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engine swap?

53K views 24 replies 10 participants last post by  DannoXYZ  
#1 ·
hello,
has anyone here tried swapping their 750cc engine for something bigger in their honda shadow? Not sure if it can be done but just trying to learn.
thanks
eric
 
#7 ·
thanks for the repiles....and to answer your question as to why? Well, I have a huge sentimental value to my bike and want more power to pass the logging trucks where i bike.
Most of my riding is done on the highway and with my wife on the back I would just like a bit more juice than the 750 can provide me.
eric
 
#9 · (Edited)
:confused:

The whole driveline is different on the VT1100 so I think it would be far more expensive to attempt an engine swap than a trade upgrade. If your set on owning the same bike, look for a VT1100 A.C.E. of the same year. They look almost identical except for the items to accomodate the larger engine and additional weight.
:confused:

Here's an idea, give the 750 to your wife and buy a larger shadow for yourself. Make it a suprise early birthday, anniversary, or Christmas gift, she will love you for it. Huge brownie points!!

Post some comments on other threads, get involved in the forum and get that post count up. Then post some pics of your ride..
 
#10 ·
hate to bring back an old post but the question was never really answered and now i am thinking about putting a bigger twin in mine. it is a '00 ace 750 too.

As for the why not buy something else, i have the bike customized with too many parts to start over again. i just got it set up how i want it and now want more power! and advice is greatly appreciated!
 
#11 ·
Ok, as an ACE owner who CRAVES Magna power levels... I can tell you what the potions are.

I own a 1998 750ACE. Stock at the crank is 36hp. Thats not a whole lot. My bike is pushing out about 50 at the wheel now.

To get the increase in power, I changed the needles in the carb to the ones that come with the Stage I jet kit from Dynojet. Then I put 122/126 main jets in and set the idle mixture screws out 3 1/2 turns. The pipes are straight pipes running unwrapped baffles and the intake box has the airhorn totally removed and a K&N filter installed. Lastly, removed the right side engine case and advanced the ignition timing 5 degrees.

To get more power, I shall order some longer lightweight rods, 11:1 JE SRP Professional pistons fitted with Total Seal gapless rings. New cams with a few deg more duration and about .010 more lift, some mild porting, larger jets, Kuryakyn Hypercharger with the stinger trapdoor, and a freer flowing baffle also will be installed. Lastly, I will have a Dyna 3000 ignition box which will allow me to raise the rev limit from the stock 5700 to 7000rpm.

I predict I should be getting almost 70hp at the rear wheel by the time I am done.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Hey EQ23,,, I am a newbie here as well, but have been involved with all kinds of swaps in cars, trucks, go kart buggies, and bikes. Right now, I am considering putting a Yammie 750 triple in a Kawasaki Mule that had a little 286 in it. It's my experience that you can do pretty much what you WANT, KNOW and CAN AFFORD to do with all things mechanical. You need to have a cutting torch, a good grinder, a good mig welder and know how to read wiring diagrams,,,,and know how to use all of the above.
When you start thinking about an engine swap,,,you need to consider the electronics that the new engine will require to run. Most generally, The electronics are specific to the engine AND the wiring harness. I other words, the CDI's are not all interchangable mostly due to the wiring connections etc,etc. Same for the charging systems etc,etc.
Not trying to scare you off Guy, but you need to be aware that all is not just changing engines. When you go from a 750 to a 1100, I'd almost bet the CDI's will be different and prolly the connections as well. BUT,,,,BUT all is not lost,,,,,,
You can get your cutting torch,grinders, and welder and shoehorn that 1100 in your frame,,,then transfer the entire wiring harness and all the components from the donor bike,,and,,,,,,,,start riding like you wanted to.
 
#16 ·
Having sold bikes full and part time from 1983-2006, I've been around a few of them and can tell you this...

Most frames and peripheral equipment is engineered for the one engine design in that frame. The few exceptions over the years were in Harley and some BMW designs. The Japanese are and always have been notorious for incompatability from model to model with very VERY few exceptions.

In other words, you're kind of stuck with the engine design you have unless you're skillful with torches and an electronic wizard.
 
