alpha power limit

[daved]

Can anyone give a bit of advise on the amount of h.p an Alpha can take? I am thinking about a 425 h.p carb motor. I amd a very gentle driver off the line but I do like running flat out every now and then.. I have an 86' 22C
Thanks,
Dave

[Carl C]

My experience is limited here but I don't think it will last long.

[JamesT]

Can anyone give a bit of advise on the amount of h.p an Alpha can take? I am thinking about a 425 h.p carb motor. I amd a very gentle driver off the line but I do like running flat out every now and then.. I have an 86' 22C
Thanks,
Dave

I was told by Mercury that the HP rating for the alpha one's is 305hp i have a bone stock 22zx with a 350 mercury mag rated at 300hp and i have broke a few of them.But i don't baby it.I don't think it will last very long at all with 425hp in front of it.

[Rodger]

My SB 406 in a 16' popped a couple of Alphas. Never dynoed the engine but I'm guessing about 400H.P. I never did hard accelerations, just W.O throttle occasionally.

[mrfixxall]

Merc use to put a big block in front of them,i have a friend that has a 1987 baja 235 dvx with a Big Block and a alpha,it lasted for years but the drive had 1.36 gears in it..TMDOG is running a 383 with close to 500 hp through his SS drive,,as long as your easy on it and use redline shock proof gear oil it should last..

[Traveler]

Supercharged 383, over 500 ib-ft of torque from 2500 to 5800 on the dyno, classic 18. Have run it over 4 years with no breakage but some wear at the pins. Don't hammer it out of the hole or when it's out of the water. Frequent spells at WOT. Saying this is probably the kiss of death!

[Planetwarmer]

I have an all original 1987 454/Alpha 1 combo. 200+ hours, no problems yet. I replaced the gimble bearing for fun, and the u-joints were in great shape.

[osur866]

Supercharged 383, over 500 ib-ft of torque from 2500 to 5800 on the dyno, classic 18. Have run it over 4 years with no breakage but some wear at the pins. Don't hammer it out of the hole or when it's out of the water. Frequent spells at WOT. Saying this is probably the kiss of death!

What speeds you seeing with that set-up? You running 3 or 4 bladded props on the Alpha?

[daved]

Thanks for all of the info. I need to think about it before I place the order but I am leaning in the direction of making the switch.
Thanks,
Dave

[Fishermanjm]

make the switch dave or start buying spare alpha drives now

[Pismo]

3 blade props, lower pitch, higher end of rpm range, will help. Take it easy. Small block 425hp is easier on drive than big block 425hp.

[smidgen too]

Just my 2 cents,, Back in 1989 to 1991 my friend raced this APBA A class Magnum copy [@ 5500 lbs] with twin 450hp 350 chevys & Alpha drives. This boat won 28 races, one over all National high point winner,, and one National championship with only breaking one Alpha drive vertical shaft. And anyone who knew Ken,, knew he didnt do much mantinace other than oil changes on his drives. I believe back then Merc also put the 454 330hp & the 350 320hp EFI with the Alpa drive.

[MOP]

I also have a 22C it was originally a Tempest 300 w/Alpha some say 300 at the prop don't know for sure, it now has a 383 with a Bravo a mistake I have regretted ever since. For what it cost me to convert from the Alpha to the Bravo I could have easily replaced the Alpha four times with brand new SEI drives which carry a 3 year warranty!, not only that the bravo will cost you 3 MPH having a bigger case profile. Most people ruin their Alphas by hammering them out of the hole and soft shifting them. They like to be slammed into gear, soft shifting rounds the clutch dogs causing them to pop out of gear at speed!

[OFFSHORE GINGER]

Hey guys i have been trying to post this from the start with bad luck which never seems to come up ,and this site is ................ http://www.rlcboats.com/ .....or www.rlcboats.com that advertise a 650 hp Alpha drive rebuild . Hey guy's i am only posting this for $hit's and giggles and welcome your replies .

[MOP]

Hey guys i have been trying to post this from the start with bad luck which never seems to come up ,and this site is ................ http://www.rlcboats.com/ .....or www.rlcboats.com that advertise a 650 hp Alpha drive rebuild . Hey guy's i am only posting this for $hit's and giggles and welcome your replies .

The whole spiel is here some us have followed this guy off and on for a couple of years.

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=64346