Hey guys just wondering how well your raptor is holding up with some serious modifications. I have a bone stock raptor and was considering updating it, however i heard that if you do any motor work, its a serious issue with the raptors in general. Can anyone chime in with some "test of time" results? I'd be interested in getting a big bore kit, cam, pipe, etc.... but i dont want to sacrafice it to where i get a moneypit machine. let me know what you think!

 

Kenz built 727 here. Been going strong for 1 1/2 years now.

 

Raptor motors can be modified and still be reliable but you (your builder) have to know what's important. It's more expensive to do it right but you'll only cry once. I've had 2 Craycraft Raptor builds and both of them have been reliable. Replace the rod, clutch, and one-way at a minimum. If you can afford it, I'd also recommend heat/friction coatings and cryo treating. IMHO, more Raptor motors have grenaded because of improper assembly and/or tuning than an inherently weak motor design. Save a little longer so you can upgrade *all* the weak links and go with a proven builder, you'll be fine.

Performance modified machines, any of them, are always a money pit. Even if your motor is fine, there are plenty of other parts that should be upgraded to handle the increased power. Quads are no different than cars, adding power just uncovers the next weakest link.

 

Yeah im just wondering how to go about it really. Im not interested in putting 1500 into the motor though, 750 or less is about the right price for now, because ill be adding suspension and such. I was seriously going to get rid of the raptor but i have no interest in the 450 after riding it, and if it holds up for me, it will be a great bike im sure. I just gotta figure out what to do. I have a full lrd pipe at my disposal whenever i want it, i just dont know what else to add to it really. It doesnt have enough top end power for me, i'd like to just get it going really strong, yet keep it very reliable.

 

im in the same boat. sure i want the big bore and everything else but $$$$$. as the others said do it all the way or just very little the guys that go half way are the ones broke down all the time. for me i went with full yosh.( i went full system so i can upgrade latter) k&n spend the extra and get the billet plate.gytr jet kit and just installed hot cam stage 1 that is as far as ill go on the stock rod. I think I could get away with a little more but would end up redoing it in the end. next step will be 686 craycraft from the rod to the valves no shortcuts. im into mine for $710.00 and its 6-8 bikes faster that stock. good luck what ever you do.

 

AS im looking through the builders' site, it provides very little info on what they do and the turnaround time. I havent found any aftermarket rods just yet for the raptor but im looking. I really dont mind putting some money into the bike as long as i know its not going to grenade on me, and that ill have it for a long time. A pipe, cam, big bore kit, valve springs, really what else other than a better rod and such. Im definetely interested in doing something with the raptor, might as well keep it because the other bikes out there right now dont impress me a whole lot, might as well make the best of it with the raptor for a 4 stroke bike. Does anyone have any other links or what not about the rods and other performance mods?

 

Call around to different builders. Craycraft, Kenz, And Sparks are the most popular and are very good from everything posted on these forums. I have personal experiance with Craycraft and have nothing but good things to say.It can get expensive though. I have over $3000+ in the work i had done. I had a new tranny,1way,rod,balance.cam piston valves head work,carb mods etc.. Port work is 400 and up most places.There are seveal guys I ride with that have high comp pistons and stock rods with no problems.One of them is a stock bore 12.5 piston, x-4 cam,35mmfcrs,port work with stock everything else and it hauls a$$ and has been for some time with ZERO problems. I beleive were it counts is the machining and proper assembly and matainence.

 

does anyone have any experience with the carillo h-beam rod for the raptor
i have only seen it on alba
i know that carillo makes bad a$$ rods for cars and the h-beams are strong as can be

 

Carillo or fallicon is the way to go.

 

I've been abusing the one in mine for 1 1/2 years now. No problems.