SX/SXi/SXi Pro SBT Motors?

[Bmedlin85]

I am starting to get more spare time away from work so its time to start wrenching on the SXi. Now, the motor needs a COMPLETE rebuild. I have priced out the parts and they come up to be more than what I can get an SBT motor for. I am not going to be racing or anything like that. I am just learning to ride at the moment. I am thinking that SBT is going to be my best option. I have heard mixed opinions on these motors, some good and some bad... just like everything else. What are some of yall's opinions on them? Thanks

 

[teddy]

that price is with a "rebuildable core exchange".. another words your sending them your motor and buying a rebuilt motor.

 

[Kny21]

SBT crank = OK option. SBT everything else = not an OK option.


IMO I'd get a new crank from them and a Wiseco or ProX top end kit of ebay, grab a manual and do the work yourself.

 

[tor*p*do]

even their cranks seals suck
got a (non SBT) rebuilt motor with SBT crank and seals
the seals spit out at 20 hours
I redid it with oem seals, still running strong

 

[Fro Diesel]

even their cranks seals suck
got a (non SBT) rebuilt motor with SBT crank and seals
the seals spit out at 20 hours
I redid it with oem seals, still running strong

I have reused oem crankseals with success. I have seen sbt crankseals turn to junk in way less than 20 hrs.

I second the sbt crank opinion, though. Good for what it is worth.

Probably a good time to call jetmaniac. He is a one stop shop and you can get your sbt crank from him, too. Let him deal with sbt. Get your oem crank seals and pistons all from the same guy!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[BlastinGaston]

I had good luck with my SJ 650 i got from them,good running motor never had a prob with it in 4 seasons. the only thing i had a prob with was the paint,it started flacking off pretty bad in the 2nd season. other than that i thought it was money well spent just to get riding.

 

[Matt_E]

I've been installing SBT engines and top ends for a few years and have yet to see a failure on those.
Saw one crank fail and starters and bendixes.

 

[tor*p*do]

a friend of mine got a TS640 motor from SBT
it also spit out the crank seals. after looking at cost to ship vs seal and gasket kit,
I helped him redo it.
ran good AFAIK until he sold it

 

[zwaysfs]

SBT EQUALS CRAP I installed one for a guy after telling him not to buy it. I put a brand new aluminum flywheel. The motor didn't even see water before the crank seal fell out and some how seized the motor messed up the flywheel and oem bendix. Their motor destroyed brand new parts. They gave the guy a new motor but who is going to pay for the flywheel and the bendix.

 

[chriselmore_1]

What caused the motor to fail initially?

 

[Vumad]

I have reused oem crankseals with success. I have seen sbt crankseals turn to junk in way less than 20 hrs.

I second the sbt crank opinion, though. Good for what it is worth.

Probably a good time to call jetmaniac. He is a one stop shop and you can get your sbt crank from him, too. Let him deal with sbt. Get your oem crank seals and pistons all from the same guy!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

x2. I haven't purchased a Motor from JetManiac but I'd certainly feel comfortable doing business with him.

I'd do a SBT motor on a budget but otherwise I would rebuild it myself. My understanding is SBT has different porting and their stock compression is 140. The idea being it prolongs the life of their motors under warrenty. I haven't had a SBT motor but I wouldn't want a motor built to be reserved.

 

[Idok]

I've been installing SBT engines and top ends for a few years and have yet to see a failure on those.
Saw one crank fail and starters and bendixes.

agreed...

 

[chriselmore_1]

Allot of people blow up their engines... Then just get a sbt crank to end or short block. Bolt it back up and go ride without actually fixing out finding out what actually caused the motor to blow up in the first place... I.e. lean condition plugged water line ect. They them blow up the new motor and blame it on sbt. Yea it's a known fact their crank seals are garbage.. But I know allot of people that have bran running any stuff for a long time with no problems...

 

[JetManiac]

Allot of people blow up their engines... Then just get a sbt crank top end or short block. Bolt it back up and go ride without actually fixing out finding out what actually caused the motor to blow up in the first place... I.e. lean condition plugged water line ect. They then blow up the new motor and blame it on sbt. Yea it's a known fact their crank seals are garbage.. But I know allot of people that have bran running any stuff for a long time with no problems...

Well said. Dont know about their crank seals though.

 

[djkorn1]

I've been running the cranks for about 10 years. No probs. I would just buy a crank and rebuild it yourself with a topend from wiseco. There really isn't that much to it.

 

[nightrider05]

My personal opinion:

If I have good clean cases(no welds,repairs or fixed bolt holes), and good cylinder(s) I will rebuild the stuff myself. What I don't like is that you could be getting someone elses junk back if you send good stuff in...meaning you may send in cases and cylinders that have no issues with bolt holes and no previous damage, but you could receive back welded cases with helicoils in them.

As a plus though SBT also accepts broken cylinder sleeves with no additional charge..this is great because you can get a new top end without having to pay for a sleeve.

There are pros and cons. If you have a good rebuildable motor, I would personally choose to build with quality parts, and be happy knowing how the motor went together...even if it cost me a tad more in the long run.

 

[Bmedlin85]

Thanks for all the reply's. I guess the general consensus would be to get a crank from them and do the rebuild myself, even if it does cost a little more in the long run. I can do the work, I was just trying to get out cheaper... not always my best decision. I def do not want to get a motor that has had allot of repairs. Plus I would like to keep my motor # to match the title. As far as MY parts go... My cylinders have to be bored due to a pretty deep gouge in the front one (piston came apart). Also, there were pieces of the piston in the bottom end so I am hoping that the motor stopped before to much damage was done. I bought the ski not running from the original owner. It is a 95 and has NEVER had a rebuild... or so I was told.

Another question... does anyone know what size bolt I would need to pull that flywheel? I was going to order the tool from SBT or somewhere else but if I can pick up a bolt from the local hardware store I will just do that. Thanks

 

[MASSEY]

My personal opinion:

If I have good clean cases(no welds,repairs or fixed bolt holes), and good cylinder(s) I will rebuild the stuff myself. What I don't like is that you could be getting someone elses junk back if you send good stuff in...meaning you may send in cases and cylinders that have no issues with bolt holes and no previous damage, but you could receive back welded cases with helicoils in them.

As a plus though SBT also accepts broken cylinder sleeves with no additional charge..this is great because you can get a new top end without having to pay for a sleeve.

There are pros and cons. If you have a good rebuildable motor, I would personally choose to build with quality parts, and be happy knowing how the motor went together...even if it cost me a tad more in the long run.

Well said, Except its always cheeper in the long run... Having to open it back up again to fix something you cheeped out on is a crappy feeling!

 

[dbattersby20]

there was a bolt in sears that i thought might've been the right size. i wasn't sure on the thread count though. it's like $5.50, i ended up ordering the correct piece from amazon for $9.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

My personal opinion:

If I have good clean cases(no welds,repairs or fixed bolt holes), and good cylinder(s) I will rebuild the stuff myself. What I don't like is that you could be getting someone elses junk back if you send good stuff in...meaning you may send in cases and cylinders that have no issues with bolt holes and no previous damage, but you could receive back welded cases with helicoils in them.

As a plus though SBT also accepts broken cylinder sleeves with no additional charge..this is great because you can get a new top end without having to pay for a sleeve.

There are pros and cons. If you have a good rebuildable motor, I would personally choose to build with quality parts, and be happy knowing how the motor went together...even if it cost me a tad more in the long run.

I agree with Hasselhoff :wavey: