Gearcases with nosecones have been around at least since the sixties, and aftermarket nosecones since the seventies. A number of people were involved in prototyping it, including Glenn Reynolds. The Sportmaster is a compromise between the needs of different high-performance boats, e.g. The current Mercury gearcase named Sportmaster came out in the mid/late nineties, replacing the CLE. The first Mercury gearcase named Sportmaster came out in 1960. I just love watching you OMC guys smoking dope and jerking each other off, so sorry if I spoil the fun: Hey Liquid, I was told that the sportmaster gearcase was really not Mercs design back in the day? Im not spreading rumors cause I was probably not even alive then.But is that true? Because it came from a very very reliable engineer that is with BRP now and was around when OMC had their racing division, he seemed pretty knowledgeable. Did you try these before going to the "Titus". OPTIONAL WATER PICKUP screens are also available for the L2 & M2 stock cases when running in severly aerated water. How is your temperature? Should be around 145 whilst planing 165 at idle. Ideal RPM should be around 5600rpm & would be the perfect WOT with all the combined benefits of motor longevity, lowest fuel & oil consumption, holeshot & acceleration. Less RPM than 5500 with a a higher pitch prop will increase speed BUT with an increase in fuel & oil consumption, & reduce holeshot & acceleration & motor longevity over the long term. What was the RPM & top speed with the same load & the Stock