no wind

Hi guys. I'm new to the forum, and so a brief presentation. I live and boat in Italy, I'm 35 married + 2 kids. Most of italian coasts are beatiful with very different seasides. (Oh, really brief!)

Ok now I go to my tech request to you experts. I'm putting up together the pieces to have my new boat into the water within next may. Its a 27' day cruiser, built here in Italy.
I just bought two Volvo Penta 3.0GS/SX (Volvo SXCobra drive) to power the boat, preowned engines built in '96, one with 33 hours on the other one with 75 hours.

I'd be pleased if you could give me opinions on the Volvo SXCobra drive. Some people say its practically bulletproof, stronger and heavier compared to a Merc Bravo I. Some others told me to be careful as it still contains OMC Cobra technology that was not exactly excellent in terms of reliability. Your opinions are welcome.

Other request is on engine power: engine documents I have state power at 111 KW that should be around 150 hp while volvo original .pdf's fix power at 99 KW that should be around 135 (exactly as Mercruiser 3.0). Why do I have this difference?

Thanks in advance.

Take care.

No Wind
Adriatic Sea - Southern Italy

Dave M

Welcome to the board. I think the Volvo drive you are speaking of would be more comparable to a Merc. Alpha. I have heard mostly good things about Volvo products. I think around 95 or so is when OMC stopped making Cobras. I believe OMC's sterndrive sector merged with Volvo. I had a 1992 Cobra drive. I know there was a lot of negative opinions about Cobras but mine was pretty reliable. I put over 600 Hours on mine with few problems.

Biggus

The Volvo drives will be pretty much bulletproof with the 3.0 power. They are quite rugged.

The only thing I don`t like about the newer Volvo's is the way the u-joint bellows is attached. They seem to leak because the bellows is not clamped to the drive bellhousing and the u-joints are then exposed to water. Volvo recommends replacing the bellows and u-joints every 2 years.

HOUSTONPROP

no wind welcome to the site ,I have heard the volvo sx outdrive is basically the same as the omc king cobra drive,I think it is a good outdrive from what my customers have to say but if it were my choice I would go with a bravo-one or alpha,with the power that you have your will be fine although you have alot of boat to push through the water.

when your ready, I can hook you up on some new stainless props for about 299.00 Brand new for your boat they list at 499.00 let me know when your ready ,I am sure there are many other questions that you have before you get to that point,and there are many knowlegable people on the site to answer your drive ,motor,and even prop questions.again WELCOME TO OSO.

Darin

happy hours

I had a alpha one behind a 3.0 and had some issues ( Iw ake board alot with the boat and am very hard on drives about 300hrs per year in and oput of gear lots etc.). Now I have aVolvo Penta SX behind a SBC and have had no isues. In my opition the SX is comparable to the bravo and WAY better than the alpha. Much heiver duty with size, bearings etc than the alpha. Parts are more of a pain in the butt to get and cost more but that is only down side. I think behind a 3.0 the SX will live forever. I had not heard about the bellows maintance other than every 5 years or so , but it is a good idea anyhow..bellows can really ruin your day if they fail.

fund razor

Wish I had Volvo SX drives.

JIMG

The Volvo SX drive is mostly like an upgraded version of the older style volvo drive. It is also camparible to the bravo drive. The gears inside are from sweden. The part of it that is like a cobra is the external styling. The only issue I have really seen with the SX drive is the propshaft seal, which is now updated & supposed to be better. The upper unit is the same as what they use against a
8.1 HO engine.

Dave M

:d