Engine swap?

tc339

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I had a total engine failure in my 2012 with 60k miles one it. I’m in the position that I either need a new bike or need to find an engine. I’ve come across a low mileage engine out of a 2014. Is there any reason I wouldn’t be able to put a 2014 engine in my 2012?
 

Dogdaze

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Not really, just make sure you can get the ECU and keys, that could make life easier, although don't think NA bikes have a immobiliser......
If you go that route change the CCT before installing the replacement engine as Yamaha have superseded the 2014 part number with a newer version, if it was me.
 

EricV

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US bikes don't have the immobilizer, no need for the ECU and keys.

The mechanical issues are no issue, the '14 motor will fit into the '12 bike w/o issues and you benefit from updated clutch and CCT parts. You will want to document the swap so if the engine number difference is noted, you have paperwork on why.
 

jbrown

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I assume there would be some wiring harness differences to deal with cruise control and heated grips. It's hard to know how much of an issue that might present. Would you use the old throttle body?
 

EricV

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Just to add, having done a similar engine swap on a FJR, the only things you may need to watch for are electrical sensors with different plugs. For the Super Ten, at worst, you may need to remove the '12 sensor from the old motor and use that on the '14 motor. We haven't really had any engine eletronics upgrades between Gen I and II, so you shouldn't need to worry about anything major.
 

Sierra1

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US bikes don't have the immobilizer, no need for the ECU and keys....

Didn't I read in here that the throttle behaves different between the generations? If it does, switching the ECU would cure that, right? Also, if he doesn't transfer the cruise over, will he get an error code.
 

tc339

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Didn't I read in here that the throttle behaves different between the generations? If it does, switching the ECU would cure that, right? Also, if he doesn't transfer the cruise over, will he get an error code.
I’ve got a reflashed ECU that I would rather not get rid of. But I also wonder if that will cause issues with a different engine.
 

jbrown

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The throttle bodies are different to support cruise control on the 2014. There is a new switch on the 2014 guy, and another input from that switch to the ECU. You might need to use the 2012 throttle body to keep your ECU.
 

EricV

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You might get cruise control with a new ECU, and wiring, AND control switches, AND a new display. KISS and just replace the motor with your existing ECU. IF you have to use the '12 Throttle bodies because the wiring plugs are different, use the '12 Throttle bodies. Just be careful to seat the fuel rail o-rings w/o damaging them.
 

tallpaul

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Years ago when I used to modify every vehicle I owned, I was advised don't make what you can just go out and buy. Fitting a bigger, more powerful engine to a base model car was just pointless if you can just go out and buy the more powerful model instead that comes with the uprated brakes etc.

If you want gen2 features just buy a gen2 bike. Trying to "make" one out of a gen1 is just asking for heartache. I'm excluding common upgrades such as cct and clutch basket from this point. If you did go to the trouble of updating everything else to gen2, come resale time you would still be selling a gen1 but it would be a hash up and may frighten off potential buyers. My advice would be to get whatever base engine (assuming they are otherwise identical) but to reuse all the gen1 ancillary parts, or cut your losses and get a gen2 bike.

Just my 2p...!
 

AVGeek

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Cruise control is in the ECU, and controlled by the Gen 2 dash. Since the Gen 2 motor received minimal upgrades, you should be good to go with the newer motor, given the proviso about swapping throttle bodies and sensors as noted above...
 
B

ballisticexchris

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Years ago when I used to modify every vehicle I owned, I was advised don't make what you can just go out and buy. Fitting a bigger, more powerful engine to a base model car was just pointless if you can just go out and buy the more powerful model instead that comes with the uprated brakes etc.

If you want gen2 features just buy a gen2 bike. Trying to "make" one out of a gen1 is just asking for heartache. I'm excluding common upgrades such as cct and clutch basket from this point. If you did go to the trouble of updating everything else to gen2, come resale time you would still be selling a gen1 but it would be a hash up and may frighten off potential buyers. My advice would be to get whatever base engine (assuming they are otherwise identical) but to reuse all the gen1 ancillary parts, or cut your losses and get a gen2 bike.

Just my 2p...!
I'm with you Paul! I too have went down that road when I was younger. I decided to wedge a GPZ 1100 engine into my KZ750 chassis after blowing up the motor. Thankfully my dad stopped me before it got ugly.

