headpipes or cam

[tryken]

I will be getting a new silencer for my ex soon and was wondering which would be better to get along with it. Headpipes or a new aftermarket cam. Any help would be appreciated. I looked to see if this question had already been asked but I didn't see it.

[toby400ex]

alot of people dont change their headpipes until they bore their engine, so im think the cam would be a better investment, i need one:mad:

[honda400exrider]

i wud go with cam, but id save a little more and get a high compression piston as well.

[luvmyex]

Id say cam.The header dont make that much differance ive heard.

[tryken]

What makes an aftermarket cam create more power? I am a little hesitant about taring open my engine.

[tryken]

Bump. More suggestions. What all is involved in installing a new cam?

[oynot400]

What kind of power are you looking for? Bottom, mid or top? There are different cams that do different things. Give Web cams a call and tell them what you want and they can suggest someting. I agree the a cam will do you more good than a head pipe.
A cam is fairly easy to replace. The best advice I can give is get a manual. ;) It will walk you right through it.
Different cams have different lifts, which is how much the valve is open. Duration is the other factor, how long the valve is open. One has to do with rev speed and the other has to do with power. I am not sure what does what. :confused:

cam:D

[400EXrider#91]

i'd say the cam too

[Dune Surfer]

I have been told that adding a cam without a high comp piston is a waste of time. The cam makes it breath better but it doesn't need to with a stock piston.
I have done the piston, cam , porting thing a couple of time now and it's not that hard . GET A MANUAL and you can do it. Check out the 426 rebuild pics thread.

[tryken]

Does anyone know webcams website?
I looked and could not find it. Keep all the help coming.

[KandK952]

I would say order up a 440 kit. My cam and port job was overkill for my piston size(before I had a 440), and stock head pipe. So if you want real good results do the 440 and cam... then also get a header when you can afford it. you will be very thankful.

[tryken]

bump

[SuperEX]

I think this is their site http://www.webcamshafts.com

[Steve-o 400EX]

Originally posted by toby400ex
alot of people dont change their headpipes until they bore their engine, so im think the cam would be a better investment, i need one:mad:

I agree. If u are going to bore your motor in the near future, get the header, but if not go for a cam.;) :eek2:

[Varmit57]

Definitely go with the cam, The pipe won't make much of a unless you are running 426 or higher....

[jchevy]

I have a e-series slip on, uni filter, stage one hotcam, a ross standard bore 10.5-1 piston and i can consistently beat raptors.
$125 -piston
$125-cam
$30-manual

For under $300 you can make a huge improvement in your bike. Excellent bang for the buck considering you can spend that on a slip on exhaust.

[carlj75]

jchevy: Did you install the piston and cam yourself? And did it make a huge difference in power?

[jchevy]

Yes i did the install my self. Get a manual, take your time and use a torque wrench putting stuff nack together and you should be fine. The service manual walk you through everything step by step with pictures. It doesnt really mater which manual you get clymers or the factory honda one, they are pretty much the same. Some people like the factory honda manual better.

And yes i noticed a huge power increase. You wont be disapointed with it.

[250racer]

i,ve got a buddy that put a stock xr400 cam in his 400ex and said it really gave it more power. it would probably be cheaper to get than an after market one to:D

[Steve-o 400EX]

The xr400 cam is the same price as the hotcams stage 1 and 2. I looked at it today. With these cams you do not need hardened rockers either, and there is no core charge so you can keep the old one.

[stocktires]

My moto: If your gona do it, Do it Right!

If ya get a cam, get a 416 high comp piston also, and the headers.
If you dont have the $ as of now, just get the headers for now, so you'll only have to open up the motor once.
On a thumper, its always best to get the cam and piston at the same time

[Steve-o 400EX]

Originally posted by stocktires
My moto: If your gona do it, Do it Right!

If ya get a cam, get a 416 high comp piston also, and the headers.
If you dont have the $ as of now, just get the headers for now, so you'll only have to open up the motor once.
On a thumper, its always best to get the cam and piston at the same time

That is also true, this is what I am doing this spring. A 416 kit, hotcam stage 2 and headers. This is really gunna wake up my ex and its not really that expensive.

[jchevy]

I think the xr400 cam runs about $180 from honda and a hotcam stage 1 or 2 runs about $125 from just about any online store.

If your cylinder is in good shape and you dont want to spend the money on boring it out do a standard bore piston just hone the cylinder. Most of the gain comes from the compression, not so much from the displacement.