#17 · (Edited)
Hey Markk53,,,Thanks for insinuating that I am an electronic genius,,,,Ha, Actually,I have always had a knack for figuring out 12 volt electrical systems, and they are not really that complicated especially so in this day and age of availability of wiring schematics. Back when I was 17 years old, I installed a 389 Pontiac engine out of a 1959 Bonneville into a 1955 Chevy and tore up the streets for a year or two,,,.Most current projects for my Grandkids was installing a 1980 Hondamatic 450 into a 2006 Carter Brothers dune buggy. The electrical was not too bad as I just transferred, cut,added spliced in the Carter connections to the Honda electrical components. Currently working on installing a Yamaha 750 triple into a 2000 Kawasaki Mule, reckon it will move on,,??
Anyway , I'm not trying to kill Eg23's passion for building what he feels he wants,, was only trying to let him see that it is not as easy as it might seem to just " change out engines". American ingenuity is what has contributed to making the USA great because there are some of us that are never completely satisfied with the status quo and take steps to improve things to make em better,,,meaning faster,,!!
I certainly do not want to step on any toes here as I fully understand that there are those owners that love their machines as they are and would never consider modifying them for any reason,,,and that is just OK by me and I respect those wishes.
Just love your avatar,,,,,,,reminds me of "Smoky's Garage" Joe r
 
#18 ·
The avitar was a design I did to kind of honor my father for letting me screw around in his garage for the past 45 years. I still have a bike up there in pieces. It's just a residential garage, nothing more... but I had some stickers made up for family and friends and it will eventually be on my street/tracker fuel tank.

You sound like an old school hot rodder. I once had bought a Bonneville to take the engine/Turbohydromatic 4 sp into a 49 Ford truck I had, but I didn't have the kind of cash to do the job. Ended up selling the truck and buying a Bultaco Sherpa S 175 short tracker.

It's hard to explain to some that bikes aren't like cars. They just don't have some cavernous space to stick whatever engine in it. If they did, frames would all be huge with gobs of wasted space that isn't hidden by a hood and fenders.
 
#19 ·
Thats a good point, you wouldn't want your bike to look qrotesque(sp) because you stuffed a huge Goldwing engine into something that had a midsize engine. Bikes ARE different in that respect. An engine bay stuffed full of your favorite V8,V10 or maybe even a huge Allison would be a heck of a boost to the troops, but a cycle with a huge,,,it better be balanced,,,cause the physics of a 2 wheeler in motion may be a tad different trying to make a corner. I would really like to read some threads of some bike builds that did some engine swaps. Would be interesting.
All my engine swaps have been done with Safety first in mind although the 4 wheel builds are different from a standpoint of balance. And yeah, I am an old school Hot Rodder with too many projects and they keep me busy, I'll tell you for sure.
Another of my ongoing projects is restoring a 1955 Chevy Belair Hardtop. I am building ala 1950's gasser with a straight axle from a 32 Ford, 58 Buick aluminum brake hubs, 58 T-Bird 9" rear ( rounded) and,,,,and,,,,LAMBO DOORS,,,!!! I built a 406 small block with Tunnel Ram and 2 660s that dyno'ed643 HP. Ought to be a good "wow" going down the street,,huh? It's almost ready for paint and then put it all back together and gp for a ride down main St.
I don't have a clue what the 1100's look like that Eg23 is interested in swapping into his bike but that would be MY determining factor if I did a build such as this. What is the bike gonna look like after the build,,,? If it is not too terribly BIG,,,,then I say go for it,,,.
 
#20 ·
Your projects just sound too interesting. The kind of stuff we see at the Goodguys Show here in Columbus at the state fair grounds... coming up here in July.

As for that engine, think about trying to wedge a small block in a Volkswagen engine compartment. That's a good comparison. The room just isn't there. The 750 frame was built around the 750 engine, which is significantly shorter both in height and length. To swap out just won't work without stupid time in cutting/welding/modifying. It would be both easier and cheaper in the long run to sell (or even give away) the 750 and buy and 1100.
 
#21 ·
It would be both easier and cheaper in the long run to sell (or even give away) the 750 and buy and 1100.
For some people, the smaller 750 just fits better. (like me)
If he is like me, and prefers a smaller sized bike (but wants more power) then another route, instead of choosing an 1100 Shadow, would be for something along the lines of a 750 Nighthawk or Magna.

I really like the Magna personally, it feels a lot like a Shadow that has been pumping steroids while snorting meth... hehehee
 
#25 ·
Problem with swaps is where does it end? After swapping in 1100 engine and riding it a while, you’ll get used to it and want something more. Best to go straight to final solution: Chevy V8!!

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