alpha question

[craigdskilling]

I read all about alpha ss.What is the difference from the alpha.And can it bolt on to the alpha housing.Why i want too know is my 18 is getting new 400hp with cmi headers alpha 1:5 ratio 23pitch mirage.Should i be looking into this

[realbold]

They haven't made them for years and they are scarce. Will bolt on a alpha gen 1 not gen 2. They are shorter by a coule inches.

[gcarter]

For what you pay for one, you might be able to buy a Bravo and shorty for $2K more......used of course, but then, the SS would be too.

You can get parts for the Bravo and shorty.

[MOP]

The flip of the coin! The SS with the HD gear set if not beat on will last a long time, another plus as stated by Ted (Mr. X) the Alpha is 2mph faster then a bravo. If I knew what I know now my 22 would have still had an Alpha hanging off the back, there were quite a few 22 with 454's and some SB's with decent power running Alphas. No you probably will not blow a Bravo but for the cost differential come out better in the long run, I may have been running the after market Alpha by now or not. Even if I did blow (2) and replaced them I would have been way ahead dollar wise and 2mph faster not that I care, "Caveat Emptor" very easy to dump a lot of bucks to go no place!

[Rootsy]

I read all about alpha ss.What is the difference from the alpha.And can it bolt on to the alpha housing.Why i want too know is my 18 is getting new 400hp with cmi headers alpha 1:5 ratio 23pitch mirage.Should i be looking into this

SS hasn't been made since about 1990. Take more or less the same internal components as a regular alpha. The parts that are dedicated to the SS are becoming very rare and very expensive. The housings themselves are unique castings. Each being shorter and longer than std. alpha housings. Measuring my GEN II to the SS I had I got 3 inches shorter... Others say 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 FWIW.

The SS will bolt directly to a GEN I transom assy. Takes a bit of work but they will bolt to a GEN II...

SS is about an 8 mph bolt on with the correct prop for a 16 or 18.

[VetteLT193]

For what you pay for one, you might be able to buy a Bravo and shorty for $2K more......used of course, but then, the SS would be too.

You can get parts for the Bravo and shorty.

If you shop hard enough for a Bravo you can net a better deal on the Bravo Shorty vs. the Alpha SS.

I recently bought a pair of Bravo drives in excellent condition for $500 each. I found another pair with transom assemblies for $1200. I almost bought them just to resell them. There are so many Bravo's out there deals can be had if you look hard enough.

[craigdskilling]

thanks for the info.I priced a bravo here in ontario and it was about $8000. The drive didn't cost that much but housing was pretty $$$.Or the hole package.So if i can be carefull with my alpha I should be ok.What is the hp that alpha's can handle.I have A drive shower on mine.If I dont hammer out off the hole I should be ok I hope.:crossfing:

[MOP]

There are quite a few Alphas running big power, you have the right idea, shower and don't hammer it it will be fine and darn cheap to replace if and when it pukes!

[jg480]

You can get about eight new SEI replacement Alpha's for the price you were quoted for the Bravo set up. I have a used Alpha in my garage thats in great shape with about 250hrs that isn't worth selling, the damn things. are a dime a dozen.
Jim

[realbold]

8K is a bit hard to swallow. I'm doing the Bravo swap for about $3,000 including the water pump and drive oil reservoir.

[MOP]

The SEI carry a 3 years warranty!!!!!!!!!!! So you can blow a couple with complete confidence!!!

[realbold]

2 reasons why I'm switching to Bravo.
Close to 400hp pushing a fairly heavy boat (4000 lbs empty).
I hate the grind, clunk, and neutral cutoff between shifts.

[realbold]

Transom came in last week. Thanks to Bill (Conquistador del mar) for the tip.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/realbold/Transom002.jpg?t=1260914476

Still waiting on the drive, but its paid for.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/realbold/Bravo.jpg?t=1260914927

[gcarter]

8K is a bit hard to swallow. I'm doing the Bravo swap for about $3,000 including the water pump and drive oil reservoir.

This is the sort of deal I was talking about.
They are available.
Add a used shorty for $2K maybe and you're in the ball park I was reffering to.

[craigdskilling]

What do you mean by clank and bangs.Is that from the hp or from a heavy cam.I now that i have mild cam.I can't wait for my new motor.I hope I don't have these problems that you guys are describing.I have always had stock so this 383 with some mods should be interisting.I hope that i can be in the high 70 close to 85:angel:

[jg480]

I have a 400hp 350 in my 18c and my Alpha SS don't clank and bang when I shift in and out of gear! If your idle and shift interupt is set right yours shouldn't either. 18's are not all that heavy, so if your not beating the snot out of the drive you should be ok. Everything breaks eventually even Bravo's. My buddy had Alpha's with HD gears on a 28' cigarette with hot 350's with no problem.
IMO keep your money in your pocket and fix it when it breaks.
Jim.

[realbold]

What do you mean by clank and bangs.Is that from the hp or from a heavy cam.I now that i have mild cam.I can't wait for my new motor.I hope I don't have these problems that you guys are describing.I have always had stock so this 383 with some mods should be interisting.I hope that i can be in the high 70 close to 85:angel:
Not clank and bangs. Grind and clunk, the way Alpha shifts in gear.
You'll need more than a 23" prop to acheive those speeds.
Alpha might hold up for a while.

[MOP]

At least 50% of the people with Alphas do not shift them properly, most ease them into gear that is wrong and destructive to the gears. All not just Merc clutch dog drives should shifted into gear quickly, one quick click/clunk. Shifting them in slowly rounds off the front edges of the gears which are cut to engage easily, once rounded they do not shift well. For better life just snap them into gear!

[gcarter]

Phil, since you're counting, what comes after 69?:wink:

[BUIZILLA]

Phil, since you're counting, what comes after 69?:wink: a lot of moaning...

[gcarter]

a lot of moaning...

:wink::yes::yes::kingme:

[MOP]

Are you kidding some days are like a symphony!

[craigdskilling]

I love this site.The knowledge that everybody has in every area is incredible.:popcorn:JIM what kind of numbers is your 18 doing, and what size of prop, seeing that we are talking numbers and don't be shy:).And does it look like I'm on the right track.

[jg480]

I don't have it dialed in yet. I run it once this November with a 25" tempest plus. We hit 70 on the GPS speedo with 3 200lb guys and a full tank of gas. There is still plenty more in her, we were only spinning about 4700 rpms. When I dyno'd the motor peak HP was at 5200 rpm. I'll dial it in this spring. I think it should be good for about 75 with the right wheel. Which is plenty fast for an 18 footer.
Where you located ? I do alot of boating around Sarnia Ont.
Jim

[craigdskilling]

I live in kitchener and most of my boating is in the muskoa's.Are boats are like the porsches on the water up there allot of fun.there are tones of donzi's with all the movie stars and hockey players up there.Your 18c is the same red and white.Mine is a1985c.What is yours.

[craigdskilling]

I live in kitchener and most of my boating is in the muskoa's.Are boats are like the porsches on the water up there allot of fun.there are tones of donzi's with all the movie stars and hockey players up there.Your 18c is the same red and white.Mine is a1985c.What is yours.

[jg480]

Mine's an 87. I've got a couple friends in kitchener, we usually visit them for Ocktoberfest.
Jim

[craigdskilling]

So,Jim it look's like I might need A new prop.Should I be looking into 25p or bigger.I have a mirage23p should that do for now.:party:Octoberfest good times that I can remember.:germany:

[jg480]

I'm no expert on this but I would first try the 23". Your new motor will probably want to spin faster than the stock one to make peak HP. So that being said the 23" might get you close. If nothing else it will give you a good baseline.
Jim