[vtcrf450x]

Has anyone installed the Hotcams stage 1? Did it make a big difference? Will installing this make it so you have to rebuild the engine sooner?

[MarkB]

While I have no experience with the Stage 1 cam, there have been a few on this site that enjoy their Stage 1, but from what people have said it adds to the bottom end, and mid-range power increase. But that in itself should not change much the life of this 450X motor.

I do have the stage 2 cam in mine, and am VERY glad I did it. I have a dual sported 450X, and sure like what it does for my mid range and top end power, and since I saw in your post that you have a dual sported 450X I thought I would reply.

If you ride a bit on the street and would like a bit more power, go for the stage 2 cam, for sure.

While making more mid range/ top end power increase will decrease any engines life, so will reving the pee-pee out of a stock motor. So where are you? I think pretty much in the same place.

If you are thinking that you may need more power you are most likely already reving our motor up a lot.

For me to have to freshen up my motor after 5 years or so of abuse with a cam (and I ride a lot), or freshen up after 6 years as is most likely common practice for the average person with a totaly stock motor, to living with the cam in my bike that should have came in it from Honda is A-OK with me.

Life is short in my mind, so I live it with the things that make me happy. And having a 450X that totally ROCKS in any enviroment I choose to play with it in is what makes sense to me.

No one really knows out there how much this engine life in particular will be decreased by adding a nice cam, but with the stage 2 there will be more smiles per mile that is a for sure thing.

After seeing a lot of (Orange) bikes need a freshen up every so many years, I think a totally hot-rodded 450X will need it about the same amount of time.

3 cents worth of my mind.

Cheers
Mark

[crfsonly]

we used the stage 1 cam in the project bike. it definitely made a noticable difference. the low end and mid is very similar to my xr400. i really never thought i would be able to say that with a moderned short stroke high rev'ing 4-stroke motor. i was wrong. it's not going to give you any power up top but that may not be important if you are mostly riding trails.

if you are looking for more mid-high end than the stage 2 is for you.

on installation, set the decomp at .040 as a starting point and then go from there. if there's too much compression the starter will not be able to turn over the motor. be careful not to burn up your starter...it's expensive. don't ask me how i know.

ken

[xman]

Take Ken's suggestion. I burned up my starter and battery trying to set mine up after installing my stage 2.

School of hard knocks usually works, but is very expensive

[r1racer]

I have one I'd sell for 75. plus shipping. I had it in my 06 450R

[JAWS]

I have one I'd sell for 75. plus shipping. I had it in my 06 450R

PM sent
Joe

[XGiant]

My Stage 1 arrived while I was in SoCal. I do not have immediate plans to install it, but since everything outside is frozen, I may as well go ahead. I will post results when I can actually ride the thing!

[[email protected]]

You'll love it XGiant, it's a very sweet combination with the exhaust you have, so your bike will be a clone of my X.
SIV and I both think our bottom end was better too,you're going to enjoy this mod. Doug

[Bamm Bamm]

I'd vote for the Stage 2 I had a noticable power increase all across the board on it and I can now pull a wheelie at any given time. The bike pulls so hard now.. I mostly ride trails and hillclimb with my bike I'm glad I did it. Hills are much nicer now=)for the stage 2 cam we've been setting the decompressor right at .022 and that seems to work great!!

[[email protected]]

Ooops, I didn't realize until the PM that you are doing a Stage 1.
I hope you like it, because like Bamm Bamm and SIV we all thought we picked up bottom and mid too, a nice change across the board with the Stage 2. Doug