650 vs 701x

[michael950]

I know everyone shoots for a boat with the 701, but what benefits are there when upgrading from a 650 to 61x 701?

Is there a benefit for the added cost to upgrade?

 

[Mouthfulloflake]

yes, and no.

last year I swapped out my tried and true 650 for a 701x engine.

is it stronger? - YES
is it massive difference? NO For sure noticebly, but NOT a giant leap

same pipe, same impeller, same pump, just swapped engines.
im building a dual carb ported 760 right now, the 650 satisfied me for years, and was stronger than most 650s ive ridden.

so maybe my test wasnt really a fair one.

my 650 had 185 psi, the 701 engine had stock compression.
BUt the 701 also had a better carb on it.

I suggest upgrade for CHEAP, or just go big and skip the X motor all together.

 

[brett]

my x-motor with a head and bpipe hits pretty hard

 

[thegoldenboy]

getting a 701 you have a better platform for building, it runs well and is powerful enough for most riders in stock form (maybe add a pipe), and if you need to get out of the sport you can still sell it for something.

The 650 you'd have to basically give away, they are not worh much used.

 

[brett]

my first sj was a 93 ssquare with a 650,westcoast head and b-pipe. much less power than my current setup, although on top it was close

 

[Boris]

I'm with Mouthfull on this one.
My 650 with a pipe (and some other goodies) did quite well for me.
I would swap skis with my friend who had a piped 701 and there was a difference but not a HUGE one.
If anything my 650 had a cleaner bottom end, similar mid range and would lose out on top.

If there's a deal on a square but you pass it up because the square has a 650 than it's your loss.

Having said that, I love my current motor and there's no way that I would ever want to go back to the 650 days.

 

[dirkdiggler]

I did the swap and am not very impressed. Everyone will say the 701 is better for building up, which is true, but in stock form.......650 vs. 701........not a big difference.

 

[sflsurfrider]

stock for stock, not a big diff in single carb 701x's and 650's.

the x shines upon modification, whereas the 650 benefits relatively slightly.