engine builders

TSCHAM101
Posts
1064
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12/7/2015
Location
Norco, CA US
7/19/2018 9:38am Edited Date/Time 7/28/2018 6:50am
Any recommendations on engine builders, thinking of putting a few more ponies in the ole bike and moving the power curve higher..

16 kx450
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Flipsid33
Posts
164
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11/24/2011
Location
Canyon Country, CA US
7/19/2018 10:00am
Frenchie from C4MX would be my pick. He is busy with Honda Racing now but he may want to do it on the weekend.
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motox11
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304
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1/22/2014
Location
Bainbridge, NY US
7/19/2018 10:12am
Derek Harris at HP Race development is a big contributor with his knowledge on this forum and I believe raced that same exact bike at LL last year so I'm sure he knows the bike inside and out.
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-MAVERICK-
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Ontario CA
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7/19/2018 10:12am
Proven Moto
Twisted Development
TMR
5
7/19/2018 10:16am
motox11 wrote:
Derek Harris at HP Race development is a big contributor with his knowledge on this forum and I believe raced that same exact bike at LL...
Derek Harris at HP Race development is a big contributor with his knowledge on this forum and I believe raced that same exact bike at LL last year so I'm sure he knows the bike inside and out.
Was going to suggest the same.
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The Shop

PTshox
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1349
Joined
10/1/2011
Location
Highland Village, TX US
7/19/2018 3:32pm
4 stroke = Ron Hamp. RHC.
He's got a spec for that head too as I recall. Ask him about it.
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Hammer 663s
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2313
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6/2/2016
Location
Forest Grove, OR US
7/19/2018 3:38pm Edited Date/Time 7/19/2018 3:39pm
Well in NorCal there's always Haeseker Racing Engines in Sutter Creek. Well known builder.

Hammer 663s
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rob162
Posts
609
Joined
7/8/2015
Location
IL US
7/19/2018 6:45pm
So many really good builders. Dont listen to people tell thier horror stories. It happens with ALL builders. You name a builder ive heard a story. Here is a list in no order.

Gorr, TZR, Dasa, william motor werx,varner, tom morgan, frenchy at C4MX, tokyo mod, twisted development, race tech, pr2, Ron hamp, harris performance, zip ty chad watts and and a great builder that just went on his own from JGR john Mitchell from Bundy Built.

ALL of these guy's can build you a bitchin head.
I needed a head rebuilt while i was at clubmx and john at Bundy built dropped everything to fix my head so it didnt ruin my 2 weeks down there. Saved me big time gave me a tour of his new shop and hooked me up with some trick valves to.
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TeamGreen
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11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
7/19/2018 6:58pm
Yesterday I rode the Rocket Performance/Rocket Exhaust 2018 CRF450R. It was EASY Fast. It was REALLY EASY to ride fast. I have no higher compliment for a race bike. This is the same bike Vital MX tested and loved. They build amazing motors!



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swtwtwtw
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1287
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4/16/2008
Location
Apple Valley, CA US
7/19/2018 7:22pm
Terry Varner! In Hesperia, CA. None better
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H4L
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2499
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3/18/2016
Location
CA US
7/19/2018 9:20pm
These would be my top 5 reputable engine tuners.
1. PC
2. Yoshimura
3. Terry Varner
4. Tom Morgan
5. Chad Watts
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mwssquad827
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1463
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8/4/2016
Location
Twin Falls, ID US
7/19/2018 9:57pm
Don’t mean to hijack but what about 2 stroke builders? Varner/Morgan/gorr/pc?? What about race tech I have t heard much about there 2 stroke builds
MxKing809
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Big Sand Whoops, MI US
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7/20/2018 3:33am
Chad at XPR
7/20/2018 5:43am
Go with someone close, there is alot of good builders out there, sometimes just ask there opinion, they might have a good setup with out alot of work. any one of the above mentioned are good.
Moto520
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3375
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2/4/2013
Location
Schaumburg, IL US
7/20/2018 6:45am
Tzr has been building Kawasakis for his race team and his work is great. Very ethical company with a great knowledge base. Call them and decide!
VonShofstall
Posts
11
Joined
10/11/2008
Location
Livermore, CA US
7/20/2018 6:45am
TeamGreen wrote:
Yesterday I rode the Rocket Performance/Rocket Exhaust 2018 CRF450R. It was EASY Fast. It was REALLY EASY to ride fast. I have no higher compliment for...
Yesterday I rode the Rocket Performance/Rocket Exhaust 2018 CRF450R. It was EASY Fast. It was REALLY EASY to ride fast. I have no higher compliment for a race bike. This is the same bike Vital MX tested and loved. They build amazing motors!



