Will GS 450L head fit in a gs500F engine?

[04MTBee]

Topic says it all.   

GS450 heads are dirt cheap on that online auction site and seem similar to the 500 heads.  Bolt patterns look similar.  I would have to buy the tach plug from the stealership.  But other wise would it work properly?

Thanks...

04MTBEE

[werase643]

look at the way the exhaust ports exit the head on both.....

[jp]

My first guess would be that they would fit. The basic engine design hasn't changed since 1976 or 77 when it was a 400. The valves may be different though to accomodate the different displacement. I don't think I would buy one unless it was cheap enough to not worry about eating the cost if it doesn't work.

[04MTBee]

Let me start by saying I purchased a 2004 GS500F head for my bike.  During my search someone told me that a GS450 head might work?!?!

I looked at them on the computer and on the "fiche" pages.  They looked very similar.  A lot of them looked identical.  A person would have to consider the TACH drive on the 450 head, but it looked like a pre-2004 head.

So, I posed the question to you all to get your opinions.

Thanks for keeping me straight.

04MTBee

[bill14224]

I don't think they're enough alike to swap.  The valve sizes would be smaller, and the DOHC design was also changed.  Look at the valve covers.  They're not even close to the same.  The covers suggest that the cams in the 450 are bigger than those in the 500.  But could you swap just the cylinder head itself?  Maybe, but you'll need to buy new valves and pay for machining.  Buying a 500 head would be cheaper, and my gut says the cam/cover swap is a no-go.  I would bet the 500 cams are smaller and won't fit into the 450 head, nor will the cover fit.  Suzuki had to do something to get 2000 more rpm out of the 500.  My guess is shorter, lighter cams, shorter, lighter valves, or both.  In any case it would be a miracle if it fit, and if it did I'm pretty sure I would have read about it here already.

This would be something I would love to be wrong about!

[intergalactic]

It never even occurred to me that he might buy a bare head, not one complete with cams and valves and springs.

I don't think they're enough alike to swap.  The valve sizes would be smaller, and the DOHC design was also changed.  Look at the valve covers.  They're not even close to the same.  The covers suggest that the cams in the 450 are bigger than those in the 500.  But could you swap just the cylinder head itself?  Maybe, but you'll need to buy new valves and pay for machining.  Buying a 500 head would be cheaper, and my gut says the cam/cover swap is a no-go.  I would bet the 500 cams are smaller and won't fit into the 450 head, nor will the cover fit.  Suzuki had to do something to get 2000 more rpm out of the 500.  My guess is shorter, lighter cams, shorter, lighter valves, or both.  In any case it would be a miracle if it fit, and if it did I'm pretty sure I would have read about it here already.

[04MTBee]

Nahhhhh......   When I said I bought a head, I meant that I bought a complete head with all the matching components.

When I get the parts,  I am going to inspect them for wear or damage.  the seller offers a 100% money back guarantee.

I am going to make sure the cam caps are placed in their proper places... A with A, B with B, etc...

I paid too much for this bike to do a mediocre repair job.  My life or someone else's might change if this bike breaks down at speed.   I am spending the money to fix it right...



I wanted to be able to respond to the person who originally asked me the question with the input from you folks.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

04MTBee

[dgyver]

The GS450 head will bolt on to the GS500 engine...but... like Ken (werase643) said... The exhaust ports are going to be off. The GS450 ports angle outwards and the GS500 go forward due to different frame styles.