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  • 123hi
    PWCToday Guru
    • Jul 2014
    • 374

    Triple in a 550

    This thread will hopefully dispel some of the rumors surrounding the legitimacy of putting Kawi 900/1100 triple in a 550 hull. It should also result in an interesting experiment and quite a ski, even it it ends up at the bottom of the lake.

    The 900 being used will be replaced with an 1100 as soon as a decent deal pops up on one. 1100s are very expensive in NorCal, plus the exterior dimensions of the 900 engine are very similar to an 1100 so it should be nearly a direct swap when the time comes. The 900 also starts with a lot of better fitting parts - Regular sized coupler, smaller exhaust, smaller manifold, etc. 100hp stock is exciting, plus the sound of a triple is like nothing else...

    First - Questions! (Please ask any questions that might be missing)
    1) How much does this massive engine weigh?
    2) Will it fit in a 550 hull?
    3) How will the engine placement workout within the hull?
    4) What do you do with the exhaust?
    5) Electronics Placement?
    6) Is there any room for a tank? Electronics? Battery?
    7) WILL IT EVEN FLOAT?!?

    I don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re here to find out! The point of this thread is not just to build the ski, but to build it with performance and cleanliness in mind - while keeping it as factory looking and as 550 as possible.

    RHAAS pump kit is on order, tubbies are standing by, massive box of fiberglass supplies from US Composites on the shelf, tons of ideas floating around in my head. Let’s do this!...

    As long as this thing is faster than Waverunner Eagle’s build I’ll be happy hahaha

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Towards the end of the summer I found a nice deal on a 1990 550sx with a bunch of aftermarket parts. Gutted the hull to use the parts for another ski.




    I think this thing sat in the water for months. The sea scum was seemingly epoxied to it.





    Time to strip the Hull. Hull inserts for the tray pads were spinning - time for the saw…




    Decided to do a little sanding. The hull will get fresh paint once all glasswork/mods are done. Rear sponsons removed to reduce any possible rear flotation.




    Recently picked up a 1996 900 zxi on a trailer for $400, not bad for CA. Only a broken plastic fender on the trailer and broken trim cable on the ski.




    Triple is out! Pop an advil for the backache…

    Question #1 - Answered! Engine weights 128lbs with only the exhaust removed. It will be reduced a little bit since we are not using the ZXI bed plate which weighs 12lbs. Exhaust weighs 18lbs. Heavy for sure.



    After a quick wipe down…




    Holy smokes ,there’s a lot of electronics in this couch…




    The triple savvy guys will know this - The Kawi triples actually have 10 tapped motor mount holes in the cases. Six holes mount to the ZXI bed plate, the other four are unused and are the exact bolt pattern of any 650/750/800 engine - quite convenient! SXR1100 conversions take advantage of this.



    So, if a triple will bolt to an SXR bed plate, then a triple will bolt to a 550/650 conversion plate - which bolts to a 550 bed plate, right? Yes! Well, with quick mods.

    Also, I’m using RHAAS 550 to 650/750 conversion plates because they allow you to position the engine about ¾” further back than a standard conversion plate. All this weight needs to be as far back as it can get.

    Mods are simple, the middle two ZXI Mounts need to be clearanced 5mm.





    During surgery…




    All cleaned up. Mounts are right about flush with the reinforcing rib on the cases…




    To install the bed plate, one engine mount bolt needs to be shortened or it will contact a reinforcing rib. It still fully engages all threads in the conversion plate.




    Bed plate installed (Will be painted before final install)

  • 123hi
    PWCToday Guru
    • Jul 2014
    • 374

    #2
    Re: Triple in a 550

    Question #2 - Answered - First test fit, not bad! (Different hull used for test fit due to a quick wash on the other one)





    Question #3 - Answered! Bolted in place - very pleased with how far back it sits, couldn’t really go much further back.

    Interesting fact - The 650 conversion that I built last year (build thread on this site) used a Watcon standard style conversion plate. The front cylinder on this 900 triple is only ⅞” further forward than the front cylinder on my 650 conversion. Measurements are taken from the center of spark plug hole back to the hood seal lip. The third cylinder is almost completely behind the regular dual cylinder 650/750 style conversions. In fact, if it weren't for a rather large stator housing, a stock tank might fit.




    Hood Fitment - The stock hood will not fit with the factory flame arrestor (which I intend to keep for now). Even the dual scoop aftermarket one will not fit...But, it’s only the rear portion of the liner on the stock hood causing interference.




    A heat gun and a flush cutter, pop out the rear portion, and it fits! Clearance is tight though so it may need more clearance later. Removing the liner was actually much easier that expected…




    Blocked off the holes in the hull, put the chamber and a 25lb platter in to simulate the added weight of ebox, small tank, small battery and hea pipe. Put the pump on the tray as well to get a rough estimate. Took it to the lake for a float test!

    Question #4 - Answered. It floats! To top it off, my 650 conversion’s nose does not sit much better in the water. Add some tubbies and we might just be in business.








    Stay tuned!

    Comment

    • Jim_ii
      I dream skis
      • Aug 2011
      • 541

      #3
      Re: Triple in a 550

      Can't wait to see how it runs / rides!

