Well guys. You all have been a ton of help for me and my 400L for the last year. Now that everything is strait and running good. I have been calling around for ideas on modds. I called RCR, because of his great service and experiance. He has never steared me in the wrong direction. I ride with a lot of big bore 4x4's. I keep up with them really well. The mud slowes me down a little. It seems like I could use a little more power down low and midrange. I am not trying to break any land speed records, but if it comes with the other power I want so be it. I spoke with Rick. I told him my riding style, and I didn't want an super loud bike. Quieter is better for me. So he picked out a pipe that used my stock silencer, He worked a clutch setup, jet kit and everything I needed. The price was awsome. I then told him this bike was rode pretty hard by the PO and I am not to kind to it either. It starts in a snap, and seems to have power. But it had never been opened in any way. Completely stock. I know it has lost power from stock. For now I modded the air box a little and now it pulls the wheels again on take off. Once I told Rick this he didn't want to sell me the kit he worked up. He said I need to do a piston upgrade or I'll be asking for trouble with the kit. I am taking his advise. I am very handy with tools. I have never messed with a 2 stroke. Any pointers would be great.

Things I am looking to do.
upgrade the piston to a Wisco. Up the compression a little (maybe) I want pump gas still
get his ported and milled head for a core charge and $50 (keeping in mind the compression for pump gas)

Is their anything else I should do?Or what to look for?

What all is needed to do the top end piston replacement? Gaskets, piston, rings, etc. I am looking on Ebay and people sell piston kits and gaskets really cheep. I want to make sure I get everything I need from them if I go that route.

Thanks

 

Have Rick or Bubba port the cylinder get your gaskets from sledpartsguy on ebay.He has wiesco pistons reasonable too but I like to buy the piston from who ever bores my cylinder.Makes them feel better and do a better job(imo).If you plan on pump gas dont mill the head or anything to bump up compresion.You could go with a set of aftermarket reeds too.If you get the pipe from RcR get his clutch kit too .

 

The cylinder is the part under the head. Kind of tall. I guess I can take it to a machine shop to get it bored. Rick didn't say anything about boring. I guess it will need it. Or at least I'll find out when I take it appart. Am I putting in a new connecting rod when I do this? Or is it just the piston? If it needs to be bored maybe Rick has them done already and does a core charge with them. I am getting the pipe, and clutch kit for sure while this is being done. Reeds I am not sure about. Do they realy do something? I have read mixed reviews.

 

Yep the cylinder is what the piston goes up and down in......and the head is the top of your motor(what holds in the compression).....Rick is absolutely correct, you need a wiseco(should have had one a long time ago)......it is a must when dealing with these quads. The compression is up to you really, but I'd go with as high as I could, and still run the gas you want to(I'd run premium if its available(91octane)).......You shouldn't need a new rod, it will be fine. You might want to check to see how you bottom end is doing(how tight it feels), Rick can explain how he wants you to do this........Porting is always good to, it really wakes up the quad. Bubba and Rick both do good work I'm sure. Next, The reeds are important too, I think the best out there is v-force, but you'd have to ask Rick on that one too. Next, a clutch kit is a good idea for all types of riding. And finally, if you have a nice motor, you need a good carb to provide some fuel to it. I'd go with a bigger carb, if Rick suggests it........and try really hard to get it jetted correctly. Oh yea, and I'd also get a good exhaust system, as Rick and you find one, keep HPD in mind. Their products are top of the line........

 

I understand that working on quads can run into a lot of money , I don't blame anyone for trying to save a few dollars where they can . If you are in the market for tires or brand named accessories you are wise to shop around for the best price on items that you know what you are getting ---- compare apples to apples not apples to oranges .

When you get in the engine it can be a little different except for a wiseco piston , a wiseco is a wiseco is a wiseco , that is until you are going to get a bore job . Buy the piston from the shop boring it . Your cylinder may clean up at 10 over , if you bought a 20 over piston you just wasted a bore . If you bought a 10 over , and you have heavy wear , you will need to buy another one 20 over and then deal with return hassles .

*E-bay* topend kits almost always contain the cheap gaskets , on a Polaris 400 ALWAYS use factory Polaris gaskets , they cost over twice as much and are worth every penny . These are all I use on a 400 Polaris . Less expensive head gaskets will seal fine 80 % of the time , it's not worth the risk to me . The wrist pin bearings too can be of lesser quality as well . I could sell pin bearings for half the cost aswell , but , I have seen the cages come apart and it will trash every thing . I use wiseco bearings or Factory Polaris , the really low cost ones I stay away from .

At my place a bore , piston kit , gaskets , pin bearing and return shipping will cost $215 .

Rick Ritter

 

Hey Rick that is a good price on the topend.The dealer here costs me that much and a little more and I take it to him.

 

See that is why I am sticking with one person. Rick I have delt with you for numerous problems, and you and this discussion forum have helped me termendously. Sometimes when I am on the phone I forget to ask some questions. I don't want to call back all the time and bug you. So I come on here and ask them.

As far as the Ebay stuff. I really didn't seak out to find the "cheepest" price for the parts I need. I have purchaced numerous stuff from others parting their 400, A-arms, spindles, 99 long shocks, and springs. I just happened to see this one particular person selling the rebuild kits constantly. I do understand the boring process and needing the correct size piston for the job. You know what I am looking for. That price you just gave me looks great. It is much easier to get everything from one shop.

Do you do a core on the cylinder also? I was just curious on the turn over time that is all. I am used to building small block fords, and the machine shops take for ever. I wouldn't think this would take a long time being one cylinder. but I know nothing about it. I will be sending the head up with it. So you can work your magic on that. Is this going to require carb porting as well? Or a bigger carb?

Ryan

 

it doesnt take rick long to perform his magic on the cylinders,when i talked to him he had trail ported cylinders sitting on the shelf ready to go.i dont remember what the core charge is but if you send him all your parts before he sends you the new ones then there shouldnt be any core charge..if you dont wanna go all out and wanna save a little money the having rick bore your stock carb is the best best,its a pretty cheap mod compared to the price of a bigger carb.

 

I hope the carb I have will work, but If I am definately gaining power with it, and porting is all that needs to be done with the carb I'll send that also. I would rater spend the little it cost to have him port it. Than have the lack of performance I paid for for the top end. Know what I mean.....

 

I have cylinders, heads, and bored carburetors done and ready to roll , I can ship immediattely . There is a core charge (security deposit ) on my parts when I send them until I recieve yours back . I have been known to waive the charge for poeple of good character .

Rick