I have a 400ex and am shooting for a 440 by early spring.I am not ready to part with my quad just yet, I love this quad, but it DEF needs some get up. I would like some opinions from those who have had 440ex before. Pros and Cons, Who to stay away from doing my work and who is good. Whats a good Ave prioce and whats rediculously priced. Who will deliver in an fair amy of time and who seems to take MORE than there tiem. So Basically, I need a crach course on this so I can go feeling like I may a good choice on who to build me up a good running, and powered motor.......Thanks everyone.TINA [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]........

 

I had my 440 kit installed about a year and a half ago. The pros obviously are that you will feel much more punch throughout the entire power band. I notice the differnece most when I am climbing hills. I have a lot more torque and it is much easier to get the front end up. Now for the cons. After I got it I tried to make sure that I broke the engine in again. You don't really want to get on it for at least one or two tanks of gas. That can be frustrating but in the long run isn't really an issue. Also, I used to be able to run pump gas but now I have to run Race fuel like VP or trick. About three trips after getting the 440 I noticed that I was burning oil like crazy. I took it into my mechanic and he told me that the rings probably had to set and that I should have broken it in longer. He convinced me to take it out one more time being easy on it and just to make sure to bring extra oil with me and then if I still had the same problem I should bring it back to him. Well he was right. I have had no problems since. The bike blows a little smoke now (white) but runs perfectly and is able to keep up with just about any new quad out there. I think you will be happy with the 440 and let me know how it goes!

 

Thank you for the response!! So, it IS nessisalry to run race gas now with a 440 huh.....????? I wasnt sure if this was the case or just a preference. So how much "tweeking "will be invoilved in having a 440? I ride alot of sand in the summer so added power will DEF be a bonus for climbing hills......

 

you dont "have" to run race, it all depends on the compression of the piston. there are many varieties of compression, i dont know them, but im sure someone smarter than me will get on here and give you some choices.....as far as finding a builder, i hear that sparks 416's are ripping it up faster than other builders 440's. Bad thing about sparks is turn around time is long, and prices are high....good work though.

 

one more thing if you do get this done, make sure you dont short cut your break in time. And have someone check head gaskets and seals every so often.
Do you plan on head porting too? If so it would really make that kit rip!

 

Yes, Porting for sure., or should I ??? Ive heard the 416 rips, but I rode a426 and it sucked BIGTIME! Not what I would have expeclted at all for the amt of money spent so I just figured if I was alot more than that ,a 440 would be the way to go.... Lots to learn... Thanks again for the replies,this will help me make the right desicion.........

 

that is true you may not have to run race gas depending on the compression. I don't do much work to the bike myself but I have a very trusted mechanic. He told me after he installed the 440 kit that I had to run race gas. Must have been because of the piston he used.

 

hey everyone i had some questions about the 440. once i have it done, do i have to run race gas? like what does everyone mean by compression like high compression is that gonna need to run race gas? and i was woundering what is everyone talking about with the 416 and 426 stuff. i need to quad engines i don't know much about there engines.

 

Tina,
If money is not a huge road block, I would suggest: 440 kit, 12:1 -13:1 piston( I like JE or Ross a little better thatn Weisco, not a biggie though), Carillo Rod, new head studs from FDO, HD timing chain, TC or Sparks cam, hard faced rockers, oversize or at least s/s valves in stock size, port polish, FCR 39 carb, and a Dyna box. This will double your power. You could run a 11:1 piston, run straight pump and not give up too much. You might be able to get away without the Carillo rod and the HD studs with this psiton. The first thing I would ditch is the rev box, followed by the hard faced rockers, and cam, replaced with a drop in cam (XR400 cam, or a Hot Cam).
Now for a little more budget minded build: 416 0r 426 in stock sleve, piston of your choice (depending on your fuel), drop in cam, port and polished head, and the FCR carb.
I have a set up close to the first( but t 426), minus the black box, I am geting one soon! It runs great, I run race fuel ( 13 to 1) and it goes really good. Its as fast as most other 440s I have run. I would look into F.D.O. they build fast motors and are quick turn around. I also think that Baldwin, TC, FST,and Duncan build really nice motors. But the other alternative is to have a local machine shop bore cyl, send the hear out for p&p, order the cam, and a book and do it your self! Its not to hard if you have time and patience!
Good Luck

 

Wait till you get the quad first, then if you need more power then get the kit. Your still a long ways away, wait till you see if you have enough money. I know some ppl that were talking about the kit b 4 they got the quad, but when they got it, the quad was plenty fast for them.