Anyone have experience putting a cr500 motor into a zilla? specifically mods necessary, did it shake, etc?

 

Why? If you want to put a different 500 motor in to replace a perfectly good 500 motor, I'd look at the KX500, as it produces more rideable power and is still in production. ]

To answer your initial question, no, I don't have experience with it. It just seems like kind of a waste of time because the CR500 motor doesn't produce much if any more power than a LT500 motor that has the normal mods which amount to about a $1500 tops. Plus, you can sell a Zilla with the original motor to anyone, not so with a frankenstien.

 

I've talked to a couple people that have built exotics for the dunes for years, and they tell me the CR500 has FAR more potential than the LT500 engine.

I had often wondered why people didn't just source the counterbalanced LT500 engines for TRX500R conversions instead of dealing with the vibes from a CR500.

Can't really comment on the KX500 vs the CR500 other than the KX has a powervalve. However, CR's are far more common and it's much easier to locate engines and various parts.

 

I chose Honda for a specific reason, let's just say there are advantages to me right now to use Honda parts. I rarely sell the stuff I have, so "frankenquad" status is not a concern. Plus Lt500 mods in California would cost way more than $1500, including the main bearing inserts etc.

I already have a CR500, so that's what I have to work with.

You're probably right about the power, I would prefer a powerband with less peak than the cr500, and the kx500 would be a good alternative. I know the KX in a quad shakes severly unless balanced and mounted correctly.
A built lt500 motor would probably be around the same power as a stock cr500, which I think is around 70 hp?

 

I don't care what engine you put in your bike, but I am looking for an extra Zilla motor! I would like to find one for a reasonable price.

 

A built LT is around 75 RWHP and a stock CR500 is around 65HP at the crank. You can get alot more power out of the CR500 motor, but 75 RWHP seems like it would be around 85 or so at the crank. I understand you can get the honda parts cheap. servicehonda.com (maker of the awesome CR500AF-Cr500 in late model CR250 frames) has new, YES NEW, cr500 motors for 3K. Other people have done this in TRX250R frames. I don't know how tough the conversion would be for the CR500, but I imagine vibration would be an issue.

As far as Zilla mods being way more than $1500, I was figuring you already had the inserts. If you wanted to run alcohol, I'd bet you could get a Zilla into the low-mid 80' for around 2K.

There are places that balance cranks and crank/rod/piston combos. I think I may have some contact info, if you need it let me know and I'll look for the info.

 

If you have the info that'd be great. The more people I talk to about this the more I think it's a good route to take.

I'd love to put in a 89 or 90 lt500 motor, but it seems like using what I have may be more reliable than picking up someone's project with who knows what done to it. I'm gathering components for a 87 lt500 rebuild now, but it is probably a year or two to get everything I need. I got 3 kids, college debts, and live in one of the most expensive states there is, for those of you are in the same boat, you understand my situation.

In regards to the CR500 I think that it'll make quite a bit of vibrations, but I have seem them in the dunes, and in fact the last time I went out the fellow in the next camp had the lt500/cr500 combo, and he came back with all his teeth intact. I wish I could have talked to him a little more, but at that time I hadn't even considered going that route. So here I reiterate, if anyone had done a successful conversion let me know, I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks!

 

http://www.crankworks.com/

This is the only place I can think of right now, but they could probably help reduce vibratation somewhat.

 

It would be a waste of a good engine and frame to put the CR engine in a zilla chassis. The zilla's weight and suspension make it far from the first choice for anyone considering a motor swap, unless it's something like a "built" GSXR1000 motor... Then I'd be more worried about keeping it on the ground then weight and suspension... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Get a 250R roller. Sell the Zilla. Whoever puts a KX500 or CR500 motor in a Zilla needs shock therapy. That's like putting a 514 ford in a GTO Judge...

 

I have done motor swaps. I dont feel it is worth it in some cases. I dont see how the CR would put out more than the LT motor. I think if you built up the LT at a good shop(Duncan,LRD,Trinity,etc..), you would be more than happy. I dont care what anyone says, that CR will vibrate(no matter what you do). You will get sick of it, if you go for long rides. And for the weight: The LT500 weighs less(392# stock) than most all of the new 4-strokes +MORE POWER. JMO