Bullet Drive Outboards

**carlcisneros** · 03-01-2013, 01:47 AM

I have a bullet drive unit on my JAE ob rigger and the cable is nice and free inside the unit.

be careful on the amount of grease you use and the type. dont use the heavy high temp wheel bearing
grease as it is too thick. you can use the Mercury OB grease.

also, check the screw in prop shaft assembly that it is nice and free to turn. also do not
over tighten it as that can cause binding as well.

**viper1** · 03-01-2013, 03:25 AM

Allen;
Which Bullet drive did you buy? curious because I'm a OB beginner too, I just received a O.S. lower and that's running very light, at least when you turn it by hand.
I was a bit disappointed when I disassembled it though, as everywhere it is advertised as a 3/16" shaft, correct for the stub axle, but the flex is only 3.6 mm (0.142")
And as far as I can see can only be upgraded to .150 max using the same axle. Wondering if that is enough for 6s electric ?? anyone ??
I also have a Hyper Performance bullet on the way, and will decide which one I use when it arrives.
Not sure what flex a HP uses, I think a 5/32" standard, which would be heavier than the above. It also looks more scale, if that is important (it is for me a bit...)
Downside of the HP for me is that the stuffing tube seems to be casted in, and non-accessible for service.

The OS in turn is also a lot longer (distance transom> prop) I understand that that could be a good thing, but the difference is so much, it looks a bit silly.
Aghh, decisions, decisions!

**F1 boats** · 03-01-2013, 06:43 AM

I had a 3.5 Hyper Performance bullet run this on 4S and all i did was break cables ,then moved to the 7.5 for the bigger cable which solved the problem of the cables breaking but i found that the stuffing tube seems to be off centre so cable would bind up.What ever you choose enjoy,i ditched the leg and converted to inboard

**viper1** · 03-01-2013, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by F1 boats

I had a 3.5 Hyper Performance bullet run this on 4S and all i did was break cables ,then moved to the 7.5 for the bigger cable which solved the problem of the cables breaking but i found that the stuffing tube seems to be off centre so cable would bind up.What ever you choose enjoy,i ditched the leg and converted to inboard

I never heard of a Hyper Performance 7.5 bullet ?? sure it was not a K&B ?

**HTVboats** · 03-01-2013, 03:43 PM

I have run about every outboard lower unit made from K&B,Lawless,AMPS,Hyperformance, and OS lowers. I have also run many combinations of FE outboards from spec-P-Q and even S. If your going to use motors up to 40X74 or less an OS is your best choice. I have run a 1520 Castle on an OS and it lived but I suspect we might be changing shafts a bit more. Above a 40X74 the lawless or K&B .45 size lowers are my choice. If I still had a bullet lower I would cut the front of the bullet off and shape it like a K&B or OS. James Clegg ran one on his Q tunnel at the WTC last year and I suspect it won't be on there this year. It was spooky handling. Compare the OS and Hyperformance bullet. OS for $160 comes complete with the best mounting system and a prop shaft that will outlast K&B or Hyperformance 3-1. Thats a real plus as your prop spins true for a long time. After a days use a K&B is worn out of round. The Hyper is not far behind though better than a K&B, no where near the quality of an OS shaft. That shaft spinning true is why a .142 cable holds up. Also saves replacing 2 or 3 prop shafts that wear out. I have OS prop shafts that are 2-3 years old.
On larger P&Q hulls I have found the .45 size lower a handling advantage. Just costs more replacing prop shafts more often. .187 cables seem almost bullet proof. Kris Flynn makes some HD shafts for OB use.
On a side note if your shaft seems stiff or bind it might just be a coarser wire. I chuck new flex shafts in a drill and wet sand them 220 down to 600 grit then blow them out with brakeclean. Smooths out rough edges, sort of pre wearing them rather than your teflon or metal liner doing the same thing over time.
Mic

**D. Newland** · 03-01-2013, 04:27 PM

I had alot of success with the Hyperformance bullet drive. Never had any issues with it, but I do use the OS drive now. I didn't like the (lack of) lifting characteristics of the bullet drive, and I had to put a more-forward cavatation plate on it because spray would kick up with the original.

The boat handled fine, but it just bugged me how much negative angle I had to put in it. I did use one of those adjustable jackplates with it, too, which got the prop further back than stock.

