How much trouble was this to install and was it worth it on a stock piped and jetted Raptor? How long does it take? Do you need a press or any special tools?

 

Thanks for the reply! Did you try the Hotcam? Does the motor hit any harder? Can you hear the cam? Will it help a little on top? We are presently running 8:40's in the eigth mile on pavement and want a sneaky little something extra. We have beaten a many of built Raptors. Just a lucky combination we have. Sparks X6 pipe,Advance key,Pro Design intake,Dynojet,air box lid off,15/39 gearing for pavement,lowered,cut fenders,stripped!, and slicks. Its VERY fast for stock. I know when I put a cam in my 400ex with just piping and jetting it made a HUGE difference. A couple of hp and two tengths.
The valve lash sounds like a lot! .008 and .010. You will hear that I am sure.
Thanks again!'
Shock

 

EASY, EASY swap. I just did it and tried to make it more complicated than it was. If I was going to just switch cams I would try it in the frame. Is that possible? There are enough people on here that have them and have always said thet they loved them.

 

Ive changed 400exs, how much harder is it on the Raptor? They say the decompression mechanism is a pain in the butt!

 

No its not really hard, just make sure that you don't lose any of it, remember the pin is spring loaded. Also Hot Cams had some cams that the stock pin wouldn't work in. I think they have gotten it straightened out now but check to make sure.

 

Does everyone really use the .008 and .010 that Hot Cams recommends? Thats a lot of lash! .005 is a plenty of lash for anything! Isnt it noisy? and I think it will wear the rockers and cam out at that setting. Whats everyone else doing?

 

Easy to install if you leave the chain around the wheel when taking off old cam, then you don't need to realign it on wheel, the new one takes a little wiggling this way.
I installed the Stage I Hotcam with 11:1 stock sized piston & I got mid-top end gain, feels like I can drop one tooth on sprocket.
The new sound is different & nice! Power increase is noticeable too!

I tried using the .008 & .010 valve clearence & it was too loose, vavles were a tapping, directions say ok to use stock to a little looser so I used .006 & .008, much better now, no tapping. They tend to recommend it loose for better break in but once its broke in I would adjust them. Just remember, too tight may be more powerful but is risky since it increases chance of burning valves!

 

Shockwave,

When did you purchase this cam? What month. Did it come with a new decompressor pin? Or did you re use the old one?

 

Installed last night. I had the timing off at first and freaked when turning it over and it stopped! Piston hitting valve! BE SURE TO TURN OVER BY HAND BEFORE YOU CRANK!
I rechecked TDC and compression stroke and caught it. Dissassembling again sucks with no gasket and wet silicone! Thanks Yamaha! lol Its real easy to let the piston move from TDC and get off. With the advance key, you cant go by the TDC factory mark anymore. You have to get on compression cycle and put something in the cylinder to find TDC. I think the timing chain slop got me with the Tensioner loose. I didnt go with .008 and .010 either. I went .006 and .008 , How about the rest of you? What lash? I also have the Curtis Sparks advance key. I wonder if that is helping or hurting? Anyone else using it in conjunction with the cam? Reving seems a little sluggish but I may have picked up a little mid and top. I aslo used the old decompression pin . They sent a new one but I forgot to use it. No problems cranking. I just wonder about the advance key.
Thanks guys!
Shock [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Shockwave,

STOP!

Take it apart and put in the pin they sent or you will grenade your valves. I was the beggining of a nightmare for Hotcams and the answer was the new pin they shipped. The seat depth of their cams is less than stock, combined with oil pressure and sizes of the holes in the cam oil holes will result in the pin being pushed out under hard excelleration and your rocker foot will hit the pin and damage will occur. Its just a problem with the latest batch and the new pin is the cure. Once apart, look at the base of the stock pin vs the hotcam pin.

Do yourself a favor and read this thread.

Raptor Decompression Pin