i have some hybrid questions

[mach1stang]

hey guys i have been looking at some of the hybrid quads on here and i love the concept of building what you want and i am only 15 so money is really tight right now but my questions are
1. where is a good place to get a nice and cheap chassis
2. what would be the best chassis and motor combo for 6 foot 200 pound youngin
3. what is the average cost for doing a hybrid build
thanks fir your help

[honda300EXtreme]

#1. the best place to find a cheap chassis is on ebay and you can actually find alot of good deals on here.


#2. thats really your choice, thats the hole point of a hybrid to build something that you want,

(i would like to see a ktm 525 engine in like a 250r frame)

#3. you can try to do 1 on a budget, but alot of times it can get Really expensive.


hope this kinda helps

[mach1stang]

yeah it does help a little but i just need to sit down and do some ebay work i dont know i was thinking a bigger chassis with a smaller motor so i dont out the motor and the chassis all at once ya know but i am thinking a 300ex frame and maybe a 250 dont know all the details yet but i am sure i will figure somthing out and on the budget it is tight but if you think i could get a new quad for cheaper i dont htink this is for then

[mojohoits]

when i built my hybrid i already had my aftermarket 250r front line frame. so all i had to do was get the engine and have the frame done. i went to prp racing to get it done and they did a fantastic job on it. the frame mods were 800. the new swing arm was i think around there too (cant use the 250r swing arm... bolt need to go threw the engine on a 450). that was the two major things. they could have put the whole quad togather for me but it would have been alot more $$$. i got a bare frame back and put everything together myself. it never threw one chain and i never had a problem with it. although now it is with a different owner.

[mach1stang]

cool i mean it seems like you can do one on a budget but they may need a bit more work but i can weld and stuff like that so alot of the work me and my dad can do by our selves i was looking on ebay last night abd they had a banshee rolling chassis with 2000 or 2001 suspension all around for 550$

[rider250ex]

you would probably be better off getting a rolling 400ex and going from there...but thats just my opinion

[mach1stang]

i was not planning on gettin the banshee chassis
also what is the keyword search you guys use on ebay to find your chassis all i could find was old old yamaha chassis and 660 raptor frames and thats about it

[Project300EX]

There really aren't many rolling chassis on Ebay. You'd probably have better luck just buying the frame and building it up from there.

[mach1stang]

yeah but there arnt that many frames on there either

[Project300EX]

Originally posted by mach1stang
yeah but there arnt that many frames on there either

There's plenty of frames. If you're wanting a 400ex search "400ex frame" or whatever kind you're looking for. It's all in how you search, but there should be plenty. You might want to check this out. It ends in two and a half hours.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/honda-250x-frame-or-300ex-rolling-chasis-wheels-brakes_W0QQitemZ250086847042QQihZ015QQcategoryZ439 72QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Edit: This will give you something to look at.

http://motors.search.ebay.com/?from=R40&satitle=400ex+frame

http://motors.search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=300ex+frame&sacat=6000%26catref%3DC6&fmmk=&fmmd=&fylo=&fyhi=&mppfqy=300ex+frame&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=42749&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search

http://motors.search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&mppfqy=300ex+frame&satitle=raptor+frame&sacat=6000%26catref%3DC6&fmmk=&fmmd=&fylo=&fyhi=&mppfqy=300ex+frame&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=42749&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search

http://motors.search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&mppfqy=300ex+frame&mppfqy=300ex+frame&mppfqy=raptor+frame&mppfqy=z400+frame&satitle=250r+frame&sacat=6000%26catref%3DC6&fmmk=&fmmd=&fylo=&fyhi=&mppfqy=450r+frame&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=42749&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search

[mach1stang]

o dang i must have not been looking right thanks for those links

[mach1stang]

hey guys would 300ex or a raptor 350 run good in a 400 ex frame

[Project300EX]

Originally posted by mach1stang
hey guys would 300ex or a raptor 350 run good in a 400 ex frame

They would run a little quicker than a stock 300 or 350. The 400ex frame is supposed to be a bit lighter than the 300. You might look into an XR500 or XR600 motor.

