muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
|
posted November 13, 2006 09:24 PM
NEW ZX12R OWNER NEEDS PERFORMANCE MODS ADVISE
I am the proud owner of a new 2005 ZX-12R. I would like some imput from other 12 owners as to what minor modifications I can make to improve the perfomance (HP) of the bike. I am considering an aftermarket exhaust system, but I don't want the bike to sound like an airplane. I kind of like the mellow, deep, tone of the stock exhaust, but I realize any performance exhaust system will increase the noise level. I have read on other forums that one can remove the cat and do some minor modifications to the stock muffler resulting in a resonalble HP gain. Is this true? Also, I have read on other foums that the stock engine computer actually runs the engine a bit rich, rather than lean. Is this true? I would like to avoid the cost of a Power Commander if at all possible. Will I need to install one and have the bike Dynoed if I make any exhaust modifications?
I ride the bike on the street and am not much of a corner burner. I like straight line acceleration, which the bike in it's present form seems to be good at. But like most folks, I am a HP junkie. Any help you folks can give will be greatly appreciated.
  
|
KingKwik
Expert Class
9.36@ 149.23
Posts: 142
|
posted November 14, 2006 05:14 AM
I'd like to have the same questions answered. I just got a 2004 12 and am looking to do the same thing. I've been dragracing for 10 yrs now,(just weekend play stuff street class). I usually remove the muffler and just run straight pipe. I already removed the cat and haven't tried it yet to see if there is a difference. Wondering if I need a pcIII since I removed it? Im hearing about block off plates for the exhaust, does this help and what should I expect... I herd I should go to an aluminum fan... why?.... just looking for the simple mods. Not going to get into the expensive ones.
Also wondering what changes they made in 2004. Most things I see posted for my bike are for earlier models and for ones 2003-2003, not 04's or 05's... wondering wehat the difference is here.
LOVE THE SITE AND i REALLY APPRECIATE THE ADVICE.......
____________
If it has wheels or tits its bound to be trouble!!
|
supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
|
posted November 14, 2006 08:24 AM
If you want some substantial horsepower remove the stock exhaust and put on an AKRAPOVIC or BROCK STREET MEG. Go with the BMC race air filter, get a MUZZYS adjustable ignition advance rotor. These mods will give you at least 20 RWHP.
After that you can put on a thin head gasket, and change the cam timing to 105/100 or 105/103. These mods will give you at least 6 RWHP.
So if your starting at about 162 STD this will put you at around 188-190 RWHP
or about 178-180 horsepower SAE
supra
|
VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
|
posted November 14, 2006 08:28 AM
 Edited By: VincentHill on 14 Nov 2006 08:31
To get the most out, you must change to a full exhaust and use a PC3. The quietest Exhaust "Seem" to be Akrapovich and Hindle (Brock a SIte Supporter sells a Package that includes the Well tuned PC3 for his version of the Hindle and has excellent Customer Service) The Most Beautiful is ARATA. Also you may want to get a set of BMC (Either Race or Street) Air FIlters, not so much for power or speed but they clean the air a LOT better than the Stock and keep the dirt out of the Air Box!
Anything else will not give you a large return on the Dollar!
|
supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
|
posted November 14, 2006 08:32 AM
The 04-05 models don't have a speed de limiter made for them yet. The 04-05 also have
larger injectors 390cc per minute and radial mount brakes. Bottom line you probably have the best overall years.
The bikes love ignition. If you are drag racing I would recommend Mikes rev limit mod, and changing your gearing to 17/46
or for the ecu you can just play around on the board. there is a WEALTH of info here. Many on the board here are the Encyclopedia of the ZX12R...
|
KingKwik
Expert Class
9.36@ 149.23
Posts: 142
|
posted November 14, 2006 11:13 AM
what is Mikes rev limit mod??
