The difference between the 300 bayou cam, and the Lakota cam is, Lakota has a roller bearing by the spocket and the bayou 300 has a diffrent type bearing, according to the mech. that put mine in. He might have said the sprocket was different also. Still looking for the 10 to 1 piston. Help please.

 

Good info. 14 thanks. Did you try procircut by chance for the piston.

 

Earlier Bayou 300 4X4 camshafts (at least through 1992, as far as my manuals go) have ball bearings in a retainer, press fit to the camshaft; not sure about later models.

If the Lakota camshaft has roller bearings, I would expect the I.D. and O.D. of the retainer are the same, accepting either the Bayou or Lakota cam, with either bearing retainer fitting into either cylinder head.

The Lakota camshaft has higher lift and longer duration and overlap than the Bayou's; otherwise, I believe the camshafts are interchangeable between machines. The roller bearings should be more robust than the ball bearings, but I would expect either bearing setup to fit either cam.

A Kawasaski employee told me the camshafts could be interchanged, altering horsepower curves; no problem if the Lakota-cammed machine is mainly used for trail riding and not used on slow, long, hot, hard pulls.

You can perhaps clarify the camshaft bearings by looking at the exploded parts diagrams in the parts catalog at www.buykawasaki.com

As to different camshaft sprockets, the parts catalog may tell the story here--if the existing Bayou camshaft sprocket fits the Lakota cam, it'll work, because the sprocket turns the cam at half crankshaft speed.

For a guaranteed camshaft compatability switch, you might look at the WebCam grind 40a hardweld. Drops right in, requires no valvetrain modification, and WebCam will remove and refit your bearing when you send your core to them, if you ask for this service. The WebCam exchange costs less than an outright purchase of a Lakota cam.

Tree Farmer

 

Just checked the exploded parts diagram/parts catalog on www.buykawasaki.com; the 2000 Lakota and Bayou 300 4X4 use the identical camshaft BALL bearing setup, Part #92045-1056, Bearing # 6005C4.

Either your mechanic who told you the Lakota and Bayou use different camshaft bearings is mistaken, or he has a different parts catalog than the one Kawasaki currently has up on the 'net.

Tree Farmer

 

Tree Farmer This was done to my Lakota in 1999, I guess that the mechanic wanted web to do the work for him. You are right about the cost, it was cheaper than buying a cam and sending mine back for a core. Anyway i like the results. Now to find the 10 to 1 piston. I will make some calls this week. Not very computer hip, i still have to rely on the telephone. I did notice the parie 300 uses a 9 to 1 piston. If all else fails do you think i can use it. The mechanic said he could mill the head a little bit to bump the compression also. He said he would also clean the head up some, exhaust port, maybe the intake? can't remember the exacts. He seems knowable to me. But i dont know anything about mechanics. Just to check and change the oil, clean the filter, adjust the chain and lube it, gas it a go.Any ideas will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

I see no downside to milling the head; however, the 300 single's a lot like a tractor engine--doesn't lend itself to easy hop-up; even then you've something less than a full-race chassis and suspension.

To each his own, certainly; if stressing a Kawi 300 for some more oats gives you more fun, go for it!

As to aftermarket speed parts, Four Stroke Technology (FST) has bore-and-stroke kits cataloged; I won't set foot on the slippery slope of a recommendation, only because I have no first-hand experience with the performance results or reliability of these setups. FST probably markets an overbore, high-compression piston, if such components are available.

Most of the performance-squeezing techniques, besides increasing displacement (e.g., boring & stroking), raise the rpm's of both torque and horsepower peaks, often developing less performance than stock at the lower rpm's--make sure your modifications suit your riding style and environment. Keep us posted on your progress, and good luck.

Tree Farmer

 

Thanks for the advise, I just want to increase power from top to bottom. Really dont want to get to carried away with it. Like the machine, it fits my needs. I dont want to go racing. Just want to get to the house a little faster in the evening. I wish they would put the parrie 400 motor in it.I plan on keeping it for years to come.

 

Great info. Treefarmer. I know we appreciate the research for this 'cause I too am interested in the changing my cam. Do you by chance know what kind of increases would be expected for the 40a compared to the stock Lakota cam. It is more for torque or top end. Would be great if it improved throughout the entire power band.

 

I can't compare performance with the Lakota cam, a friend and I both upgraded our Bayous with WebCam 40a's. We found good low-end torque with considerably more top-end power, compared to the Bayou's stock stick.

WebCam may have some comparison data with the Lakota; I'd expect the 40a's profile to be closer to the Lakota's than the Bayou's. The 40b is more radical, but requires valvetrain upgrades, new valve springs at least; further, without extensive modifications, I doubt you could take adavantage of the 40b's potential. Good luck!

Tree Farmer