I think that I am leaning towards a 426CC kit for my ex 400. My local Honda dealer recomends againts the 440 as they claim it isnt reliable enough (pulls head studs) and runs too hot. Anyhow, he is recomending that I get the Xr400 cam over either of the hot cams. his reason is that the hot cams dont have "decompression" like the honda cams do.
anyone have any thoughts? any experiences? I would like to hear how the XR400 cam works VS a hot cam stage I and stage II.
Thank you in advance.
Don

 

the xr cam is a bit less aggressive than the stage 1 hotcam. i think i would avoid that cam unless you are basically looking for low end power for really tight tracks or trail riding. for the 426, i highly recommend getting a new sleeve pressed in. if you don't want to mess with that, go with a 406 or 416. my buddy nor i never had any problems starting the bike with either stage 1 or 2 hotcams. i now run a TC cam that has the decompression assembly. it is no easier to start in my opinion. i am not sure what type of riding style your doing so i can't suggest a cam.

 

1st of all. .I am 41 so I am not going to be doing large jumps or getting TOO stupid HOWEVER< I do have a need for acceleration. I doubt if I ever pull the motor past 6K to tell yo uthe truch. I want ditch digging TORQE and I want it low and mid. Power up high is good too, but not as importaint as being able to throw dirt/rocks from a roll in 2nd gear..
I like to do trails and hills as well as just out and out WFO riding (wide F*cking open).
I have had 10 second 600 horse power mustangs.. that went from 0-60 in under 4 seconds.. so I really would like some skin stretching acceleration. the sad part about it is I was pretty happy until my buddy in his stock 02 outran me by 5 lenths by the end of 4th gear.. andI have a pipe and K&N and rejet.
do you still have a cam for sale?

 

I have 2 cents to throw in.
I recently had a 426 88mm piston and a Stage 1 Hot Cam put in a 2003 400EX. It made it a whole new bike. Just kicked with low to mid range torque and power. Could really feel the pull. Specially up hills. But I ran 91 octane pump gas. Bike got real hot quick. Tried airscoops and Maxima ATV oil. Did not help.
Not good for long rides with a group out in the dunes or trails. I have since sold it. Just became to unrelieable. Once it got hot it lost lots of power. I was later told I should have run VP C-12 race gas even if the compression was only 11:1:1.
Just some food for thought.

 

I have a 450-451 model web cam in my stoked 440ex. It is the 416(87mm) piston stroked 4 mm. The cam is absolute bottom end. I mean grip ruining torque. It pulls so hard its dam near scary. With 16/38 it will carry fourth gear for ever, without trying tom wheelie. Web cams are more money then Hotcams but way worth the $$. I run 15 37 now with 22" Razr2's, it runs those tires great.

Webcamshafts.com if you want to check them out.

 

I've had a JE416 10.8:1 and that thing hauled ***, but.. it got hot unless u ran really high octane in it because of high compression. I then put a 10.1:1 WB440 kit in it and it seemed to run pretty good. You can't put around slow speeds when it's real hot out, but other than that it seemed good. I raced mx with both. I liked the 416 more but it was too expensive to buy race fuel for it just to keep it cool.

I had a Hotcams stage 2 in the motor with both top ends. I deffinately would go with another hotcams. Big difference from stock. It's also nice that they don't need a core, so you get to keep your stock cam. I have had more EX's appart than I could even even begin to count and I've never really seen a cam without decompressor do any damage. Worse case senario is it might wear your starter motor out a little sooner. I also had to deal with them with a defective part when they first started with the 400ex cams and they had great customer service etc...

 

i have hear from a very reputable engine builder that the xr400 cam is the way to go... i think its the hrc xr400 cam can't remember

 

the HRC and XR cams are different. I run the XR cam and found it to be a very nice gain on the bottom and mid with not so much on top. but I am still running the stock piston.

 

well, you may not want the stage 2 is this is the power your looking for. i would consider the stage 1. also, the hrc, like i mentioned would be great for "all around power." you will have good low, really good midrange, and good top end power. the TC 926 (woods cam) might suit you too. i think the web 450/451 is actually more of a top end cam. it may not feel like it in his stroker though. the web 479, from who i talk too, like it much better because it will provide more low end power with a minimal high rpm decrease in power. these web cams will require hardened rockers though.

 

I just put a 426 cylinder and Ross 11:1 piston on ebay (install by CT Racing) along with a web cam 450/451 grind. The auction is up Sunday night if interested. It was a strong combo and the reason I have it on ebay is I went to a 440 12.5:1