how to calculate shim size needed

flattracker1 · 01-25-2012, 02:27 AM

i did a search and cant find what im looking for... so how do i calculate this??? i have oshc, not sure what size shims are in know. i havent removed the cams yet. the intake is .003" should be .004-.006. oh another quick question. my exhaust is .008 on both lobes should be .006-.008. i know that i set them at .007 when i installed 30+ hrs ago. Is this ok to be at the last mark so to speak or should i set it a little tighter??? thx

spize909 · 01-25-2012, 10:17 AM

If you get a manual it will have a chart you can use to figure it out. There is also a "valve shim calculator" that has been posted several times. I don't have it on this computer but I bet you could google it.
Your exhaust is fine and if both intakes are at .003 you're problem fine with that as well. If you want open it up see what shim is in there now (you can't figure anything out until you know what's in there now) and just go down one size.

spize909 · 01-25-2012, 10:24 AM

Here it is...........probably something that would make a good "sticky".

Valve Shim Calculator

TRMN8TR · 01-25-2012, 11:40 AM

Wow that all seems way too complicated. Why not just use metric for everything? The clearances are given in mm, the shims are in mm, and my gauges read in mm and inches. Do some gauges not have mm on them or something?

I just did this last night and didn't need any calculators to figure it out, just some simple adding and subtracting.

flattracker1 · 01-25-2012, 02:47 PM

thanks spize for the calculator. yes it needs to be a sticky. trmn8tr, the reason i was looking for calc. is because i have to drive 15min to get a shim and wanted to make sure i dont have to keep going back..lol
oh and the oshc are in mm and inches...

TRMN8TR · 01-25-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flattracker1

thanks spize for the calculator. yes it needs to be a sticky. trmn8tr, the reason i was looking for calc. is because i have to drive 15min to get a shim and wanted to make sure i dont have to keep going back..lol
oh and the oshc are in mm and inches...

I understand that. Besides driving to get it I wouldn't want to keep taking the cams out to change the shims. Better to get it right the first time. Just seems it would be easier/simpler to do all the math in metric instead of converting back and forth.

flattracker1 · 01-25-2012, 03:03 PM

you probably right but thats just the # i remembered i guess...lol.the funny thing is i put this all together and i lost my build sheet with all that was done and measurements...damn

flattracker1 · 01-25-2012, 05:59 PM

well did the calculator and it said i need a 259.92mm. dont think they make one that size. i went to the shop and got a 250 he didnt have a 255 if they even make one that size. now im at .007 and .008 on intake. damit!!!!! i guess if .003 wont cause damage ill put the 260 back in.....

spize909 · 01-25-2012, 08:27 PM

If you got a couple days I could send you the right shims........for your old ones.

flattracker1 · 01-26-2012, 04:56 PM

thx spize. yes i have plenty of time. nothing but rain,snow and ice here. so do they make a 255 and why is the calc telling me .003? will the .003 damage my motor?

Gremlin · 01-26-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flattracker1

thx spize. yes i have plenty of time. nothing but rain,snow and ice here. so do they make a 255 and why is the calc telling me .003? will the .003 damage my motor?

I would actually recommend a shim kit. They are pretty cheap these days ;P

spize909 · 01-26-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flattracker1

thx spize. yes i have plenty of time. nothing but rain,snow and ice here. so do they make a 255 and why is the calc telling me .003? will the .003 damage my motor?

It will not damage your motor..........to the best of my knowledge.

decentZ89 · 01-26-2012, 06:05 PM

silly question not quite related but do you have to up your jetting after cams? im going to assume yes as i feel your getting a larger over lap in intake and exhaust now..

spize909 · 01-26-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decentZ89

silly question not quite related but do you have to up your jetting after cams? im going to assume yes as i feel your getting a larger over lap in intake and exhaust now..

I didn't

TuckerHardRide · 01-26-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decentZ89

silly question not quite related but do you have to up your jetting after cams? im going to assume yes as i feel your getting a larger over lap in intake and exhaust now..

I sorta did.

01-25-2012, 02:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
flattracker1 :::Mini LT80 Rider::