DP lower unit

[hbski]

OK, heard a suggestion to change to DP lower unit for better performance.

Volvo site says that the DP gives something like 30% more acceleration, 11% more fuel efficiency at cruise and 5% more top end, to the best of my recolection. Does this sound right?

Also, I understand that the DP provides much better slow speed manuverability. Is this like a night and day difference or just a small difference?

Finally, would a lower DPS unit bolt right up to an SX upper?

Boat is a 2007 Regal 2000 with 5.0GXi\SX

Thanks,
DJ

 

[Don S]

Re: DP lower unit

Yes,,,,, Yes,,,,,,, and Yes.

 

[hbski]

Re: DP lower unit

So Don S are you employed by VolvoPenta in the DP division maybe????....LOL

Thanks for the response!


So cost? near as I can tell:

Lower DP unit ~$2700 used, props ~$700 used, my time to install: priceless!

sound about right?


Anyone able to tell me what minimum year DP I'd need? Also, are there any special tools required? Alignment is between the upper and the engine only correct? Would anything else need to be changed?

thanks,
DJ

 

[Don S]

Re: DP lower unit

So Don S are you employed by VolvoPenta in the DP division maybe????....LOL

No, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn!

Actually I've been a Volvo tech for many years, have owned em, fixed em, run em and got to compare them from single prop to duo prop. Just no comparison.

Any year DP drive will work. Note: any year will work as long as it's for that style drive. You aren't going to make a DP-S, or a DPX or DPG lower work. It must be for the ones styled like yours.

No special tools required except a depth micrometer and shims for the upper bearing in the lower. DO NOT use the race from the single prop bearing.

 

[hbski]

Re: DP lower unit

Hey thanks Don!

Isn't DPS the DP equivilent of SX? frome volvo's site they visually have the same uppers.

 

[hbski]

Re: DP lower unit

As a matter of fact in these pics even the lower cases look the same. is it possible to just swap out the internals in the SX?

 

[Don S]

Re: DP lower unit

Isn't DPS the DP equivilent of SX? frome volvo's site they visually have the same uppers.

Yes.
But, the one you pictured is the SX-A and DPS-A are even different from the SX and DP-S drives from a couple of years ago.
But yes, the uppers are the same, just the lowers change.
You do need to get the proper gear ratio, or you won't get the expected results.

 

[Don S]

Re: DP lower unit

As a matter of fact in these pics even the lower cases look the same. is it possible to just swap out the internals in the SX?

Housing are COMPLETELY different

Here is what you want to do.
http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/cobraconversion.htm

 

[hbski]

Re: DP lower unit

Yes.
But, the one you pictured is the SX-A and DPS-A are even different from the SX and DP-S drives from a couple of years ago.
But yes, the uppers are the same, just the lowers change.
You do need to get the proper gear ratio, or you won't get the expected results.

Yup, that's mine SX-A 1.6 ratio.

Would I want a different ratio in DP? A 1.6 isn't listed on that conversion site.

 

[hbski]

Re: DP lower unit

OK, from VolvoPenta's docs on my engine/outdrive combo they list three ratios for each drive SX and DPS. So, assuming the drive ratio's correspond to one another dirctly, mine is the middle @ 1.6 for the SX which would need to be the middle for DPS @ 1.95 correct?

 

[Don S]

Re: DP lower unit

Hmmmmm, somehow I was thinking you had a 280 outdrive. Must have been a different thread.
Haven't had any personal experience with the A series drives, but from the looks of the service manual, the same applies. Just changing the lower "SHOULD" work. Yes, a 1.95 ratio is what you want with a 5.0L engine.