Versys Cam

[RossP]

I've come across a older post which hints about using Versys cam(s?) in a 650R/ER6 motor. I'm guessing that there were more details on this mod in the old forum, and it has now been lost.

So if anyone has any info to share - is it both cams or just intake, any other head/port work needed or sugested, timing etc - I'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance,
Ross

[Clayslayer]

I'm not a complete tekkie about this and there would be others who could answer better than I but the Versys was "tuned for low to midrange power". In plain english that means that it was lower lift on the valves and less duration adding some torque on the bottom end at the expense of horsepower on the top end. The Versys cam will move your power curve to the left a little bit.

Since the engines are basically identical I'd say that the mod could be done, if you feel so inclined to do so, but I'd question why it'd be worth it in the first place. It'd be costly and time consuming and any benefit would be fairly small. The cost:benefit ratio just doesn't pan out in my opinion.

I'd pm one of the more knowledgable guys (BRP maybe) on this, but honestly I don't think it's worth the effort.

[RossP]

. . . I'd question why it'd be worth it in the first place . . .

That's my question too!

[Gangplank]

If I recall from talking to Gary it was to take the versys exhaust cam and put it in the 650R exhaust and then take the exhaust cam and put it in the intake.

Gary is that correct? Maybe you can explain the benefits...

[Simon]

[Thread revival - but anyway:] This has been touched several times on this forum as well...
search.php?keywords=versys+cam+&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search
"have found the best combo is 650R intake cam in the intake, Versys intake in the exhaust."
and
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=537&hilit=versys+cam

[Gangplank]

If I recall from talking to Gary it was to take the versys exhaust cam and put it in the 650R exhaust and then take the exhaust cam and put it in the intake.

Gary is that correct? Maybe you can explain the benefits...

Ok looks like I have that ass-backwards then. From another thread:

I would suggest you keep your Versys cam in the intake, and use the 650R intake cam in the exhaust.Snorkel removal will help all around.

[BRP]

We have since found best all around performance: Versys intake cams in both intake and exhaust.
If you're budgeting: Versys intake in the intake
650R intake in the exhaust.
Hopefully before much longer, we will be able to offer billet cams, with several grinds.

[Varment]

is the benefit worth the expense for normal street riding? or is it tenths of a second around the track improvement? do you have an estimated hp gain Gary?

[BRP]

Gains go hand in hand with what mods you do.
The more you do, the bigger the benefit.
You get more out of cams, with a ported head.
For the money, I would say it worth it.
A good time to do it, is when it's time to check valve clearance.

[Ed Case]

You could always trade the Versys in and then buy a bigger bike, save a lot of hassle/heartbreak.

[BRP]

You could always trade the Versys in and then buy a bigger bike, save a lot of hassle/heartbreak.

We're not talking about the Versys.
We're talking about using Versys cams.

[Thrasher]

BRP,what about running both Versys intake cams ON THE VERSYS?

[BRP]

BRP,what about running both Versys intake cams ON THE VERSYS?

Yes

[Thrasher]

Yes? Come on how about some details of the preformance value if any.

[BRP]

Don't own, or ever worked on a Versys.
You asked if it's a good upgrade, yes is the answer.
Best performance is gained by milling the head, and porting.

[niteowl]

I've been researching tuning up my Versys[God knows why] and talked to a friend who's pretty up on cams in general but not these motors. He said swapping an intake cam into the exhaust most likely will give you some more duation valve is open and kinda help make up for a restricted exhaust passage in general. He also said if not too radical it should help or at least not hurt powerband thruout the rev range. Granted this is just a generalization of course. Why the Versys one is better than the Ninja cam I dont have a clue but maybe the Ninja one overdoes it a bit. This makes me wonder if the Ninja intake cam and a Versys intake in the exhaust might be the "economical" way to go in a Versys engine.

[niteowl]

Seems like if the Ninja makes more power mainly up top that the different intake cam would logically be a factor. I know compression fits into it too- but I'm used to thinking compression would affect the whole rev range more than just up top. I'm no expert-just my thoughts.

