Yxz build/maintenance

[Dcb.blake]

Buddy just got a new turbo r and even though they are badass cars and I debated about upgrading I think I would get bored just holding a steering wheel. I’ve had my Yxz for 3ish years now. Things been through the ringer but it’s been super super reliable to me. Little over 3,000 miles a couple cartwheels bent frame and it hasn’t missed a beat. When I first got the car (bought it used) I cartwheeled it when it had stock suspension. Shit happens, I was following sombody and they broke and came to an immediate stop I tried to dodge them and ended up em bucking and into cartwheel. Everyone ended up un harmed besides the car. Cage did it’s job. Bent the rear lower frame where the arm bolts and tbt front clip was tweaked a little which was fixed easily. The rear frame got pushed in a good amount which is common on these cars. Got all that fixxed and everything bent back a lot straighter than I expected it to. Went through and welded in gussets all over the car. It’s a 200ish piece kit made by rayscar designs. Put a fireball long travel kit on with heims so I could adjust and get everything as perfect as possible. Fast foreward to now and 2500 miles later. I always wanted to turbo the car as they are just flat out gutless. I run 33s and it’s a dog. Now that I’ve spent some time with the car the lt helped alot with the ride but the ass end is just either way too stiff or too soft. I think due to tbt shock angle.


I’ll be doing some general mantince and installing a Weller turbo kit and standing tbt rear shocks up to achieve a better ride.

 

[Dcb.blake]

This is what the shock relocation should do. I tracked down the guy that made the mounts as he did all the hard work figuring out design and placement. Should save me a lot of time as I’ll just have to prep frame and weld into place. I’ll also have to modify the upper arm. Should be pretty simple, cut and move a cross bar then clearance the tube. Not entirely sure how I will clearance the tube yet. Through about just making a new one with proper clearance. We will see.


Everything will be here next week I hope. Turbo kit should put the car to 160ish whp. Which pretty much doubles what it is now. I try to keep this updated.

 

[pixrthis]

The people that did our suspension race close course and are sponsored by Can Am but used to race Yamahas, they say the Yamaha is much more fun to drive.

 

[yz450mm]

Exhaust mods, airbox spacer, Ultra lightweight flywheel, and flash tune really woke mine up a lot!

 

[Dcb.blake]

The people that did our suspension race close course and are sponsored by Can Am but used to race Yamahas, they say the Yamaha is much more fun to drive.

I enjoy it a lot! I do primarily higher speed desert stuff, I like that I can run 60mph for a continuous amount of time and lower the rpm by going up a gear and not worrying about the load on my rubber band.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Exhaust mods, airbox spacer, Ultra lightweight flywheel, and flash tune really woke mine up a lot!

That’s pretty much what I’ve been running the last couple years. Tune and exhaust. The ability to shift makes up for tbt lack of Hp

These cars are very light so a small Hp gain wakes them up a lot!

 

[Cooter01]

My pops and a lot of friends all have an X3 or rzr and I ride my quad or dirt bike. I have been looking at SXS and keep coming back to yxz as I feel it is more of a drivers car. I look forward to your mods and feedback. Looking to get one around beginning of next year hopefully. When sxs first came out I tried the rzr 800, 900, 1000. Yea they are cool, yet I like the freedom of the bike or quad.

 

[Dcb.blake]

My pops and a lot of friends all have an X3 or rzr and I ride my quad or dirt bike. I have been looking at SXS and keep coming back to yxz as I feel it is more of a drivers car. I look forward to your mods and feedback. Looking to get one around beginning of next year hopefully. When sxs first came out I tried the rzr 800, 900, 1000. Yea they are cool, yet I like the freedom of the bike or quad.

That’s what I came from. Been riding dirt bikes since 6 or so up until a few years ago. I do miss it but it got to a point where the stuff we were doing was going to eventually lead to some serious injurious. Billy goat trails, making our own trails high speeds. Also with everyone in sxs now I don’t trust people to not hit me, dangerous now days to be on a bike.

