400ex to 450r project needing tips

[knott89]

[ 02 400ex dont know much about it . picked it up cheap runs and rides good. needs lots of tlc. im not wanting to spend alot of cash on this build i just want it to look like a 450 and halfass keep up
thinking of doing 450r tplastic conversion similar to one i seen on here before .
im wanting bore kit but not sure what the best kit would be for moderate trail riding and lots of road riding/racing?

im needing advice in all angles my friends have 426 ex and yfz/ltr 450s with some bolt ons and programmers im wanting to road ride with them
and not get completly smoked! would like to run pump gas only race fuel is hard to get in my area

[knott89]

how it waas when i first got it

[knott89]

after just messin around cleanin it up and lil spray paint ill prolly change wheels and tires and all tht but i just want any suggestions to the things im gonna need to do to run with the 450s on road rides as cheap and reliable as possible

[knott89]

pic#2

[knott89]

as far as doing the 450r plastics another guy on here made that seem like a breeze so im gonna be tryin that b4 too long.

[rinconrider]

subscribed, take alot of pics and document your fender install


any 416+ & 10:1 comp+ bore, good cam, pipe, p&p, 450r carb will run with a lightly modded 450. might not beat them all but it will keep up when hitting the fields and such and show some of them how dust tastes when you go by them.

[honda400ex2003]

x2 on rincon riders engine suggestions

steve

[ish416]

Just install 05 - 07 400EX plastic, it's basically the same as the 450R plastic.

The best "kit" is the one you make yourself.

Just buy a piston at 11:1 or 10.8:1 compression for pump gas(86.5mm = 406, 87mm = 416, 88mm = 426) then go get your cylinder bored at a local shop.
Gaskets = XR400R or Cometic
Intake = KN filter or aftermarket foam filter
Exhaust = You need a slip on at the least, I suggest a motoworks
Cam = stage 2 hotcam
Carb = 04-05 450R carb or an FCR
Jets for carb
Gearing = if your riding on pavement gear it tall!! 16/38 on 20' tires.

Even if you do all of the above, the 450s should still walk away from you without really trying if they have just the basic mods.

If you can't do all of the above, then focus on the piston/bore, intake and slip-on exhaust as they will allow the engine to breathe easier. Then followed by the carb and cam (really compliment each other) and finally the gearing.

The stock header is actually really nice and replacing the header is the LAST thing you should be replacing for power. That is why just a slip on is recommended.

The carb, either the 04-05 450R carb or the FCRs are without a doubt the best performance for your money besides the piston. However, without an increase in compression, an intake and exhaust will not be getting the full potential out of this, thus why this is at it's current position in the list.

The stage 2 cam along with the rest of the mods will seriously make you think you might be riding a bigger quad that what you are. The cam is a decent mod but without the supporting mods it really isn't worth it for the money. Also, if you really want to notice a major difference in power, do the carb and cam at the same time.

Finally, gearing. At this point your EX should be able to get to 5th gear quick enough and have enough torque to pull taller gearing for about a 3-5 mph top speed gain.

Don't do shortcuts. It will be very disappointing.

Also, check out this sorta free mod for your EX.

http://www.atvriders.com/articles/choke400ex.html

Don't forget to research the stickes .. http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464998

[knott89]

thanks for takin the time ish416 i appreciate it

[knott89]

thamks on the new style 400 plastic tip but i do like the 450r plastic better its got a sportier/racier look with the rear fenders bein different also im gonna try to clone completely

[mineralgrey01gt]

I say fix whatever else it needs to be fixed and just buy a 450r. By the time you dump the money into it make it run with a stock one you could have had a modded one

[knott89]

see i figure i paid $600 for this 400 ex i put a big bore in it and a pipe for around $700 450 plastic new wheels and tires and a rev box and i have a pretty fast nice lookin 450 for 16-$1700.00
and i have fun doin it instead of comin up with 2500 cash for a worn out 450 and doin a 1,000 rebuild after i ride it a month ya know?

[mineralgrey01gt]

I spent $500 just in parts and boring my cylinder to get mine to what it was.

416 11:1 piston kit, stage 2 hot cam, crf450 chain, boring, and 450r carb.

Then the exhaust could be a good bit more if your not buying used.


I know in my area I can get 450r's for around $2200=$2500 that are in really good shape. If you want to keep the 400ex then its all good which they are good bikes i cant complain but i got extremely bored with mine quickly and wanted more power thus why i went to a banshee next then my ltr450 which is lightyears more quad in stock form than my 400ex was modded

[HondaRacing83]

if you can clean it up nice, and type a good ad you could prob get $1500-$1100 for your ex. or put it on partial trade on a 450, totally not worth doin all this IMHO.

[knott89]

ya im starting to agree i talked to my buddies today and they said the same and just buy a 450 but idk i may just fix it and ride it or sell it as is dont know yet just kinda lookin into things