____________
If it has wheels or tits its bound to be trouble!!
|
VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
|
posted November 14, 2006 11:27 AM
Supra I do not quite agree. The 04 & 05 are the Most "Refined" bikes is closer to it! In other words, Kawasaki has taken all of the Kawasaki out of them and they are as close to a ZX12R Honda they could make. Sort of like a ZX14 in ZX12R cloths. All sorts of limiters to keep you from Hurting yourself. Possible the most Lawyer friendly 12 made. Because they stopped making them after they did this no one in the aftermarket cares either. So no one has de-restricted them, Bottom line.
I have a 2000 when Kawasaki was still looking forward for top speed but knew the days were numbered. No real limiters on the bike that cannot be over come. These are the ones that have gone over 220 MPH
|
muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
|
posted November 14, 2006 02:17 PM
Tell me about the ignition advance mods. Supra said an ignition rotor from Muzzy's??? I thought the coils were fired by the ECU??? Also, with the Acrapovic full exhaust would I need to install a Power Commander?
How would an Acrapovic bolt on muffler work vs a full system. The stock header looks to be equal length and quite well built, for a stock street motor. I would think one would want to go with larger diameter header primary tubing only if you increase cubic inches and run the engine at full RPM's most of the time. At least that is the train of thought in car engines, which is where I get my expeiance from.
|
stef12rr
Expert Class
Posts: 144
|
posted November 15, 2006 06:30 PM
muleskinner
félicitation i got a 2004! change your front disque brake the front wheel will lose 3 to 4 lbs and in the spec. kawa said 320mm dia they are full of ch because the dia is 300mm. and on trac day if you go to fast you will experiment a funny feeling like you won make the next curve ;o)
this winter i going to put a 1287 cc planty of HP
acrapovic will be better then a muzzy for sound , i should bought acra. no body is perfect
nice bike i love it.
|
blitzkrieg
Needs a job
Road kill = Free lunch.
Posts: 2044
|
posted November 15, 2006 07:39 PM
The stock exhaust is a pig. I.e: It weighs a ton.
You'll not only gain HP by going with a quality aftermarket exhaust (Akrapovic die hard here) you'll gain free HP by losing weight. An added bonus is the bike will handle better.
____________
"BTW....You need to get a girlfriend who's last name isn't .jpg"
|
VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
|
posted November 15, 2006 08:41 PM
quote:
The stock exhaust is a pig. I.e: It weighs a ton.
You'll not only gain HP by going with a quality aftermarket exhaust (Akrapovic die hard here) you'll gain free HP by losing weight. An added bonus is the bike will handle better.
AGreed
____________
Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
|
BADBOYINDC
Novice Class
2007 ZX14 Black
Posts: 82
|
posted November 16, 2006 07:02 AM
the best mod for the 12 is to change your sprockes 17/48 and muzzy exhaust i lik the sound muzzy put off i have my noz to make power if i need it on the street there is no bike going to f&&k with the zx12r for sure
____________
Brock exhust 16/45 sprockets,
Nos, Mactosh arm 8inches over
Powercammander ajustable lowering links airshifter all the good shit Crome Rc wheels
LET IT DO WHAT IT GOING TO DO
|
muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
|
posted November 16, 2006 06:38 PM
MODS
Well I wanted to do something to get started. So I took the cat off, cut three inches off of the header pipe where the cat was in the pipe, took the flat perforated screen off that is in the first chamber where the header pipe goes into the muffler and then drilled five more 1/2" holes in the first baffle to let the muffler flow a bit more.
The exhaust sounds just a tad louder now. As far as any performance gain, now from a slow first gear roll, the bike pulls the front wheel off of the ground about eight inches all the way through first and second. That is with me laying over the tank. Before the bike would not pull the front tire off of the ground on a slow first gear roll on. It would only raise the front of the bike to the upper suspension limit.
