Engine shopping

AWolf34

AWolf34

Location
Saginaw, Michigan
I'm hoping to finally get off this 701 soon and I'm having a hard time choosing between an Xscream ss900 or a PHP 898. I've ridden both in multiple different skis and it's clear that setup and tuning can really make all the difference in the world. I'd really like to save as much money as I can, and that's where my concern with PHP comes in. The ss900 is proven to rip with 46s, stock electronics, and pump gas. I haven't once seen or heard of any PHP setup with anything other than Novi 48s, tl, and race gas. Has anyone ever had any success with an 898 with stock electronics on pump gas? I'm hoping to buy one of these motors and buy bigger carbs and total loss some day down the road, but I want to make sure I'll be happy in the meantime. I like the fact the PHP guys are somewhat near-by and they've taken great care of some of my friends. I also think the stroker motor would out perform the ss when both are setup with the preferable goods. Or am I wrong?
 
Jetfiend

Jetfiend

Location
PNW
Have you considered the TPE 964? That would be my first choice for a pump gas setup, I rode @mike b setup last year and his 964 ripped in his chan! Now he's ripping around multiple combos on his pump gas 1105. It's got me looking as I drop $8/gallon for VP110 :(
 
AWolf34

AWolf34

Location
Saginaw, Michigan
I've seen some videos recently of those things flying! It's crossed my mind before, but due to seeing some other Michigan riders have some issues with theirs (not trying to open a can of worms here. I'm sure their still great engines, just stating what I've seen), I'll probably be sticking between php and xscream. Plus, I'd like to stay AM legal. I'd probably try an ET1107 if i went anything over 900.
 
clouse22

clouse22

BDB Kustomz
Site Supporter
Location
Lake Orion, MI
@AWolf34 Ive owned both the Xscream SS900 and the PHP898 and have experienced a wide range of different setups over the last three years. In my opinion, both are a great option as a first freestyle motor. I have ran the SS865 on pump gas and a 144 with 46s, all the way to the PHP898 on full race gas and the 155 mag pump and experienced just about every step/mod in between. I still have the pump gas domes for my 898 on my shelf ready to drop in at any second and actually have been curious to give them another try. Once you've rode an 898 on full race (which i know you have multiple times) its hard to work up the effort to go backwards.

**The comments below are just from my personal experience. I have nothing but good things to say about both PHP and XS, as both companies have treated me great over the years**

I have a buddy, @delongsc that has a Rok-R with the PHP on pump gas and it rips with dual 46s. Last year we were easily flipping with a b-pipe and stock electronics with an enhancer.

As @N3vrSat1sfied said, the PHP is going to give you the best bang for the buck and if you plan to add the supporting parts like you say above, that motor is going to have much more potential in the long haul than the SS900.

Back in 2014 i did a back to back test with exactly the same parts on both motors, both on pump gas, both with powerfactors run dry, same prop, same ignition, same pump, same hull. The 898 was more powerful, end of story. In my opinion, this should be the result when you compare a stock stroke to a 4-mil stroke.

Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions, Id be happy to help.

-Bobby

Attached pic is PHP898 on pump gas
 

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AWolf34

AWolf34

Location
Saginaw, Michigan
I'll be honest. I wasn't expecting to hear much about this comparison, but you just said everything I was hoping to hear. Thanks for taking the time to write that up. I think I know which one to search hardest for when the time comes. Maybe someday I can put a ss900 in my surf ski so I can have best of both worlds lol.
 
N3vrSat1sfied

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
I forgot that Bobby and I switched off last year when he was on pump gas I was on race. He had Yamaha 155 pump and I had kawi 155 pump. The comparison wasn't like a night and day, but you could feel the race has had much more snap even in the heavier EME hull vs the dvx.

I won't knock scream because they do make a great product that I'm sure you would be happy with. I just know in my experience Zachs engine gives you so much more value! His customer service is unbeatable and his work is amazing. If you're at torch this year ride my skis. You will never guess the freak only has a php760! It feels like way more and it was nearly a grand cheaper than all the competitors prices.