**F1 boats** · 03-01-2013, 06:01 PM

Viper1
Here is a link for the Hyperformance Bullet Drive 7.5

Outboard Motors

http://hyperprod.bizhosting.com/outboard_motors.html

Same as the 3.5 in looks but much bigger in size

**viper1** · 03-01-2013, 07:04 PM

@ Mic,

That is one of the most informative outboard comparison I've read so far,thank you so much for the info !
Your comments about the prop shaft quality makes a lot of sense to me. Looks like very good quality steel.
Do you still use the Teflon liner in the OS or brass tubing?
Still I would like the flex shaft a bit longer on the OS so I can put 1) an extra bearing on top, 2)easier to convert to electric if it has a round end on the flex shaft top (regarding couplers) and 3) easier to make your own flex replacements.

@ Peter (F1 boats)

Thanks for the link, I learn something every day

Now is this 7.5 physically bigger in size or is only the (flex)shaft of a heavier caliber?
I find in general the outboard units badly documented when it comes to dimensions.
I found this site very helpful, but unfortunately not complete.

**F1 boats** · 03-01-2013, 08:48 PM

Viper1
The 7.5 is about 1.5 times bigger than the 3.5 i don't think the site lists the sizes, i found the same as D Newland you have to use a lot of negative angle.

**HTVboats** · 03-02-2013, 10:29 AM

Viper1,
I convert most of my lowers to brass liners. Mainly because when a shaft breaks it sometimes balls up the teflon liner and you have to take the whole lower apart to replace it, which in the middle of a race you may not have time for. Brass or teflon just a good debate as to which is better? As for using a conventional collet your over engineering. The simple motor mount Hyperformance makes comes with a square drive adapter allowing standard cables which lubricated properly and timely last a long time. What size motor and # of cells are you going to use?
Mic

**viper1** · 03-02-2013, 10:54 AM

Thanks Mic

No teflon in my cat either. I reckon it runs with less friction as well so I'll go with the same in my outboard.
I hear you about the coupler, I realized in the mean time that the adapter that will come with the HPi also fits the OS shaft.
Before I thought I had to machine another one, and the square would be hard to make. (I don't have a conversion for the OS, only the one that comes with the HPi)
I still have to make a motor adapter for the OS, but that's no problem.
Planning to use this motor , it was formerly in my Genesis, it's a little beast. 3659/1900 Kv
Will run on 6s.

**HTVboats** · 03-02-2013, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by viper1

Thanks Mic

No teflon in my cat either. I reckon it runs with less friction as well so I'll go with the same in my outboard.
I hear you about the coupler, I realized in the mean time that the adapter that will come with the HPi also fits the OS shaft.
Before I thought I had to machine another one, and the square would be hard to make. (I don't have a conversion for the OS, only the one that comes with the HPi)
I still have to make a motor adapter for the OS, but that's no problem.
Planning to use this motor , it was formerly in my Genesis, it's a little beast. 3659/1900 Kv
Will run on 6s.

The OS will do just fine with that motor. Being your loaded RPM will wind up around 36000 the OS prop shaft is the best one. Any out of round would just rob power.
Mic

**viper1** · 03-03-2013, 03:05 AM

Mic,
Is there a guideline for the relationship between hull length and distance transom > prop ?
O.S. seems so long compared to my hull length, Its a (reinforced) HK hornet hull.
Maybe it's just in my head

**HTVboats** · 03-03-2013, 12:07 PM

Viper1,
First off don't overthink the relationship of the distance, not going to be a factor. I have a HK Hornet for my grandson and we use a .21 outboard lower on it. Without going further I need you to remember the line from the movie "Jaws". "WERE GOING TO NEED A BIGGER BOAT".
The good news is the hardware you have will all work with a hull change. The 27" Hornet works best on 2-3s with motors under 36X60. Even with that motor on 3S the boat is upside down more than it's right side up. I keep that motor on 2S for my grandson and it still is a handful. Your 36X74 on 6S will go like a rocket but you will spend more time retrieving it than running it. With a good 29-31" .21 sized tunnel your hardware wil run 50-55mph. Not what you want to hear just what you need to hear. If you are not familiar with Kris Flynn your Ausi mate make a point to contact him. He will know wher you can get a hull in OZ. The Vision boat he runs with your motor would be awsome. Many other hulls will too. The little Hornet is cool but above 35mph it needs an air traffic controller.
Mic

Bullet Drive Outboards

Bullet Drive Outboards

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