Bravo XZ Drive

[moneypit]

Who knows anything about these drives.. Mercury said it can handle up to 6oohp. Any experience or knowledge of this drive?
Thanks

[mike37]

well they don't make them any more to my knowledge
framer one had a XZ on his last boat from what I can tell it had better gears but the small prop shaft
it was more like the 1X drive better than just a 1 but not a XR

[Havasu Hangin']

An XR is just an XZ with straight-cut upper gears.

[Faster Daddy]

New Bravo 1x replaces the the old XZ. I will be running an XZ when we re-rig the boat with the new 496HO. It was built stronger than the bravo 1 and not as strong as the XR. While the XR might be a stronger drive for race conditions we are opting for the XZ as it has proven to be 1-2 mph quicker on the top end. For the most reliable drive with 600 hp, I would opt for the XR.

[mike37]

Mercury Bravo XZ
Designed for high-performance applications, the Mercruiser Bravo One XZ features
Dual water pickup gear case,
Billet aluminum bearing carrier
Heavy-duty propshaft and hub
Heavy-duty U-joint
Steel upper gear bearing chimney
Improved thrust bearings
Near-net gears
Thicker upper gear floor
1.50 or 1.36 ratio
Please note, the XZ drive has been discontinued
The new Mercruiser Bravo X is standard on all Mercury diesel engine packages. Ffeatures include a redesigned top cover and steel lower bearing tower, new near net forged upper gears with heavier floors, new stub shaft, heavier bearings, new clutch, heavier input yoke, heavier U joints, new retainer nut system and new vertical drive shaft.
It is rated for 525 Ft Lbs of torque.
This drive has the same upper components as a Bravo XZ except for a stock propeller shaft. As most Bravo failures occur in the upper this drive is a good value

[spectras only]

I have the bravo1X drives on my boat coupled to 6.2 MX engines. Boat ran with
twin 300HP diesels with same drives for a few years trouble free .

[Bre]

We have the XZ drive on our boat. We have 647hp. I has done just fine. We don't beat the shit out of it though. Guess it depends on how you drive ;)

[Indiansprings]

I am looking at a 30' boat with the XZ drive. It is running a HP500. Is this a safe drive? Is it going to be hard to get parts for if there is a failure? There is about 150 hours on it.

[mike37]

I am looking at a 30' boat with the XZ drive. It is running a HP500. Is this a safe drive? Is it going to be hard to get parts for if there is a failure? There is about 150 hours on it.
its a good drive you can install XR gears if need be framer1 ran one on his mach26 no problems at all

[checkrocket]

I have an HP500 mated to a XZ upper and sportmaster lower. The gears are straight cut versus helical cut. Supposed to be quicker out of the box then the xr. No problems with the 470HP at the shaft. In fact I have a friend who also has the xz with a procharged 540CID Motor with 750+ HP with over 300 hours on the drive. No problems. All depends on the driver

[Thunderbutt]

An XR is just an XZ with straight-cut upper gears.
Havasu, check your PM
Jim

[Flashwave]

I raced with an XZ for 2 years with an HP-500. It was a solid unit under race load. It is about 1 mph faster than the XR. Also ran an XR with a 525. The XR gears seem stronger than the other drive parts. We broke a shaft on this drive.
J