how reliable is the 440

[sam the brave]

i am looking into one of these and can find them for about 300 on ebay. i am wondering how reliable are they can the keepup with the 450s ?

[TC426EX]

For 300 Im assuming its the IMS/Wiseco big bore kit right? That kit is 11:1 compression I believe. Keep in mind that its gonna be around 80 bucks or so to get the sleeve installed for the 440 so add that to the price right off the bat unless you can find a better deal. I see you are running a stage one hotcam. What type of riding do you do? Most people run a stage 2 with the 440. As far as keeping up with new 450's, it will help, but the piston size isnt what adds the most grunt to an engine. Really, the only way to keep up with the 450s at race speeds is to have a full engine kit in your 400. Porting, Carb, aggressive cam, high comp. piston, etc. The 440 kit will help alot though. If you dont mind running race gas and changing your cam, I would add a high compression (12 or 13:1) 426 kit so you can just spend 55 bucks or so and get the stock sleeve bored out so that will save you some money. Then I would go to the stage 2 cam and a full exhaust. That will send you on your way to competing with the new bikes. Depends on how serious and what type of riding you do. If you just ride for fun in woods and the occasional track then the 11:1 compression would probably be fine for you. You can make your bike as competitive with the new stuff as you want, but its really a question of how much you want to spend.... Engine builders have probably made more money off the 400ex engine than any other. Most people with topped out EX race engines have spent over 2 grand in engine work alone getting them there...

[sam the brave]

the kits comes with a new cam
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43977&item=4544659804&rd=1

[TC426EX]

Looks like a good deal, and at 11:1 it should be reliable...