That being said that’s why I got the Yxz, that and I’m cheap and the cars are the most affordable . Car already had a cage shock therapy all rugged stuff nice rigid lights lowrance some other small stuff which I knew I was gonna have to pay for at some point. Ended up getting it for 11-12 back 3 years ago with 40hrs. His wife wanted a 4 seater…. Takes some money to get them up to par with the other cars but it comes about even in the end if you do it right. I like to adjust and tweak things so the Yxz was the better choice for me. Biggest thing is the suspension, take a look at avid utv his stuff is very nice and works. Wish he had been around when I was going the lt route on my car. Eventually I’ll do his trailing arm conversion

 

[DarkJuJu]

I wouldn't trade my yxz for any model currently offered, 3 peddles just hit different, plus I have so much $$$ I could never hope to see even half my investment back. Hope to drop the last few $$$ on a new front end, other than that she has every part Weller makes.

 

[Dcb.blake]

I wouldn't trade my yxz for any model currently offered, 3 peddles just hit different, plus I have so much $$$ I could never hope to see even half my investment back. Hope to drop the last few $$$ on a new front end, other than that she has every part Weller makes. View attachment 1275512

Do you have there turbo kit?

 

[yz450mm]

That’s pretty much what I’ve been running the last couple years. Tune and exhaust. The ability to shift makes up for tbt lack of Hp

These cars are very light so a small Hp gain wakes them up a lot!

If you don't do much sand riding, highly recommend the ultra lightweight flywheel.

Yamaha YXZ1000r / YXZ1000ss Ultralight Flywheel

Looking to build RPM faster in your Yamaha YXZ1000? Our Light Weight FlyWheel is for you! This mod really makes the YXZ1000 responsive.

teamalbaracing.com

 

[DarkJuJu]

Do you have there turbo kit?

I do, ran it both low boost on stock rods /w mild cams and 6lbs of boost and now with a built motor and 15lbs, and could crank up more if I wanted.

 

[Dcb.blake]

I do, ran it both low boost on stock rods /w mild cams and 6lbs of boost and now with a built motor and 15lbs, and could crank up more if I wanted.

Right on, was it a pretty big wake up adding the turbo from stock? What paddle setup did you run? I have a set of 30in 8 paddle skats but I’m definitely going to need bigger now

 

[rivermobster]

The people that did our suspension race close course and are sponsored by Can Am but used to race Yamahas, they say the Yamaha is much more fun to drive.

My BIL keeps saying I should look into these, but I'm pretty much sold on the Honda, IF I go down this road.

Cool project.

 

[Cooter01]

That’s what I came from. Been riding dirt bikes since 6 or so up until a few years ago. I do miss it but it got to a point where the stuff we were doing was going to eventually lead to some serious injurious. Billy goat trails, making our own trails high speeds. Also with everyone in sxs now I don’t trust people to not hit me, dangerous now days to be on a bike.

That being said that’s why I got the Yxz, that and I’m cheap and the cars are the most affordable . Car already had a cage shock therapy all rugged stuff nice rigid lights lowrance some other small stuff which I knew I was gonna have to pay for at some point. Ended up getting it for 11-12 back 3 years ago with 40hrs. His wife wanted a 4 seater…. Takes some money to get them up to par with the other cars but it comes about even in the end if you do it right. I like to adjust and tweak things so the Yxz was the better choice for me. Biggest thing is the suspension, take a look at avid utv his stuff is very nice and works. Wish he had been around when I was going the lt route on my car. Eventually I’ll do his trailing arm conversion

I am hoping to find a clean used one with some upgrades when I am ready. I see a few pop up time to time and wish I had the cash lol. I am with you, I like to adjust and tweak things as well, keeps me out of trouble. Keep the thread updated and look forward to the progress.

 

[yz450mm]

I am hoping to find a clean used one with some upgrades when I am ready. I see a few pop up time to time and wish I had the cash lol. I am with you, I like to adjust and tweak things as well, keeps me out of trouble. Keep the thread updated and look forward to the progress.

How soon are you ready and what are you looking to spend?

 

[DarkJuJu]

Right on, was it a pretty big wake up adding the turbo from stock? What paddle setup did you run? I have a set of 30in 8 paddle skats but I’m definitely going to need bigger now

I have 30" STU Blasters, 12 paddle and run STU tributes up front on Alba Baja Crusher wheels. Not quite as light as skats but I having less flex/squat in the tire, at least imo.

