Drifter F/A value

[motorman_55792]

So I just picked up a very nice 1980 Drifter F/A and have been given a 500 fan Spirit from a 1986 Arctic Cat Cougar. I know the stock engine is only 28 horsepower which doesn't really match up to it's fast looks. My question is this: is the value of this in very good stock condition enough that cutting a hole in the belly pan for a tuned exhaust to exit would kill the value or desirability to someone?

[gixxer6]

No, as long as it's not an all original in excellent condition. 

[gixxer6]

I've always wanted to stuff a 440FA from an old Arctic Cat Z into one of those.   

[motorman_55792]

I found a quad plug El Tigre 440 in bad shape but with a good motor and I was considering doing that swap too. The 500 fan Spirit motor just fell into my lap though. I figured I could run it with no shrouds in that sled since it's so light and make it look pretty close to stock anyway.

[motorman_55792]

No, as long as it's not an all original in excellent condition.

It is in very good condition and original except for the seat cover.

[gixxer6]

I found a quad plug El Tigre 440 in bad shape but with a good motor and I was considering doing that swap too. The 500 fan Spirit motor just fell into my lap though. I figured I could run it with no shrouds in that sled since it's so light and make it look pretty close to stock anyway.

I like keeping it all Kawasaki, otherwise you might as well just do an LS swap.   

[motorman_55792]

I found a quad plug El Tigre 440 in bad shape but with a good motor and I was considering doing that swap too. The 500 fan Spirit motor just fell into my lap though. I figured I could run it with no shrouds in that sled since it's so light and make it look pretty close to stock anyway.

I like keeping it all Kawasaki, otherwise you might as well just do an LS swap.   

I agree. The T7 Kawasaki eltigre 440 engine would be my first choice. The Spirit 500 engine is free, though.

Has anyone tried an eltigre exhaust ('74ish) on the stock engine for a smaller improvement? I think with that pipe and a set of twin carbs it should be about 35 horse which would be a nice improvement.

[kawhead]

I was thinking a 440 drifter motor,no shrouds or fan, trim heads to run fins fore/aft.....f/a tiger motors are hard to find here

[gixxer6]

I was thinking a 440 drifter motor,no shrouds or fan, trim heads to run fins fore/aft.....f/a tiger motors are hard to find here

Could possibly do the same with an Intruder motor for even more HP.  Fitting a pipe would be tricky though...

[kawhead]

and 2 carbs with the driven clutch in the way makes an intruder motor problematic

[gixxer6]

The 540 yamaha with dual carbs fit ok, I wouldn't think the Intruder motor would be much different? 

[motorman_55792]

I still like the 4:40 freeway from an El Tigre. The motor just says Kawasaki on it nowhere does it say Arctic Cat. All Kawasaki even thought the motor was used somewhere else. You can't find hardly any Kawasaki sleds around here anyway.

[kawhead]

if I had a f/a that's the way I'd go... I have an intruder motor and several drifters.....may look into that