Carb to Fuel Injected

friedrice2841 · 07-31-2013, 10:29 AM

I was told that I needed a new motor in my 99 Nomad. It was run with low oil, and motors needs to be rebuilt. The estimated cost on this is $2500 - $3000.

Given that it is hard to find a Kawasaki 1500 carbed motor, I was thinking of buying a FI motor.

Has anyone on this forum gone from a carbed motor to FI?
If so, what is needed to make the conversion?
Also, is trying to do this work on a 99 a dumb idea?

I welcome input from all on this, especially the last question.

Thanks!
Tim

**ringadingh** · 07-31-2013, 12:32 PM

A few fellas have done this, any Nomad motor from 99 to 08 will fit. Youll have to drill and tap a hole for the carb to fit on an FI motor, other than that its a straight swap.
Go with a newer motor with lower miles and you should be fine.

cactusjack · 07-31-2013, 01:30 PM

Steve, I think he's asking if he can convert his 99 to fuel injection?

IF it's even possible, it would require more than just a motor. A fuel tank from a fuel injected bike, wiring harness and ECU at a minimum.

friedrice2841 · 07-31-2013, 04:15 PM

yes Catusjack, you are on the right path

What does it take to do the conversion?

**ringadingh** · 07-31-2013, 04:30 PM

Sorry, I mis read the post. You would require a ton of stuff to convert it over, such as a ECM, wiring harness, motor & FI unit, sensors, fuel tank, etc. I think it would be a huge job to undertake successfully, if something didn't work right when you finished, I think it would be hard to troubleshoot. To me it wouldn't be worth the effort.

friedrice2841 · 07-31-2013, 05:24 PM

I have found a couple of carbed motors, now the question is do I want to sink the money into a 14 yr old bike.

cactusjack · 07-31-2013, 05:35 PM

That's the question you have to answer yourself. You've already sunk money into it when you bought it. I don't know what you paid for it or how much a motor costs. Personally, I wouldn't buy a 14 year old bike in the first place.

friedrice2841 · 08-01-2013, 09:08 AM

I can get a motor for around $1300, and it will be another $400 for labor for the install.

**ringadingh** · 08-01-2013, 10:26 AM

That sounds pretty reasonable, it took me about 12 hours to swap motors.

friedrice2841 · 08-01-2013, 10:29 AM

i am not mechanically inclined enough to do the motor swap; the shop says it is a 5.5 hour job

**MAS Tequila** · 08-01-2013, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friedrice2841

I was told that I needed a new motor in my 99 Nomad. It was run with low oil, and motors needs to be rebuilt. The estimated cost on this is $2500 - $3000.

Given that it is hard to find a Kawasaki 1500 carbed motor, I was thinking of buying a FI motor.

Has anyone on this forum gone from a carbed motor to FI?
If so, what is needed to make the conversion?
Also, is trying to do this work on a 99 a dumb idea?

I welcome input from all on this, especially the last question.

Thanks!
Tim

What is wrong with the current engine?

I have done the swap a few times and other than drilling and tapping two holes it is a straight swap.

Converting to FI would be a huge undertaking, not to mention extremely expensive.

MT

VulcanE · 08-01-2013, 12:26 PM

Sounds like if you want to keep the bike, the easiest and most cost effective thing to do would be to get the engine of your choice (1500/1600) and adapt your carbed intake to it, then all your electronics will work.

**ringadingh** · 08-01-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friedrice2841

i am not mechanically inclined enough to do the motor swap; the shop says it is a 5.5 hour job

Perhaps it could be done in that time, but if you spend some time cleaning stuff up I think it will take you a lot longer.
I had my motor out of the bike and on the floor in an hour & 45 minutes, and about 10 hours to install the new motor.

macmac · 08-01-2013, 05:58 PM

What's a half decent 99 Nad going for these days? If cash value is a matter he may be better off with another bike.

Is the bike worth the engine? I agree If he wants the bike no matter what, the injected engine converted to a carb is the way to go.

danimal2 · 08-01-2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

What's a half decent 99 Nad going for these days? If cash value is a matter he may be better off with another bike.

I paid $3900 for mine two years ago. Oddly enough they're still selling for around $3500-$4000 here in Arizona. Or at least that's what they're asking for them.

99 Nomad

07-31-2013, 10:29 AM	#1
friedrice2841 Jr. Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	Carb to Fuel Injected I was told that I needed a new motor in my 99 Nomad. It was run with low oil, and motors needs to be rebuilt. The estimated cost on this is $2500 - $3000. Given that it is hard to find a Kawasaki 1500 carbed motor, I was thinking of buying a FI motor. Has anyone on this forum gone from a carbed motor to FI? If so, what is needed to make the conversion? Also, is trying to do this work on a 99 a dumb idea? I welcome input from all on this, especially the last question. Thanks! Tim Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-31-2013, 12:32 PM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	A few fellas have done this, any Nomad motor from 99 to 08 will fit. Youll have to drill and tap a hole for the carb to fit on an FI motor, other than that its a straight swap. Go with a newer motor with lower miles and you should be fine. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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07-31-2013, 01:30 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Steve, I think he's asking if he can convert his 99 to fuel injection? IF it's even possible, it would require more than just a motor. A fuel tank from a fuel injected bike, wiring harness and ECU at a minimum. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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07-31-2013, 04:30 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Sorry, I mis read the post. You would require a ton of stuff to convert it over, such as a ECM, wiring harness, motor & FI unit, sensors, fuel tank, etc. I think it would be a huge job to undertake successfully, if something didn't work right when you finished, I think it would be hard to troubleshoot. To me it wouldn't be worth the effort. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-31-2013, 05:35 PM	#7
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	That's the question you have to answer yourself. You've already sunk money into it when you bought it. I don't know what you paid for it or how much a motor costs. Personally, I wouldn't buy a 14 year old bike in the first place. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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07-31-2013, 04:15 PM	#4
friedrice2841 Jr. Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	yes Catusjack, you are on the right path What does it take to do the conversion?
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07-31-2013, 05:24 PM	#6
friedrice2841 Jr. Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	I have found a couple of carbed motors, now the question is do I want to sink the money into a 14 yr old bike.
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08-01-2013, 09:08 AM	#8
friedrice2841 Jr. Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	I can get a motor for around $1300, and it will be another $400 for labor for the install.
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08-01-2013, 10:26 AM	#9
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	That sounds pretty reasonable, it took me about 12 hours to swap motors. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-01-2013, 10:29 AM	#10
friedrice2841 Jr. Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 31	i am not mechanically inclined enough to do the motor swap; the shop says it is a 5.5 hour job
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08-01-2013, 12:26 PM	#12
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Sounds like if you want to keep the bike, the easiest and most cost effective thing to do would be to get the engine of your choice (1500/1600) and adapt your carbed intake to it, then all your electronics will work. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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08-01-2013, 05:58 PM	#14
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	What's a half decent 99 Nad going for these days? If cash value is a matter he may be better off with another bike. Is the bike worth the engine? I agree If he wants the bike no matter what, the injected engine converted to a carb is the way to go. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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