I'm looking to do some future mods and I found a guy about a couple of hours away from me that has a cult following. He has a stage 1 package that consists of:

- Stage 1 Cylinder Head Porting

-Re Degree Camshafts for Best Power

- Valve Springs adjustment

- Custom Cylinder Head Gasket

- Custom Real World Tune + 1 Free Extra Map

Total Price: $2,150.00

I'd like to get some feedback on this--especially the bang for buck aspect. I've read that some say that the ZX-14R does not gain too much power from a cylinder port job because it is pretty well smooth from the factory. I would think you would gain maybe 10-15 hp and that's a little expensive for the gain. What's your take on this?

* Last updated by: skewedTotheLeft on 12/30/2017 @ 8:16 AM *

I'd love to do it but like everything else that costs big bucks, I'd be more likely togo with the crowd than someone with a small yet strong following. Of course, when the cost is a lot lower and the product might be almost as good, it warrants deep investigation.

I'd compare prices to Carpenter and a couple others that do the same thing. 10-15 hp is worth it. That's what you might get with a good full system and that might cost you close to the same. I'm not sure you will feel 10-15 hp but if you want all you can get....

If you just want an occasional kick in the pants, a dry nitrous kit could get you 30, 40, 50 ..maybe even 70 hp for about half the cost and that you will feel.

Personally I'd like to do all of the above.

- Stage 1 Cylinder Head Porting: Hog it out and the bernoulli effect kicks in. Said another way, big ports are going to slow down the intake draw because the volume fills the hogging before it enters the chamber thus slowing the flow. So you want more of a cleaning rather than take material out.

-Re Degree Camshafts for Best Power: Takes years of manipulation rather than reading a cam card and dial in those numbers as per manufacturer's call. So best power might call for a certain (cough) of where the valve is to the piston.

- Valve Springs adjustment: This gets somewhat dangerous where too much pressure will flatten the cam lobes. So ask what (pressure) number it is and we can tell if that's way too much for the application.

- Custom Cylinder Head Gasket: Sometimes those aftermarket gaskets take a bunch of retorquing so the leaks stop.

- Custom Real World Tune + 1 Free Extra Map: This is where the bike is on the dyno and the map is made for that engine configuration... or at least where the tune is AFR wise>>> up and down the power band.

I'm looking to do some future mods and I found a guy about a couple of hours away from me that has a cult following.

I've read that some say that the ZX-14R does not gain too much power from a cylinder port job because it is pretty well smooth from the factory. I would think you would gain maybe 10-15 hp and that's way too expensive for such a small gain. What's your take on this?

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The stock ZX14 head is very efficient. But be that as it may, there is power to be gain porting heads. That being said, not all cylinder heads work the same, and bigger ports is not always better.

Years ago, heads were ported by hand and tested on a flow bench, that is no longer the case. When dealing with port and valve seat designs you want someone who knows what they are doing, and have the proper equipment.

The tuner needs to be an experienced person who knows how to extract engine power, knows how to improve peak power while not sacrificing low and mid power. And depending on your goals, tries to maintain reliability.

My suggestion is to contact Jim at Competition CNC, you will not be dissapointed.

[quote]Years ago, heads were ported by hand and tested on a flow bench, that is no longer the case./quote]

Years ago heads weren't mass produced to the same standards they are today. Modern techniques with CNC technologies and precision computer controlled robotic assembly lines turn out finished items with a quality that could only be dreamt of back in 'the day'. JMO

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 12/30/2017 @ 5:10 AM *

I bought a used turbo system 3 years ago for $2000 shipped. Garrett ball bearing no issues. I put more money into fuel lines, methanol, fuel pressure regulator. For street application with 4 psi boost will yield about 260 hp and you dont need methanol or engine work. You can piece together a turbo for a lot less. Psychobike has classified section, where you can find parts. Header is probably most expensive component.
Do I need turbo - no. It was an itch I needed to scratch and it is still a thrill every ride.

* Last updated by: knovikov on 12/30/2017 @ 6:54 AM *

Go turbo!

I'm guessing you must be rikstick?

http://zx1441r.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3461&sid=0a911b0d13ed0d0f32aceb03908605f9

Ace Performance is not exactly an underground operation. I'd trust him based on the input at 1441r,com. Obviously, there are ways to get a lot more of what you want for the same price but if you're into engine work, it might be worth a try.

I am a little skeptical that another 10-15 hp is going to add 12 mph to your top speed. That, I might expect from another 60 to 70 hp. I'm not calling the guy a liar but maybe he had better conditions on the day he first ran his stage one kit.

TO me, if this is the 1st step down the slippery slope of more power and a complete race engine is in your future I would do it, as a start. I would have a complete plan laid out with the race shop.

Why are you doing this?

I'm guessing you must be rikstick?

Why are you doing this?

I've been researching the guy who owns Aceperformance (Sal) and I have found evidence from more than one source that he is a speed record holder in different categories and he built the bikes that he rode.
Here's a link of a couple of records that he set: Sal Spatafora

* Last updated by: skewedTotheLeft on 12/30/2017 @ 1:05 PM *

I also found this thread from this site: Ace Performance thread

if this is the 1st step down the slippery slope of more power and a complete race engine is in your future I would do it,

This could be something to you like nitrous is to me--it's just fascinating! I totally agree and that's a great reason to do it! I would do it with a view of how it will fit with your boosted future as rudy so eloquently said.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/30/2017 @ 8:24 PM *

I'm the one that started both the threads you read on the two sites and as I have said before this is an awesome amount of change to the stock bike. If yo read my posts carefully you will see that my bike has spiegler bars and I run mirrors at all times. If you eliminate those two items and strap the bike down you could probably see another 3mph or more considering that because of the bars and my not being able bend my 73yr old back enough to get out of the wind. Being so close to Sal you could bring the bike to him and have him do the "actual" Real World Tune with your particular bike for the most precise tune for your set up. Time to kick some serious ass including the newest gen ZX10 Rs