[mach1stang]

that would be bit much for me i want to build a good quad that i can grow with ya know

[honda300EXtreme]

or you could get a 300ex frame and put in a 350x motor or try and stuff a 400ex motor in it, or alot of people are putting 450R engines in 400ex frames

just a few ideas

[mach1stang]

i was thinking a 400ex frame with a 300ex motor or a 350 raptor and then if i get bored of them i can cut those mounts out and fit a bigger motor in it

[honda300EXtreme]

yea but that could also get expensive, id rather build 1 and be done with it. but it would be interesting to see a 300ex motor in a 400ex frame

[mach1stang]

yeah i think that is my plan and i no putting a diffrent motor in when it gets boring could get expensive but hey it beats buying a new quad evry time you out grow it

[honda300EXtreme]

yea thats true,

[mach1stang]

yeah and this one will most likelybe more stable than a 300ex because it is wider and longer so once ypu put a monster horsepower in it you lose stability ya know

[mach1stang]

hey guys sorry for all the questions but will i need any special parts cuz i want to get a few parts for the motor like a hfm exhaust system but with the chassis being longer than the 300ex i dont think it fit to the end of the chassis but i can build a bracket and theader and stuff like that i dont know if that will fit either but i have been looking for a 400ex chassis and missed out last night ebay had one minus the tail section for like 100+ bucks but i never got around to bid and it is gone now

[Project300EX]

Originally posted by mach1stang
hey guys sorry for all the questions but will i need any special parts cuz i want to get a few parts for the motor like a hfm exhaust system but with the chassis being longer than the 300ex i dont think it fit to the end of the chassis but i can build a bracket and theader and stuff like that i dont know if that will fit either but i have been looking for a 400ex chassis and missed out last night ebay had one minus the tail section for like 100+ bucks but i never got around to bid and it is gone now


Header will probably fit. I'd buy a cheap used pipe, since you may have to cut and weld it to fit.

[mach1stang]

ok cool

[250x_kyle]

well the best chassis to do it with is the 250r geometry frame. and the stock 250r frame has to low of frame rails therefore u will need an aftermarket frame 800-1500bux for a used one. the motor will be about any where from 800-1500. then u want an oversized radiator 300 bux. then u need aarms and shocks 500-800. the swingarm and axel and carrier 650 ish. nerf bars 200. spindles 75. stem 150-250. plasics 200ish. wheels and tires 500 cuz. break caliperws 200 bux. break lines 150. its gunna cost alot to build one right and if ur tight on money i wouldnt realy do it.

[mach1stang]

ya but yourtalking about balls to walls racer i am not i am going to use alot of the stock 450 parts and stuff i dont it to a race quad i want somthing that is fast and drivable

[mach1stang]

hey guys i have seen alot of guys putting 250r enginge in there quads do you think it would be a good combo with a 400ex frame and suspension

also i think i am going to talk to my dad to see if we can run by barneys so i can look at the sizes of the quads so i know what i am getting

[northwest Texas]

Fact is you're not going to build a hybrid on a budget. It also don't make sense to buy a 400EX and put a warrior engine in it.

For your size, you'll be money ahead just buying a complete 400EX. You'll feel cramped on anything smaller and the 400EX stock is very easy to learn on.

You can plan this all out in your head but I promise, it will cost, if you're lucky, only twice what you think. Probably more in the range of triple to quadruple and I'm not counting your time.

Ask anyone whom has built a hybrid I'm sure they'll tell you, starting from scratch the cost is high. Starting from scratch, I don't see how you can do it for less than $5k. You'll be better off just buying a complete and selling the parts you don't need to buy the parts you do.

[mojohoits]

i agree. i built a hybrid and it cost 2x what i thought and plus most hybrids are done by putting a more powerful motor than the one that was in it. if your talking about buying a 400ex and putting a 300ex in it being 6' and 200lbs. i think thats what you said. your the same hight and weight as me. you will get bored of a 300ex very fast. i would say get a 400ex and when you get bored of it.. put a crf 450 in it.

[mach1stang]

Originally posted by mojohoits
i agree. i built a hybrid and it cost 2x what i thought and plus most hybrids are done by putting a more powerful motor than the one that was in it. if your talking about buying a 400ex and putting a 300ex in it being 6' and 200lbs. i think thats what you said. your the same hight and weight as me. you will get bored of a 300ex very fast. i would say get a 400ex and when you get bored of it.. put a crf 450 in it.

your only cost 2000$ you cant hardly find a newer 400ex that is used for that

[mojohoits]

that was just for the frame and swing arm. i had to get a new rear shock also 900$ becasue i used the crf linkage. that wont happen every time you build a hybrid so i didnt mention it. with that and all the other little parts to make everthing work it was around 3500.

