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Honda blackbird engine swap
strikerbird - 12/8/14 at 10:55 AM

This year I've managed to space the hillclimb events I do apart enough to give me a chance to change engines in between, not ideal I know but the blackbird engine is turning out to be quite unreliable due to oil starving.
Is there another honda engine that would use the same cradle, exhaust etc? Fireblade or cbr1000?
Next year I intend to do a lot more events and reliability is quite important.
I must admit the engine in it now has lasted well but I blew 2 engines last year and the more grip I find and the faster I get the oil pressure gauge drops more often.
Dry dumping is out of the question others have still had trouble, mine is acusumped but I'm unsure of its effectiveness.
Hope someone can help.


probablyleon - 12/8/14 at 12:18 PM

I'm pretty sure all the mounts you currently have will be unique to the Blackbird. I went through the same conundrum a few years back, hoping a Fireblade might drop in with a minimum of modification, no such luck I'm afraid.


daniel mason - 12/8/14 at 05:06 PM

Why not dry sump the bird? Think there's a kit for sale on uphillracers at the moment!


strikerbird - 12/8/14 at 07:56 PM

Indybird spent a lot building a dry sumped bird engine and it still blew.
I might be interested in trying it but can't find it on uphillracers


INDY BIRD - 12/8/14 at 08:19 PM

They are a good engine with good power,

But if i was you i would invest my money else where,

As its not just the dry sump required you need to remove balance shafts etc as they share oil galleries,I would look to go with a modern type bike engine as re make a cradle as this will be more cost effective in the long run,

Best of luck,

ps if it was a road car id say stick with the bird but track or race with sticky tyre = bang



I should know