 

[Cooter01]

How soon are you ready and what are you looking to spend?

Oh not until March or so of 2023, have some stuff to pay off. Depends on the mod listed, I see some stock ones with the basic bolt ons (doors, lights, paddles, radio, etc) for $11-13k and than ones with turbos and suspension for $20-25k. Gotta do some thinking to buy one and install mods myself or get one turn key.

 

[yz450mm]

Oh not until March or so of 2023, have some stuff to pay off. Depends on the mod listed, I see some stock ones with the basic bolt ons (doors, lights, paddles, radio, etc) for $11-13k and than ones with turbos and suspension for $20-25k. Gotta do some thinking to buy one and install mods myself or get one turn key.

Cool, PM me when you're ready. I could be convinced to sell mine and pick up a 24, if the price was right.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Shipped the ecu off last week after talking to Weller, they flashed to stock or whatever they do and I upgraded to the power vision 3 with the dual sensors. Everything came in yesterday from Weller

we started harvesting yesterday so I didn’t get much time to do anything. I will say everything is pretty well labeled and corresponds with the instructions nicely.

Got some smaller stuff done, upper and lower throttle body lock downs on. Turbo hung, re routed a fuel line. Some oil lines done. Hoping to have everything done later today. Pretty nice kit from what I’ve seen. Only issue I would say I’ve had so far is the oil feed block could of been better designed. It’s machined and the way it’s designed the fitting has to be in the perfect position or the line won’t have enough clearance to spin on the fitting. I would of just changed the an line to a 90 degree fitting rather than the one you thread into the block. I’m sure it’s much cheaper going with the straight than the 90 so I understand. Everything seems to be good quality and packaged nicely.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Hammered down yesterday for a few hours and finished everything up!
Unfortunately I was not too impressed with everything and how it fit. Mostly referring to the air plumbing on all sides. Nothing really fit that well. Tubes hitting other tubes which over time will cause holes to be worn. I’m going to adjust some more and see if I can’t get a better fitment. Then some stuff they have you add an extension hose on with a union which works for now. I will end up just cutting a full length hose so there is no union. Did the dual sensor option and it made no mention of it in the instructions so they have you put all this stuff on just to take it back off to install it. Could of been better planned out but I know now.

Other than that it went pretty smooth. LOTS of hose clamps.

Would I order it again? Mmm not too sure I haven’t installed any other kits and haven’t put any miles on this one but from a install standpoint I would really consider the packard kit which I kinda wish I had gone that route ( they didn’t have a low boost tune).

Got it all fired up and took it for a couple runs down the road. It was late and the exhaust is very loud! Not sure how I’m going to like it long term time will tell. The power difference is insane to say the least! Didn’t get many dirt pills but the few I did holy shit!! Even on the road it was spinning tires (33s). As for now I’m happy, still need to clean some stuff up and finish mounting the air filter and maybe cut some hoses to adjust everything.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Got the turbo all buttoned up on Saturday, I am very happy with it so far! Plenty of power in the dirt and what I like most is I gained some torque down low which these cars really lack. I really like the gearing with the 33s so I don’t want to do any sort of reduction. If anything just first which I will see how it goes. Anyways great power throughout, very driveable in any range.

Shock tower mounts came in yesterday so I went and began chipping away after work. Didn’t get many pics per usual because I was by myself and I needed both hands lmao .

Pretty simple to do. I got the plates from oddball Motorsports. A guy had done All the geometry work on the Yxz forum and developed these plates. Ended up getting out of the offroad scene a few years ago so I had no way to contact him luckily I was able to track them down. Saved a lot of time and measurement. Lost some up travel as these cars at full bump only have about 3in from the bottom of skid plates to ground. Now add king travel and it gets worse. Cuts it down to about 1.5in which in dirt is nothing. So now relocating these should put me around the 4in mark. Which is good I was having alot of bottoming problems. May have to add some straps to the rear now to save the axles.

got everything tacked together and cycled to make sure everything has clearance. Only had to cut one branch on the upper arm for clearance purposes. I’ll add another one in down the road. Have to adjust the shocks then I’ll take it to the shop where I I have a bigger welder. Not too sure I trust the Miller 130 on something this crucial.

