Terrible motor swap idea kz440

If anyone reads that topic, would you mind giving me your opinion? It's a lot of reading but it also has a lot of valuable information. Do you think I could swap the intake sprocket on my cams to create more clearance at tdc? From what I understood reading that topic, as long as I'm using pistons from an earlier gpz, or in this case a zn550, if I swap the intake sprocket from one of the other kz intake cams onto my zx intake cam, it should create enough clearance...?

bound wrote:

If anyone reads that topic, would you mind giving me your opinion? It's a lot of reading but it also has a lot of valuable information. Do you think I could swap the intake sprocket on my cams to create more clearance at tdc? From what I understood reading that topic, as long as I'm using pistons from an earlier gpz, or in this case a zn550, if I swap the intake sprocket from one of the other kz intake cams onto my zx intake cam, it should create enough clearance...?

 

The best aproach to set PTV clearance would be to slot the stock cam sprocket mount holes, then set the cams up using a degree wheel.

You can also set up the cams without a degree wheel using solder and measuring the squish you get to set up max PTV clearance. If I am not using a degree wheel I take compression readings on the #4 cylinder to see how the adjustments are effecting cranking compression.

I did it! 

Also I bought the cruzin image pistons and ill make them work and maybe do some testing with them.

Don't tell me what to do!!! This is MY project! 

On a serious note... I got the pistons in the mail and they are pretty different. 
I am a little concerned about the difference in valve pocket depth. A rough measurement showed the distance between the original piston valve pockets was 3 mm shorter on the new pistons if that makes sense. Also the dome shape is pretty different. 
What do you guys think? Oh the possibilities..

The easiest solution would be a stock 550 head and cams that the pistons are intended for !

Wookie you were right, i should have listened to your advice more clearly. this is so screwed up. The pistons are actually lower compression pistons and all of this buyers remorse has led me to want to find a different engine that runs. That brought me to scouring for an engine and I found something even "better". I found a 1985 gpz550 for $200 that ran with a title in new York.
It has everything I need and I could sell of the extra stuff (wheels, swingarm, engine parts, handlebars, suspension, etc.). I just want to leave this mess behind me. The only problem is that its 1000 miles away. The total cost for fuel and gas comes down to about $500 there and back. This doesnt include food. All of that is much cheaper and less of a long-term hastle than getting the engine bored out and getting the right cams. What do you guys think? All of this is really tearing at me.

Given how much work there is to do on the rest of the bike, a running motor makes sense. With what you have to sell from both bikes you should be able to cover most of the cost (crank, cases, trans, head, cams, generator, carbs, clutch etc, frame with title)

Not to sound desperate, but that is exactly what I wanted to hear  . I've committed myself to the idea that if it doesn't sell by my spring break, which is in 2 weeks, I will take a trip over there. Then hopefully this whole engine fiasco will be over!

Sounds like a way out of your dilemma.

Sounds like a way out of your dilemma.

I guess its something we have to live with owning these old kaws.

A friend of mine races with a 615cc setup and ZX camshafts. He revs to 12,000 rpm without any problem, with the intake lobes centered at 94°. You still need to do some checks, though. Check the piston-valve clearance. Check the compression ratio. The difference between KZ and ZX cylinder heads, if there is one, isn't that significant. I'm going to do this modification. I have Cruzinimage pistons, ZX and KZ550H cylinder heads, and 280° and 270° camshafts.