      Comment

      • Hydro-Mike
        Top Dog
        • Sep 2015
        • 1332

        #4
        Re: Triple in a 550

        Looking good so far. Will be watching with interest. I had many of the same thoughts, but I was not after max HP and speed. PM me I have some ideas about the hood that can easily solve a couple of problems.

        Comment

        • WFO Speedracer
          PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
          • Aug 2006
          • 28942

          #5
          Re: Triple in a 550

          I can't wait to see how he is going to gfit that exhaust in there !
          Y'all know me, still the same O.G. but I been low-key
          hated on by most these &^$$@s with no cheese, no deals and no G's, no wheels and no keys, no boats, no snowmobiles, and no skis, mad at me cause I can finally afford to provide my family with groceries

          WWSRD , What would Speed Racer do ?

          Comment

          • JetFX1
            Frequent Poster
            • Aug 2014
            • 216

            #6
            Re: Triple in a 550

            sub'd cant wait to see this thing run
            86 Turd Sport
            86 650sx
            95 Blaster
            96 HX
            16 Superjet

            Comment

            • bigdogtim
              PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
              • Mar 2008
              • 3607

              #7
              Re: Triple in a 550

              what about the exhaust will it fit

              Comment

              • rhugo21
                Top Dog
                • Jul 2010
                • 1518

                #8
                Re: Triple in a 550

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                Originally posted by bigdogtim View Post
                what about the exhaust will it fit
                This guy on the X posted this for an exhaust option and he said this about it when asked about the B pipe on the 900 motor.

                "Works really well for the 900, but too restrictive for an 1100."

                FX-1 and 550 are close in size so I don't see why the B pipe on the 900 in a JS hull wouldn't fit with a little modification to the chamber
                Oside Crew





                Comment

                • mmcahow
                  Resident Guru
                  • Jul 2011
                  • 934

                  #9
                  Re: Triple in a 550

                  Sub'd!

                  Comment

                  • hyosung
                    PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
                    • Aug 2010
                    • 8469

                    #10
                    Re: Triple in a 550

                    watching with interest , im liking the B pipe set up ! a couple of questions >> , coupling line up IE: size ,distance , hull strength ,IE: pole , engine mounts , etc, pump / impeller selection ,fuel cell , water box , looking good so far "for a JS "..
                    http://www.pwctoday.com/showthread.php?t=425767

                    modded X2 650

                    900 powered custom 650 sx .

                    Jerry Rigging is my specialty .....

                    sigpic

                    if i did like everyone else and copied everything i needed or wanted i would save lots of time and money.

                    Comment

                    • Rompn
                      Top Dog
                      • Aug 2004
                      • 1386

                      #11
                      Re: Triple in a 550

                      Cool build. With some modding a triple fits, floats and works. Not to many out there though. Subscribing...
                      Patrick Goldsworthy
                      Region 1 / Vintage Ski / #28

                      Chris "Fish" Fischetti & Victor "The Slasher" Sheldon
                      sigpic

                      Comment

                      • Rod Peters
                        PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
                        • Jul 2010
                        • 2646

                        #12
                        Re: Triple in a 550

                        This is crazy, but I like it, FYI the hull gets unstable at about 40 mph, however I am sub'ed to see how the extra weight is a plus or works against the design of the hull. MORE PICS please. Might recommend tubbies and "Fish Sticks" (see www.watcom.com) for the fish sticks.
                        sigpic

                        Comment

                        • 800amsoil4u
                          Resident Guru
                          • Jun 2005
                          • 984

                          #13
                          Re: Triple in a 550

                          Nice build. Cant wait to see it when it is done. Subscribed.
                          Save up to 25% by becoming an AMSOIL Preferred Customer

                          Prices listed are Retail. E-mail or Call me for a price quote.
                          http://www.TrySyntheticOil.com
                          Kevin Stubaus AMSOIL Dealer for over 25 years
                          [email protected]
                          1-800-AMSOIL-4U (267-6454)

                          Yamaha 2001 GP1200R W/RXPX Engine in it
                          Polaris 785 Pro Super Stock
                          2000 Polaris Pro 1200 Super Stock
                          Kawi 550 Mod, Stroker Reed Motor

                          Comment

                          • WaveRunner Eagle
                            PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
                            • Aug 2008
                            • 2074

                            #14
                            Re: Triple in a 550

                            Originally posted by 123hi View Post

                            As long as this thing is faster than Waverunner Eagle’s build I’ll be happy hahaha
                            I'm not sure if you mean your build will be completed quicker, or your ski will be faster.... I think you have a good shot at being right on both counts

                            On the other hand....a factory pipe could probably make up a good part of that 10 h.p. difference....
                            sigpic
                            Skis:
                            1986 X2
                            1987 750 X2
                            1990 SNSJ
                            1994 WB1
                            1995 VHP

                            Comment

                            • Ragged Edge Racing
                              PWCToday.com Is My Home Away From Home
                              • Dec 2004
                              • 5141

                              #15
                              Re: Triple in a 550

                              Put some front sponsons on as that might help float it a bit better and add some stability. Get some Pro Watercraft, they should work well.

                              Comment

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