I recently stripped a gear on the inner prop on my DP-SM 1.78. While the outer gear still spins and seems solid, the inner gear has a lot of movement and grinds. In researching what my options are, I've seen threads that say that I can swap any ratio lower with my 1.78 upper; i.e., add a 1.95 lower, or 2.10 lower, or 2.32 lower. However, when discussing this with a reseller of uppers and lowers, they tell me that 1) the 5.0 Volvo wasn't made for a 1.78, should have a minimum of a 1.95, and 2) I can put a 1.95 lower on the 1.78 upper, but not a 2.32. Why this matters is that I'm in high altitude Denver and need more gusto to push the equipment around. What I've been told is that it will cost more and only react like the 1.95. While I'm new to the lower swap biz, that doesn't make sense to me. Can someone add any color as to why this would be? Is my only alternative to swap upper and lower to get to the 2.32?
