Powerplant Options and Opinions

[Greg Guimond]

If repowering a 22 and wanting to use a Bravo 3 as speed is not the top priority are there also better choices with Volvo drives? What would the best combo be in your opinions ?

[Carl C]

Speed was a priority for me but reliability was the number 1 priority. I figured that my boat needed a high tech motor from an established and respected engine builder. Thus my choice of the HP525 EFI and Bravo XR upper/Imco shorty lower and Zeiger steering.

[Greg Guimond]

Thanks Carl, nice piece! My goal would be better hole shot and mid-range plus some of the mid-range efficiency that the B III would provide. I am not up to speed on all the options but I thought I have heard that Volvo has a bullet proof dual prop option as well so figured I would ask those who know and maybe someone has used them on the board.

[MOP]

For overall longevity there is no way in heck that black will hold up as well as a Volvo, I defy anyone to produce just one black drive that has been run for 30 some odd years. I know I have said this a few times before! One of my best buddies is a Merc dealer, he says being a Merc dealer is like have an annuity. His shop is about 100 feet from where mine was, he had half as many boats at his place but had three times as many drives on his drive rack. We were OMC & Volvo, even the old crappy electric shift did not break as fast as his stuff.
If Volvo had joined up with OMC a few years soon Merc would be out in left field, the technology and metallurgy that Volvo brought on board was and still is far superior to the Merc. Look how Merc jumped on the Volvo cone shift when the patent ram out! Very rarely do you hear anyone up here crab about breaking their Volvo, but we sure have had a bunch of broken black! The only reason I have black on the back is I wanted to try the Blackhawk on mine, I have Bravo "diesel" drive behind a small block for peace of mind.
Sorry for the rant but this is my honest opinion having been in the field a lot of years!

[BUIZILLA]

I would like to see a BIII XR shorty, with the latest hi-po Merc props done right..

[realbold]

I would like to see a BIII XR shorty, with the latest hi-po Merc props done right..
Ditto...

I'd bet you can get a BIII setup a lot cheaper than a Volvo Duo Prop.
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/1649415094.html

[tmh]

What would be the ideal Volvo drive for an 18 or 22 and what are the pros and cons?

[Tony]

I absolutely love the Volvo DPX on my 22' Classic. An E4 propset (the highest pitch of the three choices; E2, E3, & E4) and the stock 385 propshaft hp puts me at 70 mph in almost all conditions.

Good out of the hole, strong mid-range pull, and true "ride-on-rail" handling thanks to internal hydraulic steering. Zero porpoising, and zero prop torque...quite different than my '67 Ski Sporter! Plus, with the unit designed to handle up to 600 hp, I am counting on a long and productive life for this outdrive.

The above was copied from another thread.
Here are a few discussions;

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=51936&highlight=dpx

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55202&highlight=dpx

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=477&highlight=dpx

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Tony%20Sporer/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/Boating/volvo%20dpx.jpg

:beer:

[Greg Guimond]

I am comfortable loosing top end, so please keep the thoughts coming and if anyone has run across used turn key packages that would be a help as well. Thanks for all the notes :boggled:

[mattyboy]

Ilmor 550 indy drive

[mrfixxall]

Ilmor 550 indy drive


the volvo 600 dpx will spank it :) just mabe

[Pismo]

the volvo 600 dpx will spank it :) just mabe


This would be perfect is you want to spend that kind of $$.

[Pismo]

I absolutely love the Volvo DPX on my 22' Classic. An E4 propset (the highest pitch of the three choices; E2, E3, & E4) and the stock 385 propshaft hp puts me at 70 mph in almost all conditions.
Good out of the hole, strong mid-range pull, and true "ride-on-rail" handling thanks to internal hydraulic steering. Zero porpoising, and zero prop torque...quite different than my '67 Ski Sporter! Plus, with the unit designed to handle up to 600 hp, I am counting on a long and productive life for this outdrive.
The above was copied from another thread.
Here are a few discussions;
http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=51936&highlight=dpx
http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55202&highlight=dpx
http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=477&highlight=dpx
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Tony%20Sporer/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/Boating/volvo%20dpx.jpg
:beer:
If you really want to go dual prop go DPX, I agree. They have better reliability than the Bravo 3. I have a Bravo 3 on a cruiser and I don't think much of it. lots of noise, vibration since new. Never had any problems but I think the DPX is better.
Downside is Volvos are very expensive to fix if it does break and props are very expensive.

[BUIZILLA]

I have a Bravo 3 on a cruiser and I don't think much of it. lots of noise, vibration since new. Frank, the props have to be clocked EXACTLY to the spline correct, not one spline off... then it's smoooooooooth as silk.... trust me on this...

[mattyboy]

is the dpx still available??? thought it was discontinued? not sure the volvo would be more expensive, the ilmor is not cheap

[Greg Guimond]

Just to clarify, the objective is NOT to spend as much money as humanly possible :eek:

Thanks for the comments

[Ghost]

is the dpx still available??? thought it was discontinued? not sure the volvo would be more expensive, the ilmor is not cheap

http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/vp_outdrives.htm

[Pismo]

Only $17,000 for a new DPX....

[Tony]

Short description of the Volvo DPX 500 and 600:

http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2001/05/power-move/

:beer:

[yeller]

If you can find one, I think Tony has the best setup. I'd love to get hold of a DPX.
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.but not at $17k :eek:

[DC18]

If repowering a 22 and wanting to use a Bravo 3 as speed is not the top priority are there also better choices with Volvo drives? What would the best combo be in your opinions ?

What about KONRAD? They have a dual prop and other options. From what I have heard they are also better than the merc stuff. :yes:

http://konradmarine.com/

[yeller]

What about KONRAD? They have a dual prop and other options. From what I have heard they are also better than the merc stuff. :yes:

http://konradmarine.com/
Retail $15k and needs a transmission.

[Tony]

mr.fixxall found this on oso:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifieds/volvo_dpx_drives-o33543-en.html

:beer:

[Planetwarmer]

mr.fixxall found this on oso:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifieds/volvo_dpx_drives-o33543-en.html

:beer:
There you go.:yes:

[MOP]

Mr. Fix found a goody! http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifieds/volvo_dpx_drives-o33543-en.html