2002 750ie motor upgrade options?

[MTKLI]

I have a 2002 750ie that I'll be stripping down and rebuilding over the winter... I keep going back and forth on what to do with the motor. Swapping it out for a larger motor just seems too easy. I've considerred the MBP head work, but it's pretty expensive and it sort of doesn't make a lot sense to do to a 750. If I were to go that route it seems like I might as well get a larger donor motor and make the most out of every $$$ spent going that way. So... what exactly can I do with this motor? What kind of displacement is possible, head work, dual spark, cams.... Any input us greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[ducpainter]

795 kit is a popular option...as is some 900 cam...not sure which, but 900 fuelie is one I think.

You can have the heads reworked including tipped ports, dual plugs, and the above cams...

but in the end you can get the same basic results by bolting in a 900 motor...for a lot less.

[Raux]

I think Kopfjaeger is working on a 750 beast of a motor...

[MongoReturns]

Throw a NOS kit on there till it pops, then bolt-on 900 engine.  I've considered this 

[Duck-Stew]

Bang for the buck, here's (IMO) the best option:

Sell the 750 motor as is.  Buy a 2005-6 S2R800 motor and then buy a re-flashed S2R800 ecu to DP specs.

Reasons for this?  Exhaust will directly swap.  Intake manifolds will directly swap.  Motor bolts right in.  6-speed trans.  8mm valve guides ('07-'08 800's have 7mm which are prone to softening).  Power equivalent to a 900 with lower expense (no exhaust/intake manifold swapping).

Your out-of-pocket expense should be around $500-$700 total.

[1KDS]

I think Kopfjaeger is working on a 750 beast of a motor...

his started as an 800, but yeah it's a beast

OP, you should buy this 1000DS and stick it in there

[MTKLI]

Hmmm...There's definitely a good argument there about swapping in an 800, sixth gear would definitely be nice. I'm still not sold though, maybe there's just a part of me that's mod happy or something. Obviously logical economics aside HP to dollar wise. What falls between say just a big bore kit and MBP heads? Would something in the middle yeild roughly the same HP as the 800, but perhaps better drivability? If all else fails I guess NOS may be the solution...

[junior varsity]

ST2 cams would work too i believe.

[Duck-Stew]

Stop, stop, stop....

Here's the skinny on building a 750 motor:

It ain't worth it.  Period.  COMPLETE waste of $$$$.  (I know first hand as I'm building the snot out of one right frickin' now...) 

Heads are crap.
Valves are small.
Cams barely lift the valves off the seats.
Lowest compression of ANY stock Ducati built in the last 15 years.
5-speed trans.
Non-slipper wet-clutch.

The 800 option yields the following:
Bigger cams.
Heads that flow better.
Bigger valves.
Higher compression than the 750
An APTC wet-slipper clutch
6-speed trans.


900 or ST cams will NOT work in a 750 head w/o new valves.

[Duck-Stew]

I've got thousands of $$$$ into the motor bits (still ain't assembled yet either) and it will be lucky to match the performance of a stock or mildly built 800.

[junior varsity]

i agree that a person would not modify a 750 for any rationale or wallet-friendly reason.

[MTKLI]

Ok, ok... when you put it that way there Mr. Stew. I Very much appreciate the slap of reality, but then why waste your time and money on one yourself? Just curious...

Also, hypothetically of course... Say one were to aquire said 800 motor. Where would be the best place to satisfy ones need to improve what's already there?

[junior varsity]

859 big bore / high compression kit



light as hell wheels

[Duck-Stew]

Ok, ok... when you put it that way there Mr. Stew. I Very much appreciate the slap of reality, but then why waste your time and money on one yourself? Just curious...

Also, hypothetically of course... Say one were to aquire said 800 motor. Where would be the best place to satisfy ones need to improve what's already there?

Ok, ok...  I'm not your average Monster owner.  I'm completely insane.  I converted my 750 to a dry-clutch and to fuel injection back in '05.  That wasn't enough punishment for me...  So now I'm building the crap out of my 750.

Why?  Cuz it was the original motor in my bike.  I like that I have an 'underdog' as far as performance goes (makes me ride harder).  And, as already mentioned...I'm insane.

$600 for pistons (91mm)
$450 for boring/plating
$300 for used 900i.e. cams
$?    for new valves (custom built to fit the cams into the heads)
$150 for used M800 rods (stronger than 750 rods)
$200 for a used M695 6-speed trans
(at least) $400 for bearings/gaskets/seals/etc to build the motor...
$100 for a 749 stator/rotor
$?    for another dry-clutch conversion

all to build the same power as an 800 motor has...    Yeah!  I hate my wallet!!!    W00t! 

[junior varsity]

if you get your crank balanced and lightened, you won't know that its running though....except for the exhaust note!


(just to spend some more of yo' money)