I am thinking about turbo charging my 1987 YAMAHA big bear 350 and I am wondering if it's possible or hard
Would it be a lot of work to put it in and how much would it increase my power of I put in a small turbo?
Any advise will be greatly appreciated

 

Anything is possible. But by the time you do this, you'll have spent enough to just buy three or four newer, more powerful quads to begin with.

If it works on the first try.

The big question is, why?

 

I'm sure it could be done but as Scootergptx just said, it would be cheaper to buy something else. It would still ride, handle and stop like a 1987 Big Bear. Probably would kill the engine anyway even if you could get it work. Keep your machine stock and it will run better and last longer. If you want something with more power, I'd sell the Big Bear and buy something like a Grizzly 660. Its a great older quad with plenty of power but not as expensive as some of the newer quads.

 

I have put turbos on a few honda 3 wheelers, yes you can do it cheap but its really not what you expect.

Single cylinder with turbo = turbo lag
The power threw the gears = only slightly quicker
Just because you have a turbo does not mean your top speed will be higher
Reliability not as trust worthy

yes all of above can be over came but not in a cheap turbo build, custom tuning, gearing changes ect....

You can do what you want but like everyone else is going to tell you buy a bigger 4 wheeler

 

I am in the majority here. These old war horses are pretty low tech motor wise. Mods just aren't going to be a very good bang per buck. There are a few 500/600 class motors made in the last 8 years that will smoke that old 350 stock. Heck, find an old Prarie 650 and it will feel turbo charged in comparison.

 

In the last 8 years? When has a 500/600 never smoked a 350 even not stock other then the 350 Banshee?

I had a 1989 350 Big bear and its speed limit is due to it,s low gearing not motor. It screams in top 5th gear at 45mph. Even if it had a 600 in it the motor will scream at 45mph because its geared like a tractor.

The old 350 Wolverine had the same motor yet it could easily hit well over 50mph due to its taller gearing.

 

I meant to write that a recent vintage 500/600 would smoke the turbo big bear. You know, as in it would be more cost effective to just get a bigger and newer machine. Those old 350 Yamaha motors are beautiful for their longevity, but were never meant to be powerhouses.