Originally Posted by Dillon71

modded engine review:
I got my first modded engine from cre in early october. The last two engines Ive ran this year were stock o.s xzb's. I had pretty good luck with those engines as far as reliability, permanence and longevity. A friend of mine got a p5 from cre and that was the first engine I've seen or heard run like that. So i contacted Neal and he advised me to get a ninja b02 given my background with o.s engines.

I broke in the engine like this (similar too werks method):
vp fuel +10% oil for the first 500cc of fuel.
Preheat the engine until engine can be turned over by hand, that way you know the p/s pinch is not putting excessive load on the connecting rod/crank pin/ wrist pin. for me it was 250+comp heater as an insulator.
bottomed out idle screw and opened hsn 1/2 turn, lsn 1/2.
started the engine and tuned the lsn to normal-high idle speed.
idled 1st tank, ran 5 tanks on the ground, with each tank adding a little epa to the throttle, backing out the idle screw and tuning the lsn to maintain idle speed. I also let the engine cool between tanks and preheated it before re-firing.
after tank 6, set the idle gap to .5mm and re-tuned the lsn and ran it on the track, kept the hsn on the rich side and about 3/4 epa, 7mm restrictor.
I ran about 10-12 tanks, the engine had a lot of compression but no metal pinch.

I have a little over two gallons on the engine now and it seems like it runs better and better with every tank. I use a 2058 pipe, buku clutch, vp fuel, 7mm restrictor and o.s p4 plug. Iam getting comfortable 10min runtimes and tempting in the 250-260 range. Still has a lot of compression and requires preheat before every start.

The power band of this engine is perfect. Crisp throttle response, smooth bottom end, strong mid range and incredible top end. And it sounds like a cr500 which is always cool!

I know modded engines have a bit of a reputation of being finicky, but this engine proves the opposite. Easier to tune and more consistent during a race/pitstops than my stock xzb's. I only recall tuning the hsn for a race that was at sea level within miles of the beach and then changing it back when I got home.

One thing ill note is keep an eye on the front bearing, Seems like the higher rpm's causes a little oil to weep out the front bearing after about 1/2 gallon or so. Could be in part due to the vp fuel's low/thin oil content. Depending on your tracks dust levels dirt can/will collect and find its way into the engine. The front bearing is what I consider to be a maintenance item and should be routinely inspected.

I was on the fence about modded engines for a long time but after the performance I am seeing with this engine and the support from Neal and cre i'll never run anything else.