| Author | Message | ||
     Falloutnl |
Hey guys, I picked up an XB12R with my dad a couple of months ago. It was real cheap (well, around these parts anyway). 1500 euro for a Firebolt that wasn't running. We had hoped that the issue would be relatively minor (like a busted oil pump drive gear or something like that). But no, the engine was pretty much completely destroyed. Even the camshaft bearings had come loose so that those were actually turning in the block instead of the bearings... Long story short. I'm looking to buy a replacement engine. Do any of you guys know whether it's possible to fit one of the improved post '08 engines? Or is that a major hassle due to the different oil line routing, other attachment points and possible differences with regards to the wiring harness? | ||
| Akbuell |
I believe the '08 and up will fit. As you mention, the oil lines (certainly the fittings) will be different. The big hurdle will be the wiring harness and an '08 and up ECM, as the newer engine uses a different ignition pickup system, and possibly program. Hope this helps, Dave | ||
| Froggy |
The 08+ engine will work, Hughlysses did an 09 motor in his bike when the 07 crank died. The problem is that it is a lot of work, and requires a significant amount of replacement parts including the wiring harness and ECM. Easiest route would be to find another 04/05 motor and it will drop in, or get your current one rebuilt (big bore kit?) (Message edited by froggy on June 09, 2016) | ||
| Falloutnl |
Yeah we thought about it (rebuilding), that's what we set out do actually. Except with the cam-bearing problem mentioned above, I don't think it's wise to invest the vast amounts of money needed to resurrect what has become a foundation of questionable integrity. Literally everything else is busted as well, big-end, bent pushrods, pistons, cylinders, valves, etc. Just a complete mess. The guy who did this must have been a complete idiot. Just kept riding long, long after the oil pressure was gone. Anyway, I'm asking because I have found a seller that has both an '08 motor and the ECU and wiring harness to go with it. What other replacement parts would I need? Because if it's much more than the ECU and harness, it might be wiser to go with something '04 and compatible. One last edit: This seller also has 04 and 07 XB12S motors. Would these qualify as 'easier' options with them not being from Firebolt but lightning bikes? (Message edited by falloutnl on June 09, 2016) | ||
| Phelan |
Neither 04 or 07 are great options, because both are known for questionable crank bearings, but both will drop in. I think I would take option C: Part out the bike to get your money back and buy a different bike. | ||
| Froggy |
For an 08+ swap you would need the complete motor including throttle body, oil cooler, etc. Off the top of my head, you also need the wiring harness, ECM, and throttle cables. You will need to get custom oil lines to hook up the swingarm to the motor. Regards to Firebolt 12 vs Lightning 12 vs Uly motors, they are all identical other than the timing cover decal. 07 is more known for the bad cranks than 04s, I'd go with the 04 if it was a good price. It will be an easy drop in as you won't need to change anything else. | ||
| Falloutnl |
Thanks for the input guys. Phelan, I suppose parting the bike out would make more sense, except that means another Firebolt dies. In a world where more Buell engines go to cruiser projects than they are used to save actual Buells, I still want to try to make this Firebolt work  . Also, the seller is asking very reasonable prices, for the '04 and '07 motors especially. I don't think I can buy a working Firebolt for what I would get parting the bike out and the money saved on the engine. So, could still be worth it. And cheers Froggy, the seller has the entire crashed 08 bike. So I could ask for all those components. I'll think about it and I'll let you guys now what happens. And I can post some pictures of the project here once we get going again. | ||
| Froggy |
Depending on how bad it was crashed, it may be easier to buy the wreck and fix it with parts from the 04. Sounds like another Buell dies regardless though. Definitely post picks regardless, it will be a fun project either way. | ||
| Greg_e |
OK, lets look at the really hard way... What if you send the case to a good machine shop and have roller bearings machined for the cams, or at least oversize bushings put in. Then send the crank out for rebuild which can be done by places like Revolution Performance. | ||
| Falloutnl |
Yeah, we've actually spoken to a couple of machine shops and they all had the same reaction; buying a new motor might be both a cheaper and better option since ours was just too far gone. It's possible, of course, but it will cost twice as much as a replacement and might not turn out to be better due to what happened with the cam bearings. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Having a complete 08 is not a bad idea, but on a crashed bike you might want to be sure all the mounting points and other hard parts are intact. I was considering an engine on ebay once, but in the pics you could see the threaded hole for one of the mounts on the head was broken in half as well as other damage. Just take a good look if you can. | ||
| Falloutnl |
Thanks for the tip, I'll ask for pictures of those points. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
I hope you're not doing business with Boonstra parts!? If so you better have a look at the parts in person! | ||
| Falloutnl |
No, an American actually. |
