KWS Engine Build Reliability : Yamaha R1 Forum

a216vcti · 11-08-2012, 07:14 AM

Sorry if this has been discussed before:

I have a 2008 R1 with approximately 10k on the clock and am looking to rebuild the engine. I was thinking of doing the oversized pistons, connecting rods, cams, KWS head and flashtune. There's a local shop that wants to build the bike by sending the head to KWS for the port job and then sending the block to millenium to bore the block. I was even thinking about building the engine myself and sending the block to millenium for the bore and the head to KWS to be CNC'd. My brother has a automotive performance shop and builds high horsepower cars, so I would have his knowledge and tooling to help with the build.

Has anyone have any experience with the KWS engine builds?

Would I see a bigger difference in reliability if KWS built the bike vs. the local shop vs. building the engine myself?

How many miles should I expect to get out of the rebuilt engine?

Are there many specialty tools that I would need to build the bike?

HardRacing · 11-08-2012, 07:37 AM

We know several guys that Kevin and the KWS crew have built engines for. Even going way back to the early to mid 90's and a big ole 1050 kit in a CBR900. Most are WERA / CCS guys and have raced their bikes ...and some are street bikes now, still going strong. Not sure of mileage, but nothing but good words concerning KWS here..

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a216vcti · 11-08-2012, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardRacing

We know several guys that Kevin and the KWS crew have built engines for. Even going way back to the early to mid 90's and a big ole 1050 kit in a CBR900. Most are WERA / CCS guys and have raced their bikes ...and some are street bikes now, still going strong. Not sure of mileage, but nothing but good words concerning KWS here..

.

Good to hear. Thanks for the input.

gsxcorey · 11-09-2012, 10:34 PM

kws makes great stuff. Only of the very few shops in the US I would let build me a block. You'll be happy with their work

a216vcti · 11-11-2012, 02:44 PM

Do you guys think i would run into overheating issues if I bored the block? Would I need to upgrade the radiator?

TheForumGay · 11-11-2012, 03:39 PM

Yes you'll need to upgrade. I would be dumb not to reguardless

a216vcti · 11-11-2012, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the response, gearhead. Would you have a manufacturer recommendation?

hawaiian808 · 11-11-2012, 04:27 PM

the stage one for the bmw is nice and tempting

fjorn · 11-11-2012, 04:31 PM

Out of curiosity, what's the compelling reason to rebuild? Specific engine problem, or just want to?

a216vcti · 11-11-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjorn

Out of curiosity, what's the compelling reason to rebuild? Specific engine problem, or just want to?

Rather than buy a bmw, i'd rather rebuild my engine.

***Aron213 ti*** · 11-11-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a216vcti

Rather than buy a bmw, i'd rather rebuild my engine.

so another words, you want more hp

a216vcti · 11-11-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aron213 ti

so another words, you want more hp

Yes, those are another words. :-)

a216vcti · 11-11-2012, 06:01 PM

Anyone have any thoughts on this radiator?

http://www.h2o-performance.com/en/pr...&category_id=3

gsxcorey · 11-11-2012, 08:39 PM

If you want power to "keep up" with the new bikes I wouldn't recommend rebuilding it. I've done it and you'll pay a good 5-7k for a great engine build which half the cost of a new bike. While it may get you close to the new bikes, the next one out will surely beat your bike even with the build and 2-3 years later you'll be in the same boat now. Best to actually upgrade if you want the bike with the most power. Just my .02, but like what you have or if you're the type who needs to the latest then get it instead of trying to redo what you have to get there as it's more costly in the long haul.

nossliw · 11-12-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearheaded

Yes you'll need to upgrade. I would be dumb not to reguardless

U ever figure out the cooling issue? Forgot to ask and how was Daytona?

sircharles1 · 11-12-2012, 05:19 PM

i'm wondering what the main use for the bike is?

street
strip
track

a216vcti · 11-13-2012, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sircharles1

i'm wondering what the main use for the bike is?

street
strip
track

Street and maybe a track day or two, but mostly street.

sircharles1 · 11-13-2012, 06:41 AM

Now believe me when i say im all for engine builds... hehe... but imma have to agree with corey on this one... get u a BMW, put a Brock's pipe on it and call it a day... it would be a different story if u was gonna spend alot more time at the track (or actually have some real fun at a drag strip), but since ur gonna be on the street... any '08 1000 has plenty of power for riding on the street... if u wanna be quicker then do a gearing change

But if ur dead set on doing it... i say let KWS do their thing with it... and not one person do this and another do that and another do something else... to many hands on it

a216vcti · 11-13-2012, 06:57 AM

The thing is, i would have to drop $10k more to get a bmw rather that just spend $6k and run with the bmws.

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gsxcorey · 11-13-2012, 07:12 AM

I douvbt you will run with the bmws is thing thing. The electronics, chassis, etc you still won't have. You'll probably be close and MAYBE be with them, but they will still probably beat you unless you do traction control, quickshifter, etc. You're chasing something and about to pay much more and probably not even get there, just close. Also remember with the bmw you'll have a warranty and going this route you'll lose reliability and have no warranty. there is a chance in a year or two you'll need to rebuild it again.