Sparks timing advance key

[Billdog350]

Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the Sparks Timing advance key? I was somewhere (I thought it was here) that I heard a lot about it, but my searches on this site came up with nothing.

I already bought it for my 400ex and now I heard from one person that it destroyed his 400ex. Obviously I don't want to do the mod if it will hurt the quad for a few micro-hp...but if it will work reliably I would like the extra low end that they claim on pump gas (93 octane).

[Woody_YZF]

I don't know about that one specifically, but I know people advance their timing all the time and it obviously puts a little more on the motor, but I doubt it would hurt anything. Hopefully somebody here has some true, tried facts.

[TexTwister 393]

just like Woody said, ive seen it done and done it myself to various other bikes but never heard of it actually causing that much harm to a bike unless it was installed improperly...

[Billdog350]

Update: I heard back from the friend who claimed that the 400ex was "destroyed" by the key. Come to find out he put the keys on some banshees...and they worked great until the keys "wore out" and then the timing got all messed up. From hearing that I would bet that the flywheels weren't on tight enough if they were wearing out the keys!

Now for the 400 they had actually shaved the head and done other engine mods at the same time as doing the key. DUH!!! The sparks site as well as every bit of common sense tell you NOT to advance timing on a high compression air cooled motor! Heat from higher compression combined with Heat from advanced timing is just asking for problems! I guess they ran race gas ok but I'm hoping for the key on my stock motor to be able to handle 93 octane. Otherwise I'll just go back to stock. Obviously I'm going to torque the hell outta that flywheel nut so it doesn't move. As long as I do that, I think I'll be ok.

[TexTwister 393]

Make sure you lock tight it and it wont move...

[Billdog350]

Locktite on the flywheel itself or the bolt? I plan on locktighting the bolt for sure, but I have never thought about the flywheel itself....

[Billdog350]

Forgot to locktite the bolt or flywheel, but I did stand on the wrench when I tightened it down.

HOLY CRAP!! Boy this mod makes a difference, esp in cooler weather! My stock 400 (except for 14 tooth front sprocket and billet end cap) will stand right up in third gear just on throttle and a slight tug on the bars! First and second don't need you to even lean back....BY FAR the best bang for your buck next to the sprocket.....

The end cap makes quite a difference too...a bit louder but not as bad as a aftermarket pipe. Some guy is selling them on Ebay for $23 each...which is a great deal considering the billet aluminum costs half of that easily....

[4strkepwr660R]

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Billdog350]

So far still running great and lots of power. Sometimes it backfires and stumbles a little but its still FAR better than stock. I'm looking into the 42 pilot jet mod now...I just don't want it so rich it won't run in the summer....

[Woody_YZF]

Right on, that's good info. Glad it turned out alright.