Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

fastman14609

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Apr 13, 2005
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Anyone on this site running a big block alpha drive combo setup? If so i would like to hear what your setup is, and how it performs? Thanks
 

Bondo

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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

Originally posted by fastman14609:<br /> Anyone on this site running a big block alpha drive combo setup? If so i would like to hear what your setup is, and how it performs? Thanks
As In 0 to 60mph Times,??<br />Or, WOT Top-End,??<br /><br /><br />Or,........ How Long Have You Managed to Keep 1 Together Before It Blows Up,????????????? ;)
 

DHPMARINE

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Dec 16, 2003
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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

I don't see any input yet,so I'll give mine.The Alpha may take the HP,but not reliably.That's why they have the Bravo's.I don't think Mercruiser wants to put more than 260 or so HP thru an Alpha.<br /><br />DHP
 

Don S

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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

Merc only did that in 86 thru 88. Took them that long to figure out the Alpha didn't have the "Right Stuff" to handle a big block. Also in 88 they came up with the Bravo drive, wonder why?
 

rabidfish

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Oct 3, 2000
Messages
788
Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

Ditto...<br />Although... you can get the alpha gen 2 with the 350 Mag MPI (300hp) But that's a newer drive unit than your late 80s drive.
 

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

Fastman, My neighbor has twin 454/Alpha I Gen II drives on his 35' Scarab Supersport. I know he has spun a prop or two, but I have not heard of any cronic "too much power" issues. BTW, his motors have at least 330HP each.
 

Limited-Time

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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

fastman,<br />Merc rates the Alpha to 300 HP, Over that its the Bravo. Gotta be a reason.
 

TilliamWe

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Dec 21, 2004
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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

It's not peak HP that kills the alpha, it low end torque, hard launches & harder re-entries!<br />My father had a 1989 Searay 268 (aft cabin cruiser, and a very heavy one at that) that he bought used in about 1999. It had a 454 magnum w/Alpha 1. He owned that boat 2 years and put a couple hundred hours on it, and never broke the Alpha. When he sold it, though, he was pretty sure it was gonna go soon. But proof that if used gently & carefully they will not exploded instantly.<br />All that said, I'd never put Alphas behind a 454, 502 or a 496. Cause I wouldn't be able to be that careful!
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

It's not peak HP that kills the alpha, it low end torque, hard launches & harder re-entries!<br />
Ditto.<br /><br />The Alpha CAN survive if you are not HAM handed and the boat is not super heavy.
 

fastman14609

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Apr 13, 2005
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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

My boat is 21ft length, weight is 3400 lbs, deepv,thru-hull exhaust,427ci chevy big block, mild cam about the only mod.Think she can survive a summer?
 

TilliamWe

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Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

Yes, if you don't punch it from a standstill and let up before you re-enter the water when wave jumping.
 

wvit100

Chief Petty Officer
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May 6, 2002
Messages
416
Re: Anyone running big block alpha drive combo?

Friend of mine has a 454 in a 23' Wellcraft with the alpha drive. It exploded a couple of years ago and has sit in the garage since. When it went it broke the verticle shaft and threw a piece of the shaft completely through the side of the outdrive. He said it sounded like someone hit the back of his boat with a sledgehammer.
 
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