Hello Guys, My names Hunter and I just acquired a 80's Kawasaki 440 Stand up Jet Ski. It needs a jug and a whole lot more.. It is rough but I do plan on it running before summer.. I was told to drop a 650 SX motor in it immediately because the 440's are dogs... I race motocross so I don't plan on this being to difficult and would like to have a Ski with more balls when I get used to riding it... Anyways I need help with where to find parts and what to do.. Do i drop a 650 in it? Or do I rebuild the 440? I can't find any parts for the 440 like I can every other motor... Why is that? Where do I go for parts.. I will include pictures and everything else because I plan on building this on my own...
Newb Need Help
- Thread starter HunterOnFire
- Start date
- Location
- Springfield, MO
Depending on your size, a 440 is really small. I'm 6'2" 215 and the 440 took a lot to get me up on plane. 650's are good motors and can be had for cheap. I've seen Kawi TS sitdown skis with a 650 motor for like $250 on CL. You'll need a conversion plate that can be bought for around $100ish. I think Watcon has them.
I am 5'9'' and still growing haha 135 lbs. So i should do the 650 swap?
- Location
- Springfield, MO
From what I've read, swapping a 650 into a 440 is OK, but the pump on a 440 is too small for the 650, so you might run into problems there. If you could find a 650 cheap enough, I'd say go for it. Truthfully, I wouldn't spend a ton of money on it either way. IMO, as far as vintage hulls, the 550sx would be a better starting point for a swap.