Alpha SS

[cvx]

I need some real life info on how much hp an alpha ss will take,mercury says 300 and others say 550.I have 2 complete units that are going to be rebuilt and was curious if there is HD gear sets available yet for these or is it not neccesary.The engine is a 406 sbc dynoed at 426@5200rpm,boat weight is 2150,18' V hull.The new gear sets from merc. supercede to a gen 2 gear set for the lower unit.The prop I plan on starting with is a 14.25x25 turbo.What makes the Alpha ss stronger than the alpha 1 if they use the same internals,My alpha 1 twisted the prop shaft and took out lower unit gears,which I expected.I may be selling one of the Alpha SS units if everything else works out.Thanks for any help.

[BigGrizzly]

That sounds like the Python Viper that we built the engine for the Hot Boat artical. As for Hp it will take 550 is a dream unless you are extreamilly easy on it, and I don't care who's friend hasn't broken one with 600 hp.

[Pismo]

Had a 400ish hp, 400sbc in a 2500lb 19' century thru a pre alpha R drive and an old clever stainless prop. It did fine. Lots of high speed running, towing, etc, marina service boat, no problems, only ran it for a few years tho before sold w/o engine.

[Sam]

On my 16 I'm running about 375hp through mine @ 5000 to 5150 rpm. Doug Lovins runs one on his 18 as well. He's putting out 425 hp + through his but at around 5600 to 5800 rpm. We both run four blade Hydromotive props.

Put a drive shower on them and change the gear lube every 25 hours or sooner if run hard. We run the Merc High Performance Lube......hope this helps. Oh one more thing, watch yourself when you get around weeds. Being that they have low water pickups they are very prone to sucking weeds. If that happens you will over heat very quickly :eek!:. The good thing is you can pick or flush them out via the side access plates.