So doing the simple mods to the exhaust must have produced an increase in torque or HP. I understand nothing like an aftermarket exhaust system, but for now it has helped. And it was FREE!
|
muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
|
posted November 16, 2006 06:41 PM
quote:
the best mod for the 12 is to change your sprockes 17/48 and muzzy exhaust i lik the sound muzzy put off i have my noz to make power if i need it on the street there is no bike going to f&&k with the zx12r for sure
I think rather than changing the sprockets, I will replace the rear tire with a 190 series tire when the original one wears out. I have read a lot of post regarding that mod. Folks say the bike runs and handles way better with a 190 rear tire. Any thoughts?
|
supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
|
posted November 16, 2006 07:40 PM
Ok dude. Five 0 and Y2k have dynoed 6-8 rwhp by advancing the ignition timing
2.5
to 5 degrees. depending on your bike and your bikes cam timing. On a stock
bike a pc3 usually gives 3 rwhp. do you NEED a powercommander with an
akrapovic pipe no.
To Vince None of the 12's we own are as raw as they were intended to be.
As my dyno chart showed 176rwhp sae with a less restricted s
tock exhaust
and probably ecu.
someone I think mike does a rev limit mod for 200.00. I over paid
through superbike mike 600.00 NEVER AGAIN
|
muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
|
posted November 16, 2006 08:14 PM
ROTOR
So what is intailed in installing the Muzzy ignition rotor?
|
shiphteey
Needs a job
Posts: 2529
|
posted November 16, 2006 08:47 PM
Best mods are the "best bang for the buck mods". If you don't think you need 190+ mph capabilities a 17 tooth sprocket will give you some more thrust and they are cheap considering the gains.
When the money is there go with an exhuast. If it was me I would do a pipe, race filter power commander and custom mapping. But some go with just the pipe for starters.
Simple stuff can help....removing needless weight here and there (signals, mirrors, tool kit) although its not as streetable and judging by what you've been saying so far you want it street.
Nothing wrong with getting an extended rev limiter but not many street only type 12 riders run an extended rev limiter, especially with a stock pipe as the power curve falls off earlier with those restrictive headers.
Advancing the timing seems to help wake up the 12 too, although I don't know from personal experience as I have retarded mine for nitrous usage.
I'd say best gains vs $$$ would be stainless brake lines and a 17 tooth sprocket. Ok ok nitrous oxide too but you'd want the pipe/pc/filter first of course.
Welcome to the madness.
A.
|
GUNNER
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
|
posted November 16, 2006 08:49 PM
quote:
Welcome to the madness.
A.
Sorry to report there is NO cure  Not that you'll want to be cured
|
CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
|
posted November 17, 2006 04:31 AM
If your going to be DragRacing the 12, then an extended swingarm is a must !!!
How long depends on how much you weigh...BEST MODS:
Akrapovic pipe...
Gearing...depends on how long you go
Lower forks 1 inch, strap, lowering links...
0-6 or 3-9inch Extended swingarm...
EK DR or DRZ non o-ring chain...
Pirelli SuperCorsa rear tire...sc2 or sc1
Fiberglass seat...
MR9 VP race fuel...
Then go to all the track rentals you can!!!
____________
Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
|
supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
|
posted November 17, 2006 07:57 AM
ignition avance rotor you just take of the timing cover on the left side of the motor. Then you can use an air ratchet to ratchet off the stock rotor. Then air gun on the muzzys rotor. set it to your specified timing specs with the allen wrench and go from there..
|
muleskinner
Novice Class
Posts: 69
|
posted November 18, 2006 05:52 PM
ECU
What ECU do the professional racers use? Is it set up by the Kaw factory for them, or do they use some electrical computer wiz guy to do it?
|
shiphteey
Needs a job
Posts: 2529
|
posted November 19, 2006 07:33 PM
A few people like DaveO and Superbike Mike can alter the stock ecu, you just send it to them and they do their magic.
A.
|
supra5677
Pro
Posts: 1279
|
posted November 19, 2006 07:45 PM
Superbike Mike overcharges to extend the revs in the ecu.. 600.00 NO WAY.. Wait for Ridge Racer..
|
entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
|
posted November 19, 2006 11:25 PM
DaveO does ECU mod for $200, AND he's a very helpful guy!!
____________
This moderator uses moderation in moderation
|
VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
|
posted November 20, 2006 05:46 AM
quote:
DaveO does ECU mod for $200, AND he's a very helpful guy!!
WOW! AGreed again! He went through PAINS to help me get my Data Aquisition to work
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC