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I have a quick question. I'm putting a 08' R cam in my 13'X. I put a Hot cam stage 2 in my old 06'450 X and didn't have any problems with the install. Is the newer cam setup (decompression system)any harder to install than the older one? Andy

actually easier to install. you'll like the '08 R cam.

How is the bottom end on this 08' cam?

excellent. if you are looking for more low and mid then the stage 1 hot cams is the ticket. if you are looking for more power everywhere, low to top end the '08 R cam is excellent.

Do you know how the Hotcam stage 1 does on the top end? I want the bottom and mid-range to be strong but still give me a reasonable top end. I dont want it to fall on its face

HC Stage 1 falls off horribly up top. I ran one for a long time and loved the bottom and midrange power but decided for the riding I do I needed more top end power. So, I switched to the '05 R cam (I have an '05 X so it's a simple swap) and love this cam. The '08 R cam is even better. More power everywhere over the X cam and continues to pull hard in high RPMs.

Ken, Thanks for the info. I'd hate to give up my top end. I had a HC stage 2 in my previous 450X. I would go with that again but my riding location has changed to a more steep hills and really tight single track. There are some areas where I can really open it up though so I dont want to totally give up the top. Looks like I'll be going with the 08'

if you don't want to give up the top end then the stage 1 is definitely not the best choice. the '08 R cam won't give the tractor pulling power down low of the HC stage 1. so, it's a trade off. i know guys that swap cams like most of us change the oil. i'll be interested in hearing what you think of the '08 R cam. btw, we have both in stock if you need a source:

'08 R cam:

http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product ... ts_id/4414

'08 450X Stage 1:

http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product ... ts_id/2810

Ken, I will be ordering one of the two tomorrow morning. I don't know which one though. I really need the bottom and mid range. I'm already running 12/52 gearing.


I was just over on Hotcams web site looking at the dyno charts and the stage 1 looks like what I need. looks like its making a ton of power in the rpm range I'll be using the most.

yeah for down low and mid range the stage 1 is a beast!

Can anyone explain to me how you remove the cam chain sprocket bolts without using the special stopper jig to hold the sprocket. I haven't looked at the actual engine yet. I was just going through the manual. I have the holder jig. It looks like the decompression weight and weight pin would be in the way of using the sprocket holder jig.

Also can you just remove the whole cam chain tensioner assay instead of using the little plunger tool. I cant remember what I used before. I thought I had the tool but I cant find it. Should I get the tool?

I have a gearing question for you , why if you want top end are you running a 12/52 ? , i run a 13/52 and can go in the tightest of tight , and climb hills , i can ride some real nasty rock garden log hopping single track , and have never had a issue with my gearing i rarely if ever stall on a ride (maybe 1 time in a 60-80 mile ride because i goofed up), i also have a HC Stage 1 , top for me is about 75mph , i cant imagine yours being over 60mph with that gearing , but i can not fathom ANY terrain i would need lower gearing , and here in Idaho we have some nasty tight as hell butt puckering single track , and 13/52 will get you thru all of it with ease and you can go straight to the desert without changing anything except maybe suspension clickers

So just wondering the need for that low of gearing , i have gone from 12/54 to 13/50 and 13/52 is the best you can get to go slow and still have some top end

As far as the cam gear , i just wedge a screwdriver in a slot in the gear to hold the cam gear from spinning , then just use a regular allen wrench and tap it with a hammer to shock the bolt loose , then spin it 180 and do it again , or you can just pull the entire cam by tilting and lifting it out (i just remove the tensioner to get the slack) , then wrap a rag around the gears and put it in a vice just snug enough to hold it , and loosen the bolts that way

when removing the cam keep the cam tie off the cam chain to the frame to prevent it from dropping down into the left crank case cover. then stuff a clean rag in the cam chain well to prevent any parts from falling into it. when you remove the cam keep an eye on the shims. they are known to "disappear".

I never said I want more topend.What I said was I don't want to give up the topend I have. As far as my gearing goes, I run that gearing setup because southern Ohio down by the Ohio river is very steep terrain.

So you tried 13/52 and it wasn't enough ?? , all i know is its almost impossible to stall my 06 , and trust me we have some steep stuff here as well , i watch video's of trail riding all the time and i have not seen anything back east or anywhere else in the world for that matter that is any more difficult than some of the stuff we have here in Idaho , we have some of the most diverse and extreme riding there is anywhere , but if it works for you , then thats fine , this is just my opinion and experiences with this type of riding on a X , and nothing more !

As far as cam , i still like the Stage 1 for that type of riding since most everything your doing requires bottom end and mid torque/power if its mostly steep terrain , but you will give up a slight bit of top end with it , it seems to peak out quicker/sooner than the stock X cam , but has tons more bottom and mid , so its a trade off , for all around more open riding the R cam would most likely be better like Ken mentioned

But back to gearing , its all a compromise ,
I just found the 12 too limiting as to what you can ride or how you can ride it , unless you don't mind riding the more open parts of trails in 5th gear all the time , which is why i ended up at 13/52 , just keep a constant eye on the chain slider with a 12 , it puts more pressure on the slider because of the smaller front sprocket and it will wear faster and if the chain wears thru , it will cut into the swingarm where it pivots , then the swingarm will be toast, this is worse when using the thicker HD or O-Ring chains or if you accidentally adjust it too tight , so keep a constant eye on that and you should be fine !