[mach1stang]

yeah but i would hate to sound mean and stuff but look at the project frankenstein hey is on a budget and i think you guys are thinking i am going to do alot of aftermarket parts most of this quad will be built with used parts

[northwest Texas]

I'm not trying to be mean here but if you're honest with yourself, you're just not going to build a hybrid on a budget especially if you don't have many if not most of the parts already. Judging by your responses I'm guessing you're hoping to do it for less than $2,000 (I can't see that happening) If you're hoping to fab a quad buying a piece at a time you're just wishful dreaming if you think it will cost less than buying a complete unit.

And if you think you can do it for (for arguments sake I'll use......) $1,500 then I can guarantee you it will cost twice that amount. Then you succeeded in spending $3,000 on a quad worth $2,000.

[mach1stang]

man a used 400ex is is 3500-4500 stock and new is 5000-5500 if not more and i really like doing things on my own so a hybrid is right up my alley it is just a matter of where you get your parts and stuff if you find a good deal on ebay then that is more you can spend on somthing else

[mojohoits]

you should go to an auction and see what you can find. you may be able to find a decent 400ex with a blown motor or perhaps no motor and go from there. most things there are really cheap. if you can get that and do all the work yourself like you say you can and your not using a whole bunch of new "racing" parts. you may be able to keep the $$ down. just go for it... at least you will have a quad you want.

[SWIGIN]

i agree

a 250x/300ex/350x combo can be built real cheap

[mach1stang]

yeah i am not looking for a race quad i want somthing that i am not going to out grow to fast so alot of the stock parts will work for me

[dietz]

haha your 6' and 200lbs how much more are u planing on growing. im 6'3" and 190lbs and bought a 400ex and got bored real fast, even after having a 440 national kit put in it i still got bored fast. i sold my motor and exhaust and got 1100 for them. that was for a full race motor and full hmf exhaust and i still got lucky to get that. i now bought a yz450 motor wich was 1x alone then there is the carb, electrical, radiator, and exhaust left, so figure 250 for the carb, 250 exhaust, 300 radiator and there im up to 1750 in just the motor and exhaust. now is the fabing wich me and my buddy did but now with welding on the frame need to put some color on it. i decided to paint it instead of pc because pc hides cracks and paint is cheaper. point being is any hybrid project will be expensive. even on here i have seen 400ex's go for around 1800 stock. if you are looking for somthing that goes fast and you wont get bored on real fast i strongly earg stearing away from a 300ex motor. i love the 250r and 400ex geometry even at my size. i say just buy a 400ex and once you get bored with it put a 440 kit or even a 416 or 426 kit in it. if still bored put a yz or crf motor in it. if you then decide to race your going to have to put a very larg chunk of money into it. mine is full race quad and i probly couldnt get out wat i put into it.

i just strongly earg thinking this threw before you do any thing and figure out how much money u have to spend. that will tell you more of wat to do. im sure many hybrid owners would agree with wat im saying.

[mach1stang]

yeah but also think about if you buy a quad used you need the money righ tthne where some of us may no the money that is a deal gone bad if you build a quad you can buy peices when the money comes in ya know

[the glassman]

why not just get a nearly complete 250r for around 1200 and finish it out .

[Reaster00]

I just bought a 2001 400ex frame today for $227 plus shipping. I am planning on putting in a CRF250 engine...if you look around and take some time finding the best deals you can do a hybrid on a budget. I wouldnt go with putting any quad engine in a 400ex smaller than the 400ex engine. You will get bored of the stock engine power. I am goin with the crf250 bike engine because ive talked to other people that have done it and they say its about the same as a worked over 400ex with a big bore. Plus i intend on putting work into the crf engine before it goes in anyway. I agree with its nice to do as you get the money to buy parts. I have a LT-R450 and a lonestar 250r and i liked the idea of building a hybrid so thats why im doin it...if its something you wanna do go for it. If you go with a stock 400ex chassis you could probly built a roller for 1200-1500 then youll have to get an engine. Either way post pics when its done and good luck.

[mach1stang]

yeah i know doing one on a budget is possible and i think there has been a change in plans for the engine i think i am going to find a 400ex and throw some better parts in it

[GearHeadz400ex]

plain and simple, if you put a 300cc motor in a 400ex, your gunna get bored... very fast.

[stocktires]

Honestly, on a budget, I wouldnt build a hybrid.
A nice R can't be beat for the price.

[mach1stang]

gearhead i am not sure on the motor yet i may be buying a 400 suzuki

and stocktires do me a favor and look at the project frankenstien in the 250 and 300