Pretty pumped and a lot easier then I thought it was going to be. May weld the insides with the smaller welder and take it for a small rip to see if I notice any ride difference. I’m sure the 130 would be fine if I went a little slower but I’d rather have the piece of mind.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Well got the insides welded and I don’t think I could of gotten any more lucky. The gas ran out .05 seconds before finishing my last bead. Not my typical luck normally it would be .05 seconds into the first bead.

Went for a little rip adjust the ride height and crossovers. Backed all adjustments out to make it as soft as possible as that seems to be the easiest starting point for me.

Way too stiff. The springs are just way way too stiff which I suspected going into this. Shitty thing is shock therapy (joke of a company for other reasons) puts their own part number on springs and will not give you the value on it. So with some deep research and communication I ordered a set of springs from eibach. I don’t have anyone local with a spring dyno so we will see. The only difference in the two cars in he has Weller “koh” valving and I have shock therapy’s. I figured the springs should at least get me somewhat close then I can work the valving off that. Went with a 200 main and 250 upper. The way it is now you can just feel anything any everything. Is it drivable yes, but way too harsh on the small stuff and all around.

 

[Bpracing1127]

Shock therapy “p/n” are just the spring rate backwards. Pretty simple actually

 

[Dcb.blake]

Shock therapy “p/n” are just the spring rate backwards. Pretty simple actually

Good to know! Do you know if they use a eibach spring? They look similar

 

[Dcb.blake]

As of currently I have in my notes 05328 for my rear upper, I think I transcribed it wrong to my notes. I believe it’s actually 05238 but I will find out later today. Hoping my original number that I wrote down is correct otherwise the coil I just ordered is the same as what I have now. 8in long 2in id and 250lb.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

As of currently I have in my notes 05328 for my rear upper, I think I transcribed it wrong to my notes. I believe it’s actually 05238 but I will find out later today. Hoping my original number that I wrote down is correct otherwise the coil I just ordered is the same as what I have now. 8in long 2in id and 250lb.

That’s a 8” long, 3” diameter, 350 lb ST spring, but it sounds like you figured that out already.

You ordered the same spring, just 100 lbs less.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Pulled the rear springs yesterday and come to find out my lower main spring is a 16 3 250. I was kinda shocked I figured it would be at least a 350. Everyone I talked to said they are around 300-400 main spring. The upper ended up being a 8 3 250. Not to sure dropping down 50lbs per corner on spring rate it going to be enough but I’ll give it a shot.

Also how will it work with the smaller upper coil being a 250 and unit longer lower spring being a 200? I’d sssume the lower spring will begin to compress first? If so will it present and issue?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Pulled the rear springs yesterday and come to find out my lower main spring is a 16 3 250. I was kinda shocked I figured it would be at least a 350. Everyone I talked to said they are around 300-400 main spring. The upper ended up being a 8 3 250. Not to sure dropping down 50lbs per corner on spring rate it going to be enough but I’ll give it a shot.

Also how will it work with the smaller upper coil being a 250 and unit longer lower spring being a 200? I’d sssume the lower spring will begin to compress first? If so will it present and issue?

It will function, but both springs are going to compress, not one then the other. You’ll be on the “combined” rate for longer, but your spring rate is going to get softer the more you compress and the upper spring locks out, not firmer.

 

[Dcb.blake]

It will function, but both springs are going to compress, not one then the other. You’ll be on the “combined” rate for longer, but your spring rate is going to get softer the more you compress and the upper spring locks out, not firmer.

I’ll see how it goes later today. All this stuff is foreign to me kinda learning as I go.

I’m thinking I should of went 200 and 200 on the springs. Im thinking the 100lb overall difference will still be too stiff? Not sure how much difference that will actually make

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I’ll see how it goes later today. All this stuff is foreign to me kinda learning as I go.

I’m thinking I should of went 200 and 200 on the springs. Im thinking the 100lb overall difference will still be too stiff? Not sure how much difference that will actually make

You will have a good idea after testing today. 100 lbs is a pretty decent swing.

