hi have got my eye on a zx1200 ninja engine and all the running gear was just wondering are they a good engine for a bec what mods are needed to make them run reliably and what are they like to fit as this is my first build plan was a r1 engine but this should be better shouldnt it ? any help please adam

I was sold onto this engine by Messrs Hellfire and ImpPaul. I've no doubt either or both will be along shortly to add their two penneth, before some nut asks why you aint going CEC.

For me (a bloke with a fair bit of "bulk" to carry round) I wanted something with a bit more torque. For the money you get Busa level BHP and perhaps a scratch more torque. I bought my block off Malc - Yorkshire Engines and he reckons it's one of the easier engines to fit, mainly from a wiring point of view. As it stands I can't really comment on ease of install as it's just sat in it's mountings at the mo, not connected to owt.


[Edited on 3/4/08 by eznfrank]

Firstly Adam welcome and what a cracking engine you are considering... namely the ZX12!

Mods are minor but essential if you are to track it... sum chop and baffle minimum. INstall though not "easy" is quite simple if you have already done one and realise the logic behind the wiring. It depends on the type of ZX12 engine you go for but some of the earlier ones had a few issues. I cant recall but my brother Phil researched this deeper than I so has a better grasp of the engine denominations and flaws.

The engine is pretty easy to fit and it's great to drive (so I'm told! LOL - I dont drive it much on the road!)

Steve

its a 2001 engine all the r1's that i have seen are quite expensive and these zx12 ones seem to be a good price but with the added power and torque do they need dry sumping like the busa engine will be mostly for sunday blasts and the rare trackday untill i get the track bug haha

Mine is the early block (01) and I have just arranged for sump to be chopped by about 1.5 - 2ins, and modded pick up. Depends how they do it but may not need extra baffles as has baffles anyway.

I'm not planning on too much on track but may go dry at later stage.

hello and welcome to the nut house yer zx12r top engine lots of power for your Penny's if any 1 wants a modded sump and pickup i have 1 up for sale and as your engine is from malc it will be a good 1 and for all your power mods MB CUSTOMS ARE MASIVE

IMHO - for what you are intending using it for, no dry sump is needed. Disclaimer: No responsibility will be accepted if it all goes t!ts up though!

Steve

Quick related question, sorry to hijack but adam might like to know this too - is it a good idea to fit an oil cooler for a zx12 engine for mixed track and road use? I know kwak stuck one on the zx14 which i beleive replaced the zx12, was wondering if this might increase engine life.

You could fit an oil cooler to the ZX12R but IMO it's not really necessary. The ZX12R engine is designed to run hot but adequate cooling can easily be achieved without resorting to an oil cooler.

Phil

its a rubbish engine and you should sell me it for £10.

cracking choice of engine there mate from what i've learned you cant go wrong with a zx12
all the best

alrite chaps i was running a zx1200 in a bec untill i took it to anglesy last week ,there is a serious 100mph+ bend which my swinging oil pick up cudnt keep up with the oil surge and siezed up .i ve got another zx12 to put in this time im goin to fit an accusump and an oil pressure gauge .for 300 quid should safe the day from what i have read about them.bec dont like long fast corners ,beware.

We've done Anglesey International circuit a few times now without any problems whatsoever. I presume the bend you're talking about is 'Church'?

We have a modified sump with a baffle plate and uprated PRV in our ZX12R and run with a slight overfill of oil. Just out of interest, is your swinging oil pickup a full 360 degree pick-up?

Phil

[Edited on 6-5-11 by Hellfire]

Go for it, i've just changed from a 05R1 to a 09 ZZR14 and as much as it was a lot of work. but was 100000% worth it.
the torque alone put a real smile on my face. and when two up it's the same performance

this is the info that i was sent
I've just dug up some info from an old post of mine;

"The ZX12R was launched in 2000, this particular model is known as the A1 model. This was the only model that is derestricted for top speed as standard. All later models are restricted to 186mph, although models upto 2003 can be de-restricted with a Muzzy Bonneville Box.

The A models made in 2000 & 2001 (A1-A2) have a lighter crank than the 2002 -2005 models (B1-B4). The lighter crank helps the engine to spin up quicker, but it also increases engine braking. Kawasaki beefed up the crank in the B models which makes them smoother to drive with less engine braking, thereby maintaining engine speed through corners off the throttle.

In 2001, the ZX12R got different cams and different throttle boots along with the electronic limiter (186mph). All else remained the same. The 2001's were said to make the same top end power but have a little more grunt in midrange.

In 2002, the ZX12R got a major revamp. These are the 2nd generation 12's (The B models). The important engine upgrades for BEC's are the heavier crank and oval throttle pulley.

In 2003, the engine remained the same.

In 2004 the ZX12R got a few more upgrades:
Secondary throttle blades (probably slows the airflow but smooths out throttle response)
New fuel/timing map in the ECU and 32bit instead of 16

2005, same as 2004.

The differences between the A and B models is said to be definately noticable. The B model is smoother, and easier to control on the throttle mid corner. The A model was however more 'raw' but not any quicker.

You'll not go wrong with any model of ZX12R but IMO, the 2004 & 2005 engines are slightly more refined."

^^^ I sent you that ^^^

Phil

quote:

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Originally posted by Hellfire
^^^ I sent you that ^^^

Phil

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Ditto on the swing pickup.
If it's a full 360 deg rotating pickup I'm surprised it didn't work, i've seen people fit swing pickup sumps that have been designed for drag racing motorbikes and have a limited range of rotation.