Really? Better than the Kawi 450 motor I built for you? I'm hurt...
slipdog
Posts
10043
Joined
7/25/2009
Location
Nor Cal, CA US
7/20/2018 7:04am
TeamGreen wrote:
Yesterday I rode the Rocket Performance/Rocket Exhaust 2018 CRF450R. It was EASY Fast. It was REALLY EASY to ride fast. I have no higher compliment for...
Yesterday I rode the Rocket Performance/Rocket Exhaust 2018 CRF450R. It was EASY Fast. It was REALLY EASY to ride fast. I have no higher compliment for a race bike. This is the same bike Vital MX tested and loved. They build amazing motors!



Really? Better than the Kawi 450 motor I built for you? I'm hurt...
Would you look at what the cat dragged in!
1
VonShofstall
Posts
11
Joined
10/11/2008
Location
Livermore, CA US
7/20/2018 7:09am
TeamGreen wrote:
Yesterday I rode the Rocket Performance/Rocket Exhaust 2018 CRF450R. It was EASY Fast. It was REALLY EASY to ride fast. I have no higher compliment for...
Yesterday I rode the Rocket Performance/Rocket Exhaust 2018 CRF450R. It was EASY Fast. It was REALLY EASY to ride fast. I have no higher compliment for a race bike. This is the same bike Vital MX tested and loved. They build amazing motors!



Really? Better than the Kawi 450 motor I built for you? I'm hurt...
slipdog wrote:
Would you look at what the cat dragged in!
Haha! Hi Slippy, Hope all is well with you!
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA US
7/20/2018 7:35am
Really? Better than the Kawi 450 motor I built for you? I'm hurt...
slipdog wrote:
Would you look at what the cat dragged in!
Haha! Hi Slippy, Hope all is well with you!
Ya know, that Kawi was bad ass and gave Dostal is only good race in 2008. But, it did have one of those carburetor thingys...so, that seems like way, way back.
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mx295
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4266
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Location
Quartz Hill, CA US
7/20/2018 7:41am
C4MX
7/20/2018 11:58am
PTshox wrote:
4 stroke = Ron Hamp. RHC.
He's got a spec for that head too as I recall. Ask him about it.
If you truly want big hp - ron has this bike dialed for big numbers

His head and cam profile design for that gen engine can be found on the last outdoor championship bike and this years potentially winning bike

If the bike is used for moto - hp isnt really your issue for going faster
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crc245
Posts
1082
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10/29/2007
Location
Yorba Linda, CA US
7/20/2018 12:22pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 12:23pm
crc245 wrote:
I'd try AHM: http://www.ahmfactoryservices.com/

Local for you and they know Kawi's quite well (just ask Bowers) Cool
With a pc engine Smile
PC parts utilized, indeed, just like the combination of Hinson, CP-Carrillo, Vortex, etcetera. However, I'm pretty sure they grind a head specifically for TB69 and touch up a few other items as well...


OP - If the desired goal is moving the power curve higher, a Vortex x10 is magic for your 16' (which had notoriously bad stock mapping). It can be improved upon even more with engine work (porting, diferent cam profiles, etc) but the box (and good fuel) may be enough of an improvement to keep you content.

