SHould I mod the Fut motor?

[samurai_jim]

Here is the scoop:

I now have a 2004 Futura and a 2002 Mille engine on the way. Do you all know if the cams from the Mille are more aggressive than the Fut? I know that the valves are bigger in the head, but I can't seem to find info on the cam specs.

Also I would take the cylinders from the Mille engine and get them bored out, then if it were worth it, do the cam, head and cylinder swap at the same time. If my assumption is correct, the Mille engine has better cams, bigger valves and with the big bore kit on top of those, I would probably pick up 15-20 hp. I would probably retain the same TB's from the futura, as to not loose that much bottom end.

What do you all think? Mind you, this is probably a year in the making. But I like to toss around ideas for a while.

-SJ

[Old Wanderer]

In my opinion NO....I really like the Futura just as it is. I would spend my money on suspension improvements and more aggressive tires (which you have to change more often).

If you want to feel the burn,,,,I have a Falco frame I will sell you cheap, put the mille motor in it (after I take mine out), and go to the track where you can use the power.

[vil_guy]

ah sod it, go for it i say!

i am very much interested in the same thing but money constraints at the minute limit me to simpler projects. im going down the air box and exhaust route first, then suspension and weight then fiinally engine mods.

start cheap for easy gains and then get more expensive for the smaller ones. (wrong way round i think!)

still if you can afford it, go for it, just be aware that gains somewhere mean losses somewhere else.

cant have everything

[ride200mi]

Although the Futura and the rest of the Aprilia line use the Rotax, they are not the same. For one, the timing pick-ups are not the same hence you would at least need to change out most of the electrics. As far as the FI, it too is different as mentioned, but again you can switch over a set from a Milie. As always..... it probley can be done, but at what cost. I was looking at trying to get a little more out of the engine as I am not light weight. What seemed to be the most cost efective would be a big bore kit. Mind you, it may not be as smooth after the install, but that would be the only con IMHO.

[meanstrk]

If you have the parts, equipment, and know how, why not? You should be able to use Tunboy to get your mapping REAL close and will likely pick up a considerable amount of PH in the process.

I do tend to side with Old Wanderer though. The most benefit for the Fut is decent suspension. A bit of ride height adjustment in the rear with a decent shock and new internals in the front will transfor the bike into a more stable platform than it already is.

PS..... I frequent your neck of the woods quite a bit!

[Pat]

The Fut and a Millie have totally different engine management and ECU, coils, the lot.

Also the engine will not take much boring out due to the angle of the cylinders. That's one reason why Aprilia have gone for a completely new engine for their 1200.

IMHO the amount you could take it out to, say maybe 1100cc, it wouldn't be worth doing.

[Turbo Rob]

Post a pm for Arron Clark (clarkie) and have him explain the upgrades you can get away with on the Futura. The big bore kit can get you up to 10-12 more HP. After that you would have to use the Milie cams etc with the sagem injection still on the futura, to see even bigger gains...........

At some point, as Arron told me...........you might as well just buy and ride a Milie on the track, because, price wise ,performance wise, that is were you would be................ full out track bike not suited for the street.

Rob H

[samurai_jim]

Although the Futura and the rest of the Aprilia line use the Rotax, they are not the same. For one, the timing pick-ups are not the same hence you would at least need to change out most of the electrics. As far as the FI, it too is different as mentioned, but again you can switch over a set from a Milie. As always..... it probley can be done, but at what cost. I was looking at trying to get a little more out of the engine as I am not light weight. What seemed to be the most cost efective would be a big bore kit. Mind you, it may not be as smooth after the install, but that would be the only con IMHO.

Could I not just switch the cam gears? I can degree the cams where they should be. Aren't the timing marks on the cam gears? If the cam profile is basically the same, only with a bit more lift/duration, could I not just swap cam gears? If so that would solve the timing issue, correct?

[deefred]

If you go to here http://aprilia.vladiks.com/aprilia_docs/
you can download the rotax engine manual and in there the specs for the different engine models can be found like camshaft info etc.

[bobdavis73]

Mods are great fun but if you really want to get crazy just go buy a used Mille and save all the cash. Heck! AF1 has two brand new 07 RSV Rs sitting on the show room floor for just a bit over $10,000. What a deal!

I like to tinker in my garage but I don't hold a candle to the engineers at Aprilia. When you want it done right get one of their creations and start smiling. You will spend less time broken down on the side of the road, you will have much better resale value, and enjoy the time riding instead of wrenching.

Bob

[samurai_jim]

I sent a message to AF!, Ed Cook replied, this is what he said about the cams and heads off of the Mille :

yes, the heads and cams are more powerful from the 02 engine....bigger valves, more lift, and duration....figure 5-7 more hp

they will go right on


Ed Cook


Looks like if this is true, I should be able to do a direct swap from the Mille motor into the futura and pick up some hp. I really think that cams and bikker valves would give a bit over 7 hp. From my experience with the Jap bikes, it would be more like 15 hp. But I don't really know what the cam profiles are in comparison.