont run full throttle often, it may last the season. Most likely a freshen up would be needed every winter.
 
430HP + alpha drive = BOOM
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Check with "THE BRAVO SHOP" to see if they have any forged gear, shaft and bearing upgrades to increase your reliability. It's cheaper than recutting your transom and buying a bravo drive.
 
ALPHA = Seriously WEAK LINK... even with a STOCK 454
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Merc only did that 454/Alpha combo in '86-7 as they phased out the big TRS and introduced the Bravo drive. The small light-duty alpha's just "fall apart" with any kind of torque loads...

You are looking at BIG MONEY to convert to even a USED BRAVO...
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Thanks for the input. The current owner says he only blew it once and that was when it came out of the water and he didn't pull back fast enough.

Is there an upgrade kit option for this drive?????? Love the boat want to buy it but hate the drive.
 
I had an 87 Enforcer with a 330hp/454 Alpha short shaft.That drive used to get hot so I put a shower on it,and thats only with 330hp.They are a great looking boat,I love em'...but with 430 hp you'ed have to be very gentle with it...AND DON"T RUN A FOUR BLADE...That'll snap something for sure...
 
Thanks Erik, what does a drive shower go for? easy to install?? Yeah again I love the boat in great shape but the motor drive combo really makes me nervous, I really wish the Hp was down in the 300,s. I have thought of buying the boat then pulling the motor to sell or downgrade
 
I ran a alfa for 3 years with 400 small block full roller moter dyno at 450hp had drive shower on it never had any break downs no hole shots ran trim tabs down every time i took off tryed to run drive shaft stright all the time to save on u joints boat was a 1987 Bow-Winds Ultra 1 23FT ran 70+mph it was a great boat
 
The current owner stands by the fact that he has had no problems as long as he gets off it when he has to. The whole drive was gone through a year ago.

How does the drive shower help, won't it get ripped apart regardless if it is going to happen?
 
Drive shower will help keep the upper gear set cooler and help reduce fluid break-down.

Chances are, his "rebuilt" drive was due to failure once already...

Alpha is not THE PLAN FOR any Big Block...
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A drive shower will run you about $100 from Imco. If you are thinking of taking this boat and downgrading the power , I would think that since you are willing to invest some $$ after the initial investment, it would be more prudent to keep the motor and upgrade the gimbal and drive. After all, who wants to go slower????
 
What are the costs to upgrade the gimbal and drive??

Will the drive actually make a difference, certainly not on hole shots.
 
You could get a used set up on ebay...I bought a used Bravo one outdrive for $1000.I've seen most drives go between $1500-1800.00.I've seen complete gimbal set ups on there too for I think about the same money.The drive may actually slow the boat a little...but its much more durable & makes resale easier too.
 
Keep in mind, even if the motor makes 430 HP, it is only making that at WOT. Drive it gentle and it should last. At least it supposedly has in mine (granted my boat is light) but at one time it made 424 FWHP and 445FWTQ and according to the second owner who had it for 10 years before I bought it the drive was only messed up once, and that was due to him running into something. So far I have only had it one summer, but i have pulled several water toys, I have run a REV 4 22" prop and have numerous WOT passes with many miles logged at over 70 MPH and so far so good. Allthough I would like to have it gone through since the thrust on the prop shaft is quite loose.
 
call palmer power here in houston

they have done bthe conversion fron alpha to bravo

713 644-6410
hugh claire and pam work the parts end and they have there own shop

they should be able to line you out on what parts would be needed

tell them daren from lenire said to call.
 
Thanks Guys this boat is so nice to pass up. It is in Mint shape, inside and out. I just don't want to spend $2000 as soon as i buy it.
 
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