new engine for 1500

[Bucko]

Drop in a MS 1600.  That would probably be noticeable .

[pcarrell]

6 extra hp, +12 N.m. of torque @ 2800 rpm.
Maybe on a lighter bike you might find a difference.
I would go with the Nomad engine.

aralph

Drifter 1500
Max Power
65 hp 47.4 kW @ 4700 rpm
Max Torque
112 Nm @ 3000 rpm

Meanstreak 1500
Max Power
72 hp 52.5 kW @ 5500 rpm
Max Torque
114 Nm @ 3000 rpm

A few more horses and a touch more torque, all higher up in the RPM band, would make a bit of a hot rod compared to a stock Drifter.  It's not going to make it a superbike or anything, but I'd bet you could tell the difference pretty easy.

[aralph]

A meanstreak engine would give you a hot rod.

6 extra hp, +12 N.m. of torque @ 2800 rpm.
Maybe on a lighter bike you might find a difference.
I would go with the Nomad engine.

aralph

[pcarrell]

The Drifter does have a unique cam grind, so there is that.  A Classic engine is pretty similar, aside from the cam grind.  Going with a Nomad engine though would allow you to upgrade the electrical system because of it's dual stator.  A meanstreak engine would give you a hot rod.

[Troll]

Pretty sure that any 1500 efi engine from any year is the same, including the mean streak. Crank case part numbers will tell you what will fit.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/kawasaki/KP-14001-5394.html

[vagabondjay]

do you know by chance if it has to be a 01 engine or can i go to a newer year engine?

[vagabondjay]

well I don't personally have  place to take on this project and I don't know if any dealers would touch it haven't went and asked some of the feed back I got from other vulcan owners was techs didn't like to rebuilt this model engine. I figured I could get a reman engine and have it put it

[Troll]

Why not just rebuild it? Any of the 1500 EFI engines will fit, but the cams are different , so the torque curve is different. If it were me, I'd just rebuild the original, but a Nomad engine might be the best choice for a replacement.

[vagabondjay]

hello everyone been awhile since i posted so my  01 1500 drifter has over 100k miles and lifters are starting to make noise and I have been missing 2nd gear for the past 50k miles I just skip it. but the bike is in great shape and I can either go buy a new bike or replace the engine. So my question is what is the newest year engine can i put in and does anyone have a good place to buy from? also will any of the vulcan 1500 engine fit? thanks for your time