Many of the tuners mentioned above can help you out in a prompt and professional manner: Varner, AHM, PC, C4MX, Twisted, XPR, Rocket, and others are all SoCal local - Which is a huge bonus in lieu of sending your stuff out. It absolutely SUCKS waiting 3+ months for parts that are promised to return within 4-6 weeks, right Derek?
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PTshox
Posts
1349
Joined
10/1/2011
Location
Highland Village, TX US
7/20/2018 12:55pm
PTshox wrote:
4 stroke = Ron Hamp. RHC.
He's got a spec for that head too as I recall. Ask him about it.
If you truly want big hp - ron has this bike dialed for big numbers His head and cam profile design for that gen engine can...
If you truly want big hp - ron has this bike dialed for big numbers

His head and cam profile design for that gen engine can be found on the last outdoor championship bike and this years potentially winning bike

If the bike is used for moto - hp isnt really your issue for going faster
I didn't want to over sell RHC... but Derek has good points as Ron has done some work for factories. Further, there are several tuners listed here that are using RHC developed parts in their builds. From Cams to valves to valve springs. One of the guys listed here didn't even know he was using RHC parts! One of the builders that is really a 2 stroke guy listed goes to Ron for advise too. Ron knows 4 strokes.

But to Derek's point... it will have a LOT of HP and that may not be what you need. So be honest with him on your skill set. A cam and mapping can change a lot.

7/20/2018 1:21pm
crc245 wrote:
I'd try AHM: http://www.ahmfactoryservices.com/

Local for you and they know Kawi's quite well (just ask Bowers) Cool
With a pc engine Smile
crc245 wrote:
PC parts utilized, indeed, just like the combination of Hinson, CP-Carrillo, Vortex, etcetera. However, I'm pretty sure they grind a head specifically for TB69 and touch...
PC parts utilized, indeed, just like the combination of Hinson, CP-Carrillo, Vortex, etcetera. However, I'm pretty sure they grind a head specifically for TB69 and touch up a few other items as well...


OP - If the desired goal is moving the power curve higher, a Vortex x10 is magic for your 16' (which had notoriously bad stock mapping). It can be improved upon even more with engine work (porting, diferent cam profiles, etc) but the box (and good fuel) may be enough of an improvement to keep you content.

Many of the tuners mentioned above can help you out in a prompt and professional manner: Varner, AHM, PC, C4MX, Twisted, XPR, Rocket, and others are all SoCal local - Which is a huge bonus in lieu of sending your stuff out. It absolutely SUCKS waiting 3+ months for parts that are promised to return within 4-6 weeks, right Derek?
Yep

also sucks getting slow bikes for big money.
7/20/2018 4:30pm
I have had good luck with hp, Williams and rhc, go with what you want, if possible try to find bikes that have some work done, and ride them.
bradmx421
Posts
1615
Joined
1/9/2010
Location
Riverside, CA US
7/20/2018 5:13pm
Motor Medic Racing.....out of Temecula, CA

RCN4HIM
Posts
217
Joined
1/21/2013
Location
Holly Springs, SC US
7/21/2018 4:37am
Only one builder mentioned in this thread that has been voted AMA mechanic of the year more than once, multiple motocross and supercross championships in a era when the oem's gave you the parts and said "make it work!"... Tom Morgan Racing. A lot of us think of Tom as a 2 stroke builder but he was building 4 strokes for drag/road racing & doing streetbike product development for Kawasaki Japan before they recruited him to the MX side... Been around motorsports and builders my whole life and none have impressed me like Tom and the work he has done for us and others I know??.
motomike894
Posts
1486
Joined
9/6/2009
Location
Waterloo, IN US
7/21/2018 5:07am
Tom Zont Racing in Illinois.

Tom is insanely smart, and does extremely good, clean work.

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