I'm willing to bet there were so many changes between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 that it will not be a simple bolt in deal. The motor might fit but it is going to be an electrical nightmare.

To the OP I might suggest to part out your Gen 1 and get a newer model that already runs. You will be surprised how much money you can get by piecing out your bike. And a lot easier than R&Ring a motor.
 

tc339

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I'm with you Paul! I too have went down that road when I was younger. I decided to wedge a GPZ 1100 engine into my KZ750 chassis after blowing up the motor. Thankfully my dad stopped me before it got ugly.

I'm willing to bet there were so many changes between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 that it will not be a simple bolt in deal. The motor might fit but it is going to be an electrical nightmare.

To the OP I might suggest to part out your Gen 1 and get a newer model that already runs. You will be surprised how much money you can get by piecing out your bike. And a lot easier than R&Ring a motor.
Thanks for the advice. I’m kind of emotionally holding on to my bike because I’ve spent the last 5 years making it exactly how I want it, I don’t want to do it all over again with a new bike. But I think I need to just get passed that and get a new one. Because I also want a bike that is reliable and isn’t going to leave me stranded in the middle of Canada or something
 

EricV

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Thanks for the advice. I’m kind of emotionally holding on to my bike because I’ve spent the last 5 years making it exactly how I want it, I don’t want to do it all over again with a new bike. But I think I need to just get passed that and get a new one. Because I also want a bike that is reliable and isn’t going to leave me stranded in the middle of Canada or something
Hold on, why are you worried about being stranded? I put 109k on my '12. Yes, I suffered a catastrophic CCT failure, but I also had YES in place and it was covered. Took 4 months, but the bike ran like new when I got it back. Better, due to the upgraded clutch I had them do at the same time.

With all the miles myself and other forum members have put on Super Teneres, they have not proven to be failure prone bikes. Not knowing why yours failed or what was damaged or any history, I can't speak for your individual issue. I can say that the bike with a replaced motor is no more likely to have an issue than any other Super Tenere. They are proven to be reliable. If your specific bike had some flaw that caused the failure, the likelihood that the new motor would have the same flaw is incredibly tiny and it likely would have become known by now, with 5 model years of Gen II bikes in the wild.

When I decided to upgrade to a Gen II, it had nothing to do with the Gen I bike. It was about life taking me in a direction that made me want to have YES coverage for another 7 years.

I chose a Gen I non-ES and swapped all the things I could over to the new bike. The buyer of my '12 scored with a fresh engine, brand new forks, new rider seat and more because I kept upgraded items from my old bike. I had already upgraded many things.
 
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Don in Lodi

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You remove every single thing with an electrical connector off the old motor and install it on the new motor. No wiring/programming issues at all. Unless there is some proof that one of those components caused your catastrophic failure. The bike/motor will still be a Gen I with an upgraded basket and tensioner. No biggy at all.
 

tc339

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Hold on, why are you worried about being stranded? I put 109k on my '12. Yes, I suffered a catastrophic CCT failure, but I also had YES in place and it was covered. Took 4 months, but the bike ran like new when I got it back. Better, due to the upgraded clutch I had them do at the same time.

With all the miles myself and other forum members have put on Super Teneres, they have not proven to be failure prone bikes. Not knowing why yours failed or what was damaged or any history, I can't speak for your individual issue. I can say that the bike with a replaced motor is no more likely to have an issue than any other Super Tenere. They are proven to be reliable. If your specific bike had some flaw that caused the failure, the likelihood that the new motor would have the same flaw is incredibly tiny and it likely would have become known by now, with 5 model years of Gen II bikes in the wild.

When I decided to upgrade to a Gen II, it had nothing to do with the Gen I bike. It was about life taking me in a direction that made me want to have YES coverage for another 7 years.

I chose a Gen I non-ES and swapped all the things I could over to the new bike. The buyer of my '12 scored with a fresh engine, brand new forks, new rider seat and more because I kept upgraded items from my old bike. I had already upgraded many things.
Oh I would definitely be getting another Super Tenere. But maybe I should use this as an excuse to get a new one with cruise control and ES like I’ve wanted. I just don’t want to risk piecing my bike back together and have reliability issues after that.
 

EricV

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I'm just saying you really shouldn't need to worry about reliability issues when you put this one back together. If you WANT a new bike, that's all good, but your current bike will be as reliable as any other Super Ten when it's back on the road. You're not doing anything unusual, just replacing a part.
 
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