Advice Cam and Jetting

[PLF]

Hi guys, I baught a used hotcam stage 2 for pretty cheap and was wondering if I should install it or resell it and buy a stage 1 instead. And also with my mods what kind of jetting should I use, I ordered a 152 a 155 and a 158 tonight. Here is my quad details

2000 400ex stock engine
except:

-K&N filter w/outerwear
-NO Lid only outerwear cover
-Sparks 6deg timing key
-Grinded header welds
-No choke (42 Pilot)
-No Spark arrestor (only cap)


And before you ask we can't have pipes around here in the trails..


Thanks a lot guys !

[honda400ex2003]

this should get you started with a recommendation and methods to tune every part of the system.

steve

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=445695&highlight=jetting+placement

[honda400ex2003]

Also is just a lid/filter isnt in the rec chart, i would recommend going with the 158 and go to 2.5 turns out on the f/a and you should be good. the needle shouldnt have to get moved either. then do a plug chop on top end to see how it does. It may be a bit rich with the 158 and will most likely need the 155, although it is better to be a bit rich to test it first and go down.


what elevation are you at also? this will possibly change my rec if you are not around 1000-1500 ft riding in normal conditions.

steve

[PLF]

Elevation varies from 250ft to 1000ft mostly.

I am not too worried about jetting I did a lot of research and will be doing plug pulls to fine tune, I was mostly looking for a starting point. Oh and don't ask why but when I removed the choke I put the needle on 4th while I was there but the bike pulls real good on 1/8th to 3/4 right now but falls flat on its face when you give it full throttle.

Any advice on the cam, I read that stage 2 will remove most of the torque from the bottom end and make it act like a 2 stroke. This is my main worry since the 400 is fun too ride on low rpm in trails I don't want to ruin this...

[honda400ex2003]

158 should be fine to start then and you probably wont have to do anything with it.

That needle is quite rich if it is on the 4th notch. this should be better with a bigger main, it could be a bit too lean on top causing it to run poor.

I prefer the stage 1 on stock internal engines since the stage 2 is a bit aggressive for stock compression.

it lowers the dynamic compression too much to make any benefits.


the stage 1 though will be a great improvement and will keep nice low end while helping out mid and top a bit esp with the 6 degree key.

That was one of my favorite setups with my 10:1 compression 416.

Steve

[06typeS]

good stuff steve


Steve = jetting guru :D

[honda400ex2003]

nah just give suggestions based on what i have used in the past. I have done just about every setup on a 400 up to a 416 in the past 7 years. lol steve

[CJM]

I think you would be much happier with a stage 1 cam. The stage 2 is really for a modified engine with more compression or a larger bore.

You can always try it and see how you like it tho.

[PLF]

Thanks a lot guys, I arleady put the Stage 2 for sale. lol

[honda400ex2003]

nice! you will like the stage 1. :D steve

[PLF]

I'm also looking for 450r shocks at the moment but I don't want to put too much on the quad right now and was wondering what mod is more worth it for the moment

450r shocks or stage 1 cam

I rode 2 weeks ago and with 4snow tires in the winter trails the front pushed a lot in the corners and I tried my friends KTM and omg was it somthing tottally different, you really had controll in the corners.

I know the 400 is not very strong compared to is ktm but I felt like really wasting power just trying to make my 400 swing to be able to turn a corner, I felt like driving a banshee haha !!

[honda400ex2003]

ooohh tough call there...

i think im gonna go 450r shocks. they will be much better and enable to you ride much smoother.

tire selection in the snow is important. something with a center ridge like a razr or something will be much better steering in the snow compared to a stock 400ex tire. i guess it depends on what snow tires you have on your 400 comared to the ktm. front end geometry also plays a part in handling in the snow also, although, i have never really had too much trouble steering mine in the snow.

steve

[PLF]

We have almost both same setup

rear= near new 4snow

front = Front Max ktm-100% new 400ex-65%


Of course ktm has larger and more stable a-arms and all but I really felt like the smoothness in is shocks changed a lot of things..

Thanks for the call, I'm also leaning towards shocks because of the huge benefits to the bikes handling and control. Also my timing key isn't installed yet and I'm waiting for my jets, once all these installed I should see some power increase...

[PLF]

Talking to a guy right now about 450r shocks for 200 or below wich is ok since they are 2009 but only one thing worries me.. They have been revalved by Elka ?! Guy has no idea for what weight.

What do you guys think ?

[2001400exrida]

find out what weight, if it's yours, get em!

[PLF]

Originally posted by 2001400exrida
find out what weight, if it's yours, get em!


They are for 160lbs and I weight around 185...

is it still good ?

[honda400ex2003]

my vote goes to yes. if they were setup for your weight exactly they would be quite stiff just like the regular 450 shocks are on the 400. if it was me, id be on them for 200 bucks. I spent almost that much on my stock set. lol they may take a bit of tuning when you get them but they will be nice shocks. I would say if anything you can tighten them up a bit more without any issue.

just my .02,
steve

[PLF]

Hey guys, I went for a ride tonight with a 160 (I have not received my 152-155-158 yet) in it and a brand new plug and WOW ! What a difference ! Now it pulls on top end instead of falling flat.. And the timing key isn't installed yet..

The difference is eye opening ! Much smoother through all the power band, even needle seems to wok better now. I will probably leave it like this since I will be installing timing key in the next days and we ride at -10/-15 degrees celcius and the air is pretty dense so big jet works ok.

After timing key I will try to do plug pull to see If I need to drop to 158 and put needle back to 3rd clip instead on 4th. Friend says exhaust sound changed since rejetting.

Thanks again for all the advices guys !

[honda400ex2003]

sounds cool! Keep the 160 in it till summer when it warms up to 60-70 degrees or more. then you can put the 155 in it and be all set to go.

glad to hear it is performing better for you.

steve

[PLF]

Just baught a 450r Carb from a member here !!

I'm thinking of trying a 170 and maybe a 50 pilot to start off.. what you guys think ?

Since it is extremely strict around here for pipes I'm thinking of making two 1 inch holes in the baffle wall as seen in this image: http://home.earthlink.net/~gellett/exhaust/images/mod_exh_flow.gif


I know a real slip-on is better be we juste CAN'T ride with this around here and with my ''power tip'' its already quite a bit noisyer than stock but still acceptable...

All advices are welcome, thanks !

[honda400ex2003]

170 will be a bit rich but the 50 should be pretty close possibly a 52 but you can try around 2.75-3 turns out on the f/a with the 50. im thinking right around a 165 at most. make sure you get it sealed up good when doing the hotstart block off. just use the plunger and such then rtv the hole in the end of the boot.


steve