 

[Dcb.blake]

You will have a good idea after testing today. 100 lbs is a pretty decent swing.

right on, I ordered through summit so a return shouldn’t be too bad. I normally run an ice chest and passenger which I didn’t have on the test ride so that may make it a bit softer?

 

[Bowtiepower00]

@Socalx09 runs one of these and has done some suspension tuning. Maybe she has some input on spring rates, etc, or even some springs laying around (I think they went heavier on her car because it’s always loaded with tools, etc)

 

[Socalx09]

Edit- just read the whole post and saw you already have shock therapy.

This is just my experience with our shocks.

I think we may have one of the heavier YXZs and it wasn’t meant to be this heavy.

We upgraded to eibachs stage 2 from the stock springs. It was a little better, but did not do the job. We had DC shocks revalve them, and a little better, but we were bottoming out in the dunes and desert. I will look in the garage if we still have them, but we might have given them away.

I called Eibach and talked to them. They didn’t make a stage 3 so we were maxed out. We went to King of Hammers to test out the supercharger, and talked to shock therapy about our issues. They said they could do it. We saved up some money and ordered the shocks last August. I actually believe the rears are RZR shocks because we looked up the model number. It was a night and day difference. Sometimes there are two larger men riding in it in Glamis and they only bottom out once the entire trip. The YXZ now rolls through Glamis and usually leads and since the suspension can keep up. It’s new nickname is “zippy” by the group.

Haha like @Bowtiepower00 said, we carry a lot of tools, spare tire, and crap because we both are paranoid and want to make sure we can fix our sxs and anyone else’s because we won’t leave anyone.

I’ll ask Robert when he gets home if he knows anything about the spring rate, and what actually was done with ST.. I just know we gave up on trying to do it ourselves.

our weight empty (includes tool box, spare tire, windshield, cooler, roof rack, 2 rotopak fuel packs, and aftermarket seats)
with no passengers and loaded with passengers.

I would recommended shock therapy since they were the ones who came up with custom springs for us. I think weller racing may as well.

Non related- we had a custom cover done for the radiator because there was no airflow with a windshield. We overheated constantly. It solved the problem.

Empty

LF 378

LR 590

RF 382

RR 610

Total 1960
Loaded

LF 431

LR 681

RF 470

RR 702

Total 2283

 

[Dcb.blake]

Finally gaining a little bit more confidence! The coils arrived today and I threw the bottom ones in and kept the ST upper coils in. I had already ordered the new coils by the time I decided the st spring rates. Thanks to @LargeOrangeFont

The new springs felt the same as the ST and looked it other than some fresh powder coat. Threw them in clocked the upper and lower springs 180 ( installed one of the plastic sliders upside down)installed the shocks and went for a small putt. What a difference!I was super skeptical of it not being enough and not changing anything at all, I was very wrong. I can actually feel The suspension working and feel more confident that the suspension will compress and not just recoil. All my adjustments are all the way backed out so that should be the softest setting. I plan to only carry an ice chest which ways no more than 50lbs loaded give or take. I used to run a spare tire but I’ve had better luck with a plug kit and small comp to get back to camp. Normally there will be 2 of us.

Got the ride height set somewhat close. The fender bracket was bent for some reason so that’s why the gap looks so off. It’s just a little piece of flat bar I’m sure sand could of bent it

I really like the ride but I think it’s going to be still a bit stiff on the smaller stuff. Going to throw some 200lb uppers in there and I think that will be right where I need to be. If everything goes as planned the 200s will be a little too soft and I can start to throw some high and low speed compression along with rebound into the mix and sort of counteract that a bit.

The guy I got suggestions from did all Oregon dunes and I think this combo would be perfect for that as he said. He had 200/200 setup and he said it was a bit soft hence why I went with the 250 uppers. For the desert riding I do I think 200/200 will be money. Poissibly 225 upper and 200 lower if they make them?



Plan to take to the shop this weekend and weld/finish boxing the shock mounts with the 252.

After than some of the rear suspension mounting hood need some attention. Plan to install some weld washers new bolts and heims if need be. Put about 2500 miles on this kit and it’s held up pretty well for the abuse. Didn’t plan on doing too much tlc to the rear as I planned to go to a trailing arm setup but that not going to happen, maybe next off season. The list never ends…..