Turbo??? Yay or Nay

i am considering doing a turbo set up on the Z1 build but I am not even sure if it is worth the trouble or the mulla. Is there a major HP benefit to turbo over just Big Blocking the 900 motor, also can I use turbo on stock motor or must it be built? Thanks Guys

If you want to build a totally bonkers Z1 then a turbo is absolutely the way to go.  You can make all the power you dare to make once you can force air into the engine.

However, the cost and effort will be very high. There was a time when you could order a full turbo kit and bolt it on.  I don't know of anyone making one currently.  So you're either stuck with a ton of fabrication work or hunting for rare vintage parts.  

It would be much more straight forward to build a big block motor.  Those are all parts you can just call someone and order.  Plus the tuning process for an NA motor is simpler.  

As for bolt on, the '78 Z1R-TC was a bolt on kit for the stock Z1R.  The TC was sold with stock Z1R engine internals.  The lowish compression ratio (8.7:1) and stock cams are actually probably not bad for a turbo setup  The one modification that was recommended for the Z1R-TC engines was to weld the crankshaft.  Of course they didn't actually come that way...

Engine cooling can be a problem in either case (turbo or big block).  But you can get yourself into trouble much faster with a turbo.

Here is a thread with a scratch-built turbo setup:   www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/612980...bo-e85-build?start=0

There’s a turbo kit for a KZ750 on EBay right now. I’m sure with modification it could fit a Z1000, I know for sure the exhaust spacing is different however the kit would be a very good place to start. With enough welding anything will work! 

ID: 234409935746
paste that number into eBay and it will pull up

The magazines back in the day put the 1015cc Z1R-TC at about 130HP @ 8500RPM. To expect that kind of power output from a air cooled KZ motor you still need to do some of the "good" practice motor rebuild aftermarket part upgrades on it you would put into a big block build (HD studs/nuts, weld crank, O ring head gasket)
What you would put into the turbo and plumbing you would spend on cams/valves/porting on the big block build.
A naturally aspirated big block build is usually over 1260cc and you can expect to make over 130HP at that base level. There are limits to the big block on the street plan as there is a point you would be maxed out on power output whereas with the turbo if you have a way of upping the boost pressure you can make more horsepower just by adjusting the tuning parameters.
To match a turbo motors output the big block build would become so wild that it would not be advisable to ride it on the street. The turbo is the more street friendly option as in low RPM riding around it acts much like a stock machine.
It is a known fact that boosted motors have more horsepower potential with less cubic inch displacement.
It just comes down to personal preference on which way to go. If you want to go faster than stock on a KZ its going to cost you in either situation.

There is a 1100cc turbo z1 on ebay now, been listed for several months.
ebay.com/itm/203499778692

well Turbo is way out of my mechanical ability if I must fabricate and I'd rather do a build I can at the least participate in, so I'm thinking big block. My question is how big can I go without adding an oil cooler, I'd prefer not to as I really do not care for the look.

Street Fighter LTD is a turbo guy. I’m surprised he hasn’t posted yet.  
 

I've built several turbo and supercharged motors and am currently building another Z1R turbo.
When adding either, expect to spend a similar amount on the engine as you would when building a big bore motor and then add the cost of the turbo kit on top.
With the turbo you can use stock cams and don't really need much head work so that would offset some of the additional cost of the turbo.
An average 1075cc turbo motor will be capable of anything up to around 250hp at the wheel.
You should also add a billet second gear to the shopping list as the stock one is a known weakspot when subjected to more power and will destroy the gearbox and even split the crankcases when it fails and you should also factor in the cost of a boost retard ignition system too.Dyna 2000 etc.


 

I really think the Turbo aspec t is out of my league, I will look into a big block build, now shoule i keep the 900 motor as is and build a big block from a 1000 motor or doesn't it matter?

wrote:

I really think the Turbo aspec t is out of my league, I will look into a big block build, now shoule i keep the 900 motor as is and build a big block from a 1000 motor or doesn't it matter?

Apart from the bore size the 1000 is pretty much the same engine so it doesn't really matter and both would need the exactly the same work for a big block or larger liners.
 

wrote:

There is a 1100cc turbo z1 on ebay now, been listed for several months.
ebay.com/itm/203499778692

I've been eyeing that bike—and my bank account
For what it is, that doesn't seem like all that crazy a price. Certainly a lot of scratch for a bike that you'd immediately have to tear down the motor, but still...
 

wrote:

Street Fighter LTD is a turbo guy. I’m surprised he hasn’t posted yet.  



Hi All
On vacation in sunny Florida    87 here today  
Just saw this ..
Turbo's rule !!!!!   BUT    No kits new currently being offered
So if you can't find one used or fab your own   no joy..
Remembering these are  antique  bikes  in reality  a smart motor is one that will live a long time and not break parts.
Then build from  there
Dave


PS  Glad Im not home shoveling snow