Simrek Drive Shower: Quick Install and Demo Footage

A quick look at the easy installation of a Simrek drive cooler and some footage of it cooling an outdrive.
LET'S CONNECT!
God's Country's Accounts:
- gplus.to/GodsCountry
- / godscountrychannel
- / in_gods_country

[@bobwelch6473]

I'm a certified Mercruiser master tech with 32 years experience . I've experimented with various types of these drive showers in various conditions and different types of boats ..In my opinion they do nothing to make much of a difference in cooling the drive .Run a good quality oil and keep it clean and you won't have any problems...Dont waste your money !!!

[@GodsCountry]

I can understand your response but the Bravo 3s are known to run hotter than the 1s. And even IF they only help a small amount, it's only $210. Compared to the total cost of a boat running a Bravo, the cost of the drive shower is tiny and it may help.

[@TheCommo81]

A little Lucas oil stabilizer never hurt anything. I use it in every engine now since it saved our subaru outback 10 yrs ago. It was down 3 qts of oil my wife said low oil light never came on. it held 4.25 Qts. Since then, I put lucas in everything and you can use 25-50% in sterndrives. That would keep heat down drastically.

[@francobartolotta1252]

Hi Bob , my 496 mercruiser overheating problem, I just by pass the drive and install a 1 1/4 thru hull strainer and seacock problem resolved!!! Now my question is I taped the 1 “ hose coming from the transom. Should I install something to cool the drive since there is no water circulating?

[@TEC_Stuff]

Great video! Multiple angle camera shots show a definite improvement with water being effectively sprayed on the drive unit. Thanks for sharing, and happy boating.

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@peaceharmonybaby4410]

Hot Boats magazine did a temperature test using the Simrek with a v bottom and a tunnel hull. Outdrive temps were reduced 45 and 50 degrees. That’s very well worth it. Don’t fall for the top cap coolers, Simrek cools entire drive

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks for the data! Do you know what year/issue of the magazine that test was in?

[@CaptainKenny696]

This is a very well made video. Thanks for your hard work.

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks Kenneth! I appreciate that!

[@moneyhauler1]

I clicked on this thinking it was totally a shower for a person on the boat... Lol. 😆

[@GodsCountry]

Hahahaha!

[@dancaptain2055]

Hey GodsCountry mine came yesterday, I am going up to my Baja right now to put it on. Thanks again for your video. I am really appreciative of you taking time of showing install and it working on your boat. Thanks buddy

[@GodsCountry]

I'm so glad it helped!!! Enjoy the rest of the boating season!!!

[@dancaptain2055]

@@GodsCountry last comment gods country, I put it on my stern drive and I really like the way it looks on there, I wish I could see it operate but I know it’s working. Enjoy the rest of your boating season as well. I am hoping to boat into middle of October before my boat goes into her winter nap stored inside for the winter. At minimum I hope to boat the rest of this month

[@GodsCountry]

Gotta squeeze as much water time out of these days as we can!

[@carboatsguy5846]

Great video! If you run your boats fast, this will really help keep them from overheating. I found out the hard way and cracked the upper gears. If your top cap looks a bit white chalky, not the deep black like the rest of it, it probably is overhearing now.

[@GodsCountry]

Very true. Thanks for your comment.

[@ronaldmeyn2618]

Sick video NICE job . IN downturn covid i have been helping friend with mechanical boat fixes ... however I dont know about basic bout mechanics without great videos like yours. Thanks . he has rinker 340 fiesta vee . past owner DID ok maintenance but upgrades are recommended for resell .

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@dancaptain2055]

Thanks a lot man, I just bought one after seeing your video. Waiting to get it

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks for the comment! I can't see how it would hurt to possibly extend the life of the drive.

[@morley3810]

I love simple things that work well.

[@GodsCountry]

Me too! Reliability is so important.

[@woody6856]

Going to install mine today

[@simrek1]

The pick-up ports make all the difference. Two verses one, in many cases. These are aimed for maximum efficiency, plus the soft bends allow for less restriction to water flow. They don't require you to drill any holes in your drive, so they won't void your warranty, plus they can easy be transfer to your next boat.

[@GodsCountry]

Yes, I still think the Simrek is a good brand for the reasons you listed.

[@JBAutomotive794]

Nice boat brother 🍻

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks JB!

[@Autobotsunited]

Just installed one of these on my Bravo 1.

[@GodsCountry]

I still like mine.

[@propdoctor21564]

Cool video !! You are pretty quick with that ratchet :-) Looks like the cooler works good...

[@GodsCountry]

propdoctor21564 Haha! Thanks! Yeah, I try to keep the boring ratchet time to a minimum!