[BRP]

I can't give you the exact numbers, but the Versys intake has slightly more lift and duration. Kawasaki designed these engines to pass Euro pollution
standards. Their way of doing it is to restrict air flow, thus the small cams, and ports. The Versys cam swap is a cheap upgrade.
We I put a set of custom ground cams in my race bike, the improvement
was overall better power. We're talking about a $155 OEM cam
versus a set of $650 race cams.
Again with the Versys you are down compression to start with.
I would love to build one, it would be a blast both on and off pavement.
If you want to do it, I suggest it as a winter project.
I have a couple of stock 650R heads left, so it's possible to build one,
and have it ready for exchange when you're ready.

[niteowl]

That just might be a possibility. Till then I'll most likey look for one on my own. I like the idea of just swapping head when the time comes. Thanks, Jim

[Thrasher]

How do you go about placing the cam in the right position with out using a degree wheel or dial guage?

[_vertical.flight_]

There are timing indicators that you line up. It's very easy and straightforward, as long as you understand the concept of what you're doing.

[Turbocharged650R]

I have milled, ported and run Versys intake cams in both positions on my bike, as has already been stated, the benefits of saving several hundred dollars vs performance gains is impressive. I have yet to grind some custom cams due to the cost involved, I have the equipment, but a billet block machining screw up is extremely expensive....

[sharper]

I am doing some research about doing this swap in my 2010 650r. I would like to put my 650r intake cam in my exhaust position, and put the Versys intake cam (part# 49118-0076) in the intake position.

Looking at the part numbers though I see that the 2015 Versys cams have different part numbers compared to earlier years. I was reading a Versys review and it says the bike makes 68 to 69 HP because of the cams. The head Part # is also different compared to previous years. It looks like the Versys started using the same head as the 650r in 2015.

The 2015 650r is rated for 64.8hp while the 2015 versys 650 is rated at 69hp. I am assuming this 4hp gain is mostly cam related.

2007 - 2014 650r
Intake Cam: 49118-0072
Exhaust Cam: 49118-0042
Head: 11008-0716

2015 650r
Intake Cam: 49118-0072
Exhaust Cam: 49118-0042
Head: 11008-0716

2007 - 2014 versys
Intake Cam: 49118-0076
Exhaust Cam: 49118-0075
Head: 11008-0107

2015 versys
Intake Cam: 49118-0755
Exhaust Cam: 49118-0756
Head: 11008-0716

So would it be better to just run 2015 Versys Intake and Exhaust cams? Or would sticking to the tried and true 2007 - 2014 Intake cam swap be the way to go?

[BRP]

Would need to know the lift and duration of each to advise.

[sharper]

Would need to know the lift and duration of each to advise.

Valve Timing:
Intake:
Open 26° BTDC
Close 54° ABDC
Duration 260°
Lift: 7.86 mm
Exhaust:
Open 47° BBDC
Close 25° ATDC
Duration 252°
Lift: 7.35 mm

The open and close degree and duration I found in the manual. Without the cams sitting in front of me I am unsure what the lift is, but I do have an educated guestamate. The Standard or Stock spacer to adjust the valve lash is a 3.00 mm. This spacer is the same as on the kawasaki ex650, The valves are the same part #, the head is the same part # . I am assuming that the cams base circle diameter is the same as the 650 since all the valve-train components are exactly the same. The only difference is the TAPPET part #. This to me is a red flag for the base circle not being the same, but the tappet part numbers are the same on the 2015 650 ninja, so it is possible it is still all the same.

Base circle diameter of the cams I have out of my 2010 ex650 measure 28.04mm diam if this base circle is the same on the 2015 versys I can subtract the base circle diameter from the cams Height.
2015 Versys Cam Height
Standard:
Exhaust 35.343 ∼ 35.457 mm (1.3915 ∼ 1.3959 in.)
Intake 35.843 ∼ 35.957 mm (1.4111 ∼ 1.4156 in.)

This is how I came up with the lift.

Is this correct??? Or does anyone know the lift of the 2015 - 2016 Versys 650 cams

I have already purchased my pre 2015 versys intake cam, but this information would be good to know in the future.