Author Topic: GSXR cams in a Katana? Any Suzuki performance guys here?  (Read 1287 times)

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Offline Scott S

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GSXR cams in a Katana? Any Suzuki performance guys here?
« on: March 13, 2019, 03:20:42 PM »
 I'm swapping a 2000 Katana 750 engine into a 1980 GS550. Had I been a little more informed about Suzuki performance, I would have looked for a GSXR750 engine instead.

 I have some BST36 carbs with RamAir filters and internal velocity stacks, a Dynojet Stage 3 kit and a Yoshimura pipe/muffler for the stock header. I'll also add a 5 degree ignition advancer or modify the stock one.

 I've read that the '86-90 GSXR 750 cams can be installed for a HP bump (as well as the '88-89 Katana 1100 cams).
 Been doing some reading and searching, but the info is scarce and the threads are old. Hey....who's modifying 20 year old Katana's these days anyway?!

https://katriders.com/forum/service-department/katana-how-to-s-faq-s/26784-installing-gsxr-cams-in-a-katana?t=75466

 I believe I've located a set of cams. These can be swapped right in using the Katana cam gears and valve springs.
 Is it worth $100-125 and my time to do this? One of the local speed shops that deals with late model performance (relative to the vintage stuff we deal with) says I can probably get 100HP to the wheel with the aforementioned mods and some dyno tuning. Are the cams worth it?
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: GSXR cams in a Katana? Any Suzuki performance guys here?
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2019, 04:14:19 PM »
Building a stunt bike? lol...I think all the oil boiler stuff is pretty inter-changeable.  I still have not figured out where the head on my 86 slabbie came from, but due to some weird little spark plugs, I know it is not original to the 86 gsxr.  I have found tons of stories of swaps that have been done, but very little hard data as to how to identify various components.  I am thinking that certain models and years had tappet adjusters similar to our Honda's and other oil boilers used shim and bucket...so that could present potential problems, but I really am still learning this engine family that ran from 1985-200?

Next just swap that Bandit 1200 motor in there.  That should get the front up.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Scott S

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Re: GSXR cams in a Katana? Any Suzuki performance guys here?
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2019, 05:28:56 PM »
 The only reason I didn't go with the 1200 is because you have to pull the engine for valve adjustment. The 600/750 is pretty tight as it is.

 My engine uses screw type adjusters, thankfully.
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650