What's everyones thoughts on a Bravo X surviving behind a Whippled 496 in a lightweight 28' boat? Quick on the sticks and don't jump on it out of the hole. Should be around 650-675 hp.
Just do it! I am still running an old style short case bravo behind 700hp and it made it this season. Your boat probably doesn't weigh a whole lot more than mine, and the X drive is supposed to be stronger. I would be more concerned with putting a blower on the cast bottom end in the 496 myself.
You should be ok with using good throttle control. Whats the worst that can happen, it blows up and you put an XR on afterwards.
Kevin ran his boat with the X drive for testing before the XR arrived and no issues. We had about 12 hours on it, check the gear oil and all was great.