As far as the tpe comment, this isn't a insult to them or their product and is not a bash, just a comparison! They make a strong powerful engine!!! but they have to many hands in their pot imo. My buddy blew a crank bearing the day after I did in my PHP. I had my PHP back in 3 weeks. His tpe is going on atleast 2 months and still waiting. From my understanding, they use competitive to build cranks, who uses PHP cranks or adr, so there's 3 companies you have to wait on. Where with Zach it's his setup, he has a local guy build his cranks and 9/10 times he has everything including full engines in stock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
AWolf34

AWolf34

Location
Saginaw, Michigan
Thanks dude. I'm happy to hear someone had good success on a cheaper setup and pump gas. That was a big deciding factor to me. I'll be at Torch next weekend with you guys as long as I can get my top end rebuilt in time.
 
krash45p

krash45p

Location
US
Et 1107 or 964 best bang for your buck i have the 1107 good torquey power

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
mike b

mike b

Michael "Mayhem" Bevacqua aka MikeyChan
Location
California
Like @Jetfiend said I had a TPE 964 and now on a 1105 and loved both motors. Never had to use race gas either which is awesome becuase i can go to the lake for the day for about $15-20. Its tough to purchase a motor when people are far away, I am across country from TPE. But right out of the box I had motors, specs, and carb tuning to the T. Never tried to mess with anything because the power was there. This year I got my 1105 tuned and it was scary. I'm moving to their 900 motor and that is because they build a solid motor with even better customer support.

As you said its all about the tuning with these motors, so just because people around you had issues doesn't mean anything more than they had issues. PHP motors and TPE have many tuning specs for 48s and 49s so when someone throws 46s in a motor it is more difficult to get the performance out of your motor, not that it can't be done, just not as much fun to mess around with that stuff. I haven't heard of more issues with one motor than another. Everyone has issues somewhere, usually when they don't run the recommended bolt ons.

Because you have so much influence up there and close to PHP just get one of there motors as you will have people to copy off of and be able to expect what they have. But take it from experience to run all the bolt ons recommended and not change from a proven setup otherwise you will just have a loud motor, lighter pockets, and a look of jealousy on your face lol
 
AWolf34

AWolf34

Location
Saginaw, Michigan
Agreed 100%. If your going to do it, do it right the first time. I've been through enough headaches already. This sport has come a long way. Lots of good options out there. And yes, me being from Michigan, I would choose PHP due to them being neighbors and having multiple different riders to copy specs off of. I just think it'd be the smart thing to do. I give props to any builders out there trying to make a name and trying to give more options to this sport. And I'll admit, the videos I see of some of these TPE motors are very impressive. Especially Leftly launching to the moon on the new 1200. Thanks to everyone for their mature responses and not making this a pissing match. I just might start using this forum more often again. Cheers
 
Jhucke

Jhucke

Location
Wisconsin
I have no dog in this fight but aren't you more interested in where the engines bulk power will come on? TPE and PHP are opposite ends of the spectrum with what the respective builders tell you to run for supporting parts.. Dont know about xscream
 
AWolf34

AWolf34

Location
Saginaw, Michigan
N3vrSat1sfied said:
Adam if you want a scream lets split this XScream DVX 900r Pro Am Ski

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http://www.x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/XScream-DVX-900r-Pro-Am-Ski.175077/&share_tid=175077&share_fid=3076&share_type=t
I'll take the hull and pole :)
Click to expand...

Can we please!? You really should have two DVX's on hand at all times. Plus, my parts won't be here on time for the freeride, so I'm in desperate need of that motor lol.

Jhucke said:
I have no dog in this fight but aren't you more interested in where the engines bulk power will come on? TPE and PHP are opposite ends of the spectrum with what the respective builders tell you to run for supporting parts.. Dont know about xscream
Click to expand...

Yes and no. I'm no master tuner or anything, so I was just trying to compare those two specific motors because there's enough of them around here, that i know i could get some help at any given time if i ever had any issues. And if worse came to worse, PHP is just a 5 hour drive to get it dialed to it's max capability.
 
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