[Steve-o 400EX]

I saw the xr400 cam for $139 today on marcums website, which is what the hotcams run for on most websites. Here is the link if you dont believe me- Marcums (http://www.motorcycle-atv-pwc.com/400EXPAGE/400MAIN_1.htm) :blah

[jchevy]

I believe ya.

Im thinking of the price from honda. I saw hotcams for $119.95 someplace, and at motoman.com they are $129. Wish i could remeber where i saw them so cheap.

[jchevy]

http://gmo1.com/site/showitem.cfm?searchtype=Keywords&Catalog=47&Brand=99

Hotcam stage 1 or 2 $119.95

I dont know how to do the cool click here thing so i just posted the link:)

[Steve-o 400EX]

Yea its a real pain trying to remember where you find good prices at. thats why i'm shoppin around for all the stuff to do my 416 kit. I saw the hotcam somewhere for $119 too but I can't remember. O well.

[tryken]

In hotcams installation instuctions on their website it says to get new rockers.

[Steve-o 400EX]

Originally posted by tryken
In hotcams installation instuctions on their website it says to get new rockers.

You must have read wrong because for a honda 400ex you do not need to get hardened rockers. Only for the 660r do you need hardened rockers. Ask anyone who has a hotcam, you do not need to get rockers.

[jchevy]

It doesnt need hardened rockers, but technically the rockers should be replaced. The tips of the old rockers will wear with the old cam. So when you replace the cam it is new and smooth while the old rockers are worn with the old cam and may have very slight groves or imperfections. New rockers with a new cam will maximize the life.

I didnt replace my rockers and a lot of people dont. If your bike has a lot of hours on it you may want to consider replacing your them with some other stock ones.

Do not run hardened rockers with a hotcam, the cam isnt a regrind so its not as hard as a lot of other cams and the rockers will wear into it.

[NTPRacing#19]

i plan on gettin mine bored to a 416 with cam highcompression piston and maybe valve job this summer. ive heard very good things about the 416... they are just as reliable as stock and rev quicker than a 440... they are also two totally different motors... 440 for bottom end grunt, 416 for mid-top end hauler.

[NTPRacing#19]

how much horse would a 416, with a cam, lrd fullexhuast, 110 octane fuel, highcompression piston and K&N filter make?

[tryken]

Well I ordered a E-series slip-on today. I am still debating on the cam. I will probably grind the welds on my headers when I put on the slip-on.

[Steve-o 400EX]

Originally posted by tryken
Well I ordered a E-series slip-on today. I am still debating on the cam. I will probably grind the welds on my headers when I put on the slip-on.

I am runnin the e series slip on and ground the welds on my header. Its a good setup. I am gunna bore mine to a 416 and get a cam so i am gunna replace my stock header with a powerbong. I am starting to get addicted to modding my ex, its like everytime i ride i am testin out a new part.:rolleyes:

[YZROOSTINYA]

110 octane is a waste of money

93-100 maximum is all you need. anything above 100 is def pissing money out da window.

the reason they suggest new rockers with the cam is alot of people have really old high hour motors that have seen little maintanence and when dirt and low/poor oil is the oil thing lubricating the rockers they become pitted.


when you tear into the motor power wah it first get all the dirt of the head and cylinder and such. when you pull the vlave cover off you can look at your rockers. if they are pitted or worn unenly then you will need to replace them. if they look good and smooth you do NOT. if you have maintained your ride you will have no problems throwing in a new cam onolder rockers.

i understand the whole preventitive maintanence thing but you need to understand what you are trying to prevent!!!


the HOTCAM is the same material as the stock cam. it comes with a surface on it that will help the cam seat the with the rockers on it properly during breakin, after break in it is very important to change the oil. and should be done a few times after this also.

you can make a 440 outrev AND outpull a 416 and vice versa.

it all depends on how the motor is set up. there are alot more things going on besides displacement in a motor. if you have a heavy low comp piston w/ a mild cam in a 440 and a very aggressive, ported, big carb, light piston, high comp piston in a 416 of course the 416 is gonna win

change the stats and its vice versa.

when someone says 440 you need SPECIFICS.

I like my set up because it has been macthed up. i could have done it 10 differant ways to get differnat power levels and curves.

the highr the lift the more low end, the longer the dutration the more revs when it comes to cams.


but there is such things as overlap and such that go into this also which tell youi where you power is gonna be.

also lighter valvetrain components such as titanium keeps and ti valves will make a big differance, porting......

it goes on and on and on.


i do not suggest a full exhaust on a stock motor

[SuperEX]

here is one on ebay for $119.95

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2404275286&category=34286