Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Kx500 snowbike more power!

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Apetty:
Well to start I have a 1993 kx500 with a 16 timbersled LT. this was my first season on the snowbike and loved it! My kx5 has more than enough power for me on dirt, but it takes a lot of power to turn that track, not to mention the elevation loss. For snowbike standards only the 450 turbo guys have more than me. So far I have a fresh top end, Lectron carb, boyesen Rad valve, and an fmf gnarly pipe. Really I don't know how much power I want or how far I want to go, but I want to consider all options though. I've considered a lot of different possibilities like big bore, turbo!!!, nitrous shot, porting, cylinder head mods, ignition mods. Really I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these or maybe some I didn't think of. The turbo idea I think would be the most interesting. Would be really tough to do but I know guys who have 2 stroke snowmobile turbos. Really though I want the most power I can get and still be fairly reliable. There must be some one out there who has contemplated pushing the limits with a kx5. I eagerly await your responses. And thank you in Advance.

sandblaster:
Regardless of which way you choose to go remember this...
If your going to breathe more power into your K5 you need to have a solid bottom end.
More power generally means less engine life.
So everything is a trade off...
Start off building your bottom end with all new bearings, Wossner rod, balance it.
Mic your shift forks and make sure they are in spec.
Inspect your gears carefully.
Consider having the dogs back cut.
On your top end, lifting the cylinder, decking it, porting it, having the head cut, bumping the compression, and running a blend of VP will get you a respectable amount of power.
A big bore is nice especially when you lift the cylinder but can get a bit spendy depending on how far you go.
If you decide that you want help with any of this, give Jason Tanner at JT Engine works a call   541-653-5334
He is part of the team that built Sean Colliers latest K5 and is currently building him a new engine to freshen up his old K5.
You can read about it here:
http://www.oem-cycle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=1170

big green:
I certainly won't argue with anything sandblaster said and I am sure you would get a quality build from jt engine works. I went with Tom Morgan for my build and have been more than satisfied with the build and the support after the build. If you are not farmilar with Tom he is a legend in the Kawasaki community and was also Jeff Ward and Mike Larocco's mechanic among others and knows his way around championship winning KX 500's as well as anyone.Tom has always been willing to take a phone call or answer an email promptly whenever I have had a question. Crazy, usable power! contact him at Tom Morgan Racing at tmm_tmr@yahoo.com or 949 421-7112.

Apetty:
Yeah it's probably a good idea before I try to push more power out to make sure of the bottom end. Especially because I've never been through the tranny to check things. I thought I heard somewhere that third gear likes to go out on the kx5. Anyways is there any reason to use the wossner rod over a different one? Right now I actually have a wiseco piston in it and started reading here a lot of guys haven't had good success with them which is a little scary. Otherwise do you have a lot of Experiance with JT engine works? I read the build which was pretty cool. If there is probably one thing I want to avoid is having to run straight race gas. But I will probably give him a call, not looking to make a commitment yet on anything but just seeing what options are out there.

sandblaster:
3rd gear is a weak spot.
It's not that the gear is inferior to other bikes... its that the K5 is a animal and 3rd gear is really the first gear that you can hook up and get that power to the ground. While you are in the trans, replace all the snap rings.... Also, measure your shift forks, many are way out of spec. You can't get new ones but you can get yours repaired.
The Wossner is a superior quality rod.
If you are going to mod the K5 better seriously consider it.
If your running stock, the stock rod will work great.
Wiseco pistons went through a long period of low quality.
However, if yours has been up and running for a while then no worries.
Jason at JT Engine Works, operates from my shop  :lol:
I can tell you this, there are few and far between builders out there that have the eye for detail, the K5 knowledge, and the ability to put it all together in the way that Jason does at any price.
But I say, shop and compare.
Get a quote from all parties..
Get it in writing what they plan on replacing and with what.
Often it's what is not included on a quote that will get you....

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