[@Qbhoy79]

Any solution to the drive shower also showering the back seats and passengers at certain rpm (my cruising rpm) ? Thanks

[@GodsCountry]

Hey Q, I have never heard of that problem. Mine is under the swim platform so I've never even thought of that. Sorry.

[@scyzor123]

Hi, my outdrive is Alpha one but i dont have any nuts on the sides. The only thing that is holding the rod are seeger rings or c clips whatever its called. Any idea if it is gonna stick in place on those rings only?

[@GodsCountry]

I think you need a drive shower that is specifically designed for a Alpha drive. I don't really understand how or what you have installed but it doesn't sound secure.

[@ZoneTelevision]

Question: do they make racing props for these dual prop outdrives ? Thanks,

[@GodsCountry]

I don't think they do for the Merc Bravo 3 or Volvo Duoprops. They do make sets of different pitchs but in general, these dual prop gearcases aren't used in high-performance applications.

[@garydoyle3768]

Would a synthetic lubricant in the lower unit be better than this? Just asking? Royal Purple, Triax, Mobile One? Have a great weekend!

[@GodsCountry]

I'm not an expert but I am a fan of synthetics. I don't know that a synthetic would lower drive temperature as much as a drive cooler will.

[@Nikelona1]

Well I never imagined that the outdrive could overheat, whilst the lower part is submerged, the lubricating oil should do the work circulating from the bottom drive to the top part if everything is in working condition...?

[@GodsCountry]

This is apparently a common problem on drive in normal working condition. I don't know how much the oil circulates or how much it cools the drive.

[@MrTS-rn7pt]

My oil got was totally black end of last season on both drives. I just installed this yesterday, and everyone is telling me it will help greatly especially with my big boat. Thankful for this video.

[@JoeNicks389]

Just found this video, nice job. Does the tube ever get clogged up? I boat in water that is not that clean and wonder if I would need to clean the tube. I have 3ft swim platform and couldn't see how if this is working. Thanks JN

[@GodsCountry]

Hey Joe! I have not noticed mine getting clogged up but our lake is pretty clean. That may not help you much but it's the best I can do unfortunately.

[@davidhall1779]

If your boat lives in salt or brackish water you will get the same marine growth in and on this shower/cooler as you get everywhere else on your drive, prop, transom assembly, trim tabs, mine does and every three or four years I have to remove it brush it clean then soak it in vinegar and clean all the water passages, put it back on and good to go.

[@heath3067]

Curious why you chose this shower model over the Hardin or Eddie Marine style that mounts over the bearing cap? I'm on the fence. I have been unable to locate a video of the other 2 on KZbin in action. I like both designs, and obviously the Shower is half the cost. Thanks for sharing.

[@GodsCountry]

Heath Bates Hi HB! Honestly I think the bearing cap style looks better but I bought the Simrek for a few different reasons. Unfortunately my boat has to sit in the water right now so marine growth will be easier to clean off of a stainless tube rather than a braided hose. Most of the things I read indicated that the Simrek cooled the best. Supposedly Formula uses them from the factory on their bigger boats and I know that Formula tends to use quality products. After all of that, the thing that sealed the deal for me was not having to drill the cavitation plate for a water intake mount. I hope that helps some.

[@heath3067]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I had read somewhere that the bearing cap cooled better by a few degrees. I can also see both perspectives, 1 is an easier install with no modifications. My boat is trailered, so it would not be left in the water, and I believe the bearing cap, not only has a concentration of water but also drains down the sides. I like the look of both, but only want to buy 1 unit. So, I'll continue my research and look at feedback. I appreciate your reply and a very useful video. Thanks again.

[@GodsCountry]

Heath Bates No problem Heath!

[@portedadrien9293]

Nice ! Were did your bought this thing?

[@GodsCountry]

I bought it directly from Simrek. I think their web address is driveshowers*com.

[@barrywilliams606]

are you still selling parts for gopro builds

[@GodsCountry]

Barry Williams Hey Barry! Yes, I'm still selling lots of gopro build parts. www.buygoproparts.com/

[@normancomeauxjr4565]

Nice!

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks!!!

[@videocruzer]

your video had zero data on before and after temps and or temperature sensors mounted to show where the drive if any temps were lowered.

[@GodsCountry]

That's true. I never promised data. I don't have the ability to take the temperature of the drive parts or drive lube.

[@thestigmach1984]

I've never noticed that my out drive gets hot enough to warrant needing this. maybe that's not a problem on the previous alphas or I've just never noticed.

[@GodsCountry]

+the stig mach 1 It also depends on the boat and how hard you run it. The Bravo 3s, like on my boat, are known to run the hottest.

[@AB-80X]

If you don't overpower your Alpha it's not needed. A good way to tell if your drive gets too hot, is if it has white deposits on it. If your engine is under 300 hp and your boat is less than 5000 lbs. no worries. The Alpha is actually a surprisingly sturdy and reliable drive. It has a limit that comes in quite sharply, but under that, they are super reliable. Spend your money elsewhere. Get your prop labbed for better performance.

[@thestigmach1984]

ABOlsen69X well my boat is around 6000lbs and it now has around 300hp maybe a bit more. I had to be special and put a 400sbc in it so torque is more likely to kill it than hp since that's up in high 300ftlb if I remember right. I haven't run this one much since the swap though been having electrical gremlins but I'll have to keep an eye on it once I start running full bore.

[@AB-80X]

Well if your boat is over 6000 lbs and your engine pushes 500 lbs. then you don't need a drive shower. Then you need to sell your Alpha and find a nicely priced Bravo take-off. Easy swap. Two more holes in the transom and a water pump on the engine.

[@thestigmach1984]

ABOlsen69X engine pushes high 300ft lbs not 500.

[@dretheboss_]

do you think she does the job just recently had to purchase a brand new upper unit on my bravo three ?

[@GodsCountry]

It's tough to tell because I don't know that there are any scientific back to back studies that have tested multiple drive showers. I do feel like this is the best for covering the upper and lower part of the drive.

[@dretheboss_]

thank you so much for the reply I am going to purchase one we both no how pricy replacing an bravo three outdrive can me

[@goutvols103]

Great video. It would have been helpful to have some temperature data before and after to see the benefits.

[@GodsCountry]

Thanks! Yes I wish that I could have gotten some temperature data but I don't have that capability.

[@AB-80X]

Only problem with the Simrek is that it does not cool the most important thing - the top bearing. Best setup is a billet cap with built in cooling. Keep a lot of flex out of the vertical driveshaft, and that's whats' kills BIII's.

[@9pacokitty]

Good video, informative. Your wife’s gonna be pissed when she catches you wearing her shoes though

[@GodsCountry]

Hahahahaha! You don't like Chacos?!? Hahahah! I love them for the lake. Thanks for watching!

[@wildkatsailing]

did you happen to use temp sensors to see if it actually did any good?

[@GodsCountry]

I wish I could have but I don't have that equipment.

[@D_and_L]

@@GodsCountry I wonder if a hand held lazer temp sensor would work? They are pretty inexpensive.

[@shawnp8429]

I am sorry but what exactly is this for?

[@GodsCountry]

The Bravo 3 outdrives run hot and a drive shower cools them down, hopefully to improve reliability.

[@shawnp8429]

@@GodsCountry thank you

[@shawnp8429]

@@GodsCountry I think i will invest

[@islanduni]

I don’t think this would be good in thick surface kelp.

[@GodsCountry]

I can't say anything about that because we don't have kelp on our lake. I would think that any drive cooler could get clogged in those conditions.

[@deksea]

Islanduni Academic. Running an outdrive in crap like that will quickly clog the cooling intakes and your engine will overheat well before the drive ever starts to have cooling issues.

[@TheCommo81]

I'm not seeing a real benefit to this. If anything it's creating drag. The lower unit is in the water which is where 80% of the drive's oil is so it's in constant contact with the water as you go. I'm breaking in a new alpha one Gen 1 which would produce a lot of heat yet after running the drive for an hour non-stop and getting the boat out the stern drive is not really that warm, maybe slightly warmer than the water which is around 70 deg. but it wasn't warm to the touch. Drive shower looks like a waste of money. Even last year with heavy boating I've never had my drive even get luke-warm.

[@eagle5720]

I feel like that only going to create drag n slowdown your boat i don't believe the drive ever get that hot it always in the water...

[@GodsCountry]

It's only the pickups that are in the water when you are in motion so drag would be minimal. The lower wouldn't get hot because it is in the water but the upper can get hot because it is out of the water when you are moving.

[@F222RST]

Mercury developed the drive spent millions doing it and didn’t need no bit of flimsy metal pipe shower lol

[@robertm2172]

Kinda defeats the purpose of a real head shower

[@garyp53161]

Snake oil

[@GodsCountry]

Personally I believe it works. There are accounts on the web of people getting scaly mineral buildup on their drives (from water splashing on top and then cooking off leaving the minerals). After the cooler install they don't have that problem anymore. Formula boats installs this Simrek cooler on their heavy boats from the factory. Even if the results were questionable, it's a small investment.

[@dancaptain2055]

@@GodsCountryI agree thanks again for the video, those little tubes in the water aren’t going slow or drag down big powerful boat where you would notice anyway. Thank you. I bought one excited to get it. Baja owner