What's the ONE best internal engine mod?

Ok here's another one for you guys to argue about :laugh:

While I've got my 78 KZ1000 apart, I may just decide to splurge and buy ONE internal engine hop up item with my tax refund.

What do you think is the most cost effective? The most bang for the buck? Cams? Pistons? Porting? I can only pick ONE so don't give me a long list...

The bike has BS34s, Dyna ignition, and Sidewinder drag pipe. All else is stock.

The Dyna is the really basic model that's completely inside the right engine cover. The coils are stock. I've always been a bit skeptical that performance coils really do much, but feel free to tell my why I'm wrong.

So which ONE would you pick?

Nelson wrote:

...78 KZ1000...most cost effective? The most bang for the buck? Cams? Pistons? Porting? I can only pick ONE so don't give me a long list....

No substitute for displacement . . . except a nitrous kit.

Good Fortune!

I think the saying is "no replacement for displacement"

If pistons/rings still good....

Head mod w/1+ on the valves w/P&P (increased flow) and Performance cams... Ah hell, throw in some CR-29mm.... yeah that be the ticket...

Wake that old girl right up...

Engines are just airpumps.....get some headwork done and help it breath

Nelson wrote:

Ok here's another one for you guys to argue about :laugh:

While I've got my 78 KZ1000 apart, I may just decide to splurge and buy ONE internal engine hop up item with my tax refund.

What do you think is the most cost effective? The most bang for the buck? Cams? Pistons? Porting? I can only pick ONE so don't give me a long list...

The bike has BS34s, Dyna ignition, and Sidewinder drag pipe. All else is stock.

The Dyna is the really basic model that's completely inside the right engine cover. The coils are stock. I've always been a bit skeptical that performance coils really do much, but feel free to tell my why I'm wrong.

So which ONE would you pick?

Smash the BS34's with a great big hammer and buy some real carbs :laugh: .....there, that ought to get a rise out of some people this morning :woohoo:

Bore it to 1075. Anything you add after that is icing on the cake

Getting a bigger bore sounds good to me too. Just wondering if a stronger crank wouldn't be needed as well then?!?

You need to think about how you ride the bike.

How many miles are on the engine? My answer will change significantly based on this answer...

Each modification can bring benefit, but in some cases cons too. If this were a commuter bike you'd get a different answer than if it's ridden hard.

Most big bore kits generate extra heat, and require higher octane fuel (more expensive). If you commute in hotter temperatures I'd tell you to steer clear of a 10.25:1 piston kit.

If you plan on just riding on the weekends and having some fun, the big-bore kit is good. I'd probably start with HD cylinder studs and the piston kit. You then have the option in the future to rework the head - either porting it, or just dropping some mild street cams in.

If you are tearing the engine down completely, I would start with the fundamentals - a new Tsubaki cam chain and HD studs - possibly new idler sprockets, cam chain guide, etc. They are more important than the big-bore kit.

I would go with a 1075 kit. You can feel the diffrence. Guaranteed. Roy

Wow this one is popular! Thanks. It will be mostly a ride on the weekends type of bike. Sometimes pretty hot here in Sac, but I won't be sitting in stop and go traffic a lot. The ODO says 36,000 but who can say for sure if that's correct. I plan to do all the needed stuff to make it reliable as top priority, then perhaps the one mod as well.

Yes I think the cam chain, studs and rollers is a good idea.

Nelson wrote:

So which ONE would you pick?

I would have to pick this Mod... Period. And than qualify it with quite a few of these..

You catch my drift? You catch my Tokyo Drift?

X2 simple/reasonable size- big bore and some strength parts to match the kit...not too heavy pop up pistons and maybe redo the timing chain and wear items....

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

You need to think about how you ride the bike.

How many miles are on the engine? My answer will change significantly based on this answer...

Each modification can bring benefit, but in some cases cons too. If this were a commuter bike you'd get a different answer than if it's ridden hard.

Most big bore kits generate extra heat, and require higher octane fuel (more expensive). If you commute in hotter temperatures I'd tell you to steer clear of a 10.25:1 piston kit.

If you plan on just riding on the weekends and having some fun, the big-bore kit is good. I'd probably start with HD cylinder studs and the piston kit. You then have the option in the future to rework the head - either porting it, or just dropping some mild street cams in.

If you are tearing the engine down completely, I would start with the fundamentals - a new Tsubaki cam chain and HD studs - possibly new idler sprockets, cam chain guide, etc. They are more important than the big-bore kit.