Hello I searched on web and this forum. I have a 85 LT and yesterday at the river the rod bearing on crank went out. Well it gone take me a bit of time to fix parts arent that costly but I will be splitting the case in few days. Well I found a NICE 87-88 motor ported and polished etc. I was wondering if this will fit the 85 I am willing to do some frame work but I didnt know if I will have to have a new swing arm etc. Any info appreciated.

 

you can make it fit but you have to cut out the center frame brace for ur front mounts and put in a wishbone one due to the longer head (powervalve) and the exhaust comes out the head in center on 87 and up so it will be in your way then put mounts on your wishbone for the newer motor. thechain will also need 2 links takin out .well did in my case and i tryed but couldnt get my muffler fit had to by one for an 87 and up. i also made mounting brackets for the top mount on the top of head to be safe lot more work then i expected. but i now have an 86 with 90 motor . but i also have my my 87 to copy the frame mods . the g/f loves it . but the swing arm motor mount and bottom motor mount will line up fine .snugem up and go from there . anythings possible look at orange county choppers lmfao

 

Good to hear that. I am not a metal worker myself I fix cars for a living! My bud builds Motorcyle frames and has sworn to help me fit it. I guess I better snag up the other motor then. Would you by chance have any pictures of the setup I could take to my bud? Thanks again!


dp1mat

email hexdecimal64@yahoo.com

 

i can take some this weekend but man the camera sucks,,, fair warning. once u cut the middle pipe out leaving7 1/2 inces coming down from under tank. then cut bottomoff flush and plug the hole.now u can set the motor and 2 bars come up from bottom now matching the width of your frame and curving at very top to create the wish bone when joined with the bottom of the 7 1/2 inc piece still there.then he can make mounts to bolt through the wish bone on both sides to line up with the motor mount hole in motor. if you can write this down and go look at an 1987 or newer u will be questionless ill send u pics soon as i get back from riding my quads are trailored ready to go this weekend. oh if u can find 87-92 mounts for wish bone you will have much better look. good luck

 

A zilla engine will fit in there with less modification.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

now that would rippppppppppppp....would the 86 frame not need reenforcements ...if ya do put a zilla in it i want pics

 

I doubt there is a good running zilla motor around for 350 bucks. The guy who has the 88 lt250r motor has a Raptor motor on his 88 frame. He extended the frame and made it look good. I try get some pics of it soon.

 

oh yeah i forgot when done with mine .the cdi unit went out and i called dealer they are different from 86 to 87 and up but not sure if thats why mine went out replaced with an 87 and up runs fine

 

if you dont buy the motor let me know i will .

 

The zilla motor will set you back more than $350, but considering the amount of work required for the engine swap, the difference in power between the 85-86 motor and the 87 might not be worth it. I think that the biggest improvement in 87 was in the suspension department. Don't get me wrong, the PV engine is much better than the piston port/case reed engine but the zilla engine is a monster.