Topic: 550 Dynoman "Stage" kit opinions

[chadbenson]

So I've got a '76-550 that has a weeping head gasket after being back on the road for a few years and I've decided if I'm getting into the motor I might as well hop it up a little. Has anyone installed one of the 3 stage kits from Dynoman? Pro's/Con's?

Currently the bike has:
1. Stock air box with UNI-filter
2. Stock carbs
3. Power Arc electronic ignition
4. Mac 4 into 1 with stock baffle (also have a competition baffle, not installed)

With the items mentioned above, will I notice a $1000+ difference in performance? I want to step up power a good bit, but also don't want to sacrifice reliability. Anybody found a good happy medium that won't cause a tuning nightmare?
Thanks guys!

[Tews19]

You could find a 650 sohc engine... Drop it in... weighs only 2 pounds more and you get 20 percent increase in HP.... Engines and wire harness can be had for a few hundo tops.

[Dimitri13]

From what I understand, the stage 3 kit is pretty much race only.

That being said, I have the stage 2 kit. I haven't finished the build yet, but from everyone I've talked to, there will be a marked difference in performance. Like a completely different bike. I'm sure Jimmy or bwaller or any HiPo guy can chime in and give you their impressions.

[chadbenson]

I've actually considered the 650 swap, as I have a friend with one that's just sitting in the frame. If not a full engine swap then maybe just use the 650 head on the 550 ( I like having a kick). He's a new dad so I bet I could get it for peanuts.

I definitely know I won't be going the stage 3 direction, as I have no intention of having the powerband be in the WOT range, or racing it for that matter. I have combed the threads for awhile on various builds (including yours Dimitri) and other than the dyno thread, haven't really seen any gut opinions of the stage 1 or 2 kit. Basically just wondering if the bang is worth the buck? Also, and more specifically, is there is a big difference in the stage 1 and 2? Especially for only another $160.

I really like the 550, and would love to have it be much peppier and do it reliably, but I also know that you can sink some money into these bikes quick. And like one guy said "If you want hot, throwing money at a 40+ year old Honda is kinda pointless"

[heffay]

And like one guy said "If you want hot, throwing money at a 40+ year old Honda is kinda pointless"

I dunno if I'd say pointless... I'd rather dump money in a nice vintage bike than hop up a sportbike or a Harley, cuz you still have just a sportbike or Harley in the end.   

[Tews19]

And like one guy said "If you want hot, throwing money at a 40+ year old Honda is kinda pointless"

I dunno if I'd say pointless... I'd rather dump money in a nice vintage bike than hop up a sportbike or a Harley, cuz you still have just a sportbike or Harley in the end.   

Well said...


You can get the 120 buck kits on eBay... I ordered mine and have sent off the cylinders and head to MReick the other day to do. The piston kit looked nice.

[jpfrk2001]

I am also paying attention to these 550 threads as I am building a 550 right now. I do plan on doing engine hop ups also. Just inquiring.

Dimitri, I am looking forward to your feedback on your engines performance. I am also eyeing the Dynoman kits.

How complete are those kits? Is there any hidden additional purchases to complete the motor build? (Besides Machine work. I got that)

[K_Kalynuik]

I got the Dynoman Stage 2 pistons (with the deep valve pockets) with the webcam A Camshaft, The milder cam of the choices. Along with all the necessary valve springs/hdwr. Broke an original valve end of this summer though. I noticed a good difference (butt dyno) on the top end for sure. Its seems almost the same as stock up until around 5-6000 rpm. Carb tuning at idle did not changed other than my exhaust and air box changes. From what I gather, the other cams will create gobs of power in the top end but will cause tuning issues on the low end. Ask yourself what's the most riding you will be doing. If its just a street bike that you cruise around and need smooth idle, you don't need the other cams. If your racing, get the more top end cams.  All That being said, its not impossible to tune the "top end" cams for idle, just takes more work and skill.

[chadbenson]

And like one guy said "If you want hot, throwing money at a 40+ year old Honda is kinda pointless"

I dunno if I'd say pointless... I'd rather dump money in a nice vintage bike than hop up a sportbike or a Harley, cuz you still have just a sportbike or Harley in the end.   

I totally agree! (especially the harley) Otherwise I wouldn't be doing an engine build

Which is mainly being made possible because I bought a '09 SV650 this past year that's been awesome to have as a second bike. It's allowing me to still ride while the 550 is down. It's been a dream too, average around 60 MPG's ( I weigh nothing) and makes a reliable 68 HP to the wheel.

I guess I mostly was saying that the person who said that makes a good point. That you should keep expectations in check on such an old machine, especially when spending big buck$. For instance a $750+ dollar set of CR carbs, etc...

Tews, I have been super curious about those! What's your ETA for completion you think? Has anyone else documented their 550 build with one of those kits already?

[chadbenson]

K_Kalynuik,
thanks for the great input! Your setup, performance wise, sounds like what I'd probably prefer. It will primarily be a street bike that I don't want to fight tuning the low end, but still has some great pull up top. I'll have to read your build more extensively.

[K_Kalynuik]

 No Problem. Let us know what you pick and how it goes once you get it all done.

[Tews19]

Yes someone has used and completed their engine with the 120 kits.... let me find the video...

[Tews19]

Found it, response 82...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112346.75

[Hannibal Smith]

As posted above, the bike gets great at high 5's and six grand. I would say my bike falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to a hopped up CB550.

Stop and go riding takes a little throttle control, but once it bangs on 6.............it pulls like crazy. For a weekend bike it's perfect.

[Bailgang]

And like one guy said "If you want hot, throwing money at a 40+ year old Honda is kinda pointless"

I dunno if I'd say pointless... I'd rather dump money in a nice vintage bike than hop up a sportbike or a Harley, cuz you still have just a sportbike or Harley in the end.   

Well if I were trying to keep up with my kids cbr600 then yeah it would be pointless, his cbr can already run not walk away from my 750 and come next spring it will be even faster once he gets done installing a big bore kit but I'm not looking to have the quickest bike around so I don't care. I just prefer the vintage bikes over any of the newer stuff and it's the kid in me that can't help messing with it to make it go faster no matter how much $ I throw at it. Besides his bike as sweet as it is still just blends into a crowd while my 750 stands out and gets all the attention. Even my kid prefers playing with his outdated cbr600 F3 rather than save his $ and get say an F4i or RR or something bigger, that would be too easy. Like me he too prefers a challenge.

[heffay]

Like me he too prefers a challenge.

carburetors   

I miss my CBR600F2

[jpfrk2001]

Well, hearing from others, I just like going "All Out" on some builds. My 550 will be one of them. Other builds, I just slap it together so I can get out and enjoy.

I'll more then likely go the Stage 2 route with all the valvetrain upgrades also.

[chadbenson]

"I ordered mine and have sent off the cylinders and head to MReick the other day to do. The piston kit looked nice."

What's the best way to get in touch with him (Mike Reick)? Probably end up having him work the cylinder head at the least.
For whatever reason he doesn't come up in the member search.

[heffay]

Mrieck


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=profile;u=49

[chadbenson]

^^^^ Thanks!!

[Bailgang]

Like me he too prefers a challenge.

carburetors   

I miss my CBR600F2

You nailed that. Earlier this past summer he installed an aftermarket header and muffler and his carbs threw a fit. One jet kit and 2 months of playing with them  later and he finally had the carbs dialed in and bike running great. When he started amassing parts for a big bore kit I told him he was probably going to have to go through the mess of tuning the carbs again. He just shrugged his shoulders and said "Oh well".

[heffay]

I prefer something I can fix on the side of the road, hopefully... fuel injection adds a whole new issue

[bwaller]

I built the "592" for my wife so didn't overdo it engine wise. 61mm pistons(10:1CR), tight clearances, Web 58a cam, mild porting, stock carbs. A good stock 550 produces 36-38 RWHP, this one makes 51. Not huge but instantly noticeable. The power band is very linear, not unlike stock, but on steroids!

[heffay]

A good stock 550 produces 36-38 RWHP, this one makes 51. Not huge but instantly noticeable.

A 28% increase on power is pretty huge.  Ya, maybe you could squeeze a few more out, but those last few % won't be nearly as noticeable as the first 28%! 

[bwaller]

A good stock 550 produces 36-38 RWHP, this one makes 51. Not huge but instantly noticeable.

A 28% increase on power is pretty huge.  Ya, maybe you could squeeze a few more out, but those last few % won't be nearly as noticeable as the first 28%! 

Oh it's all noticeable. However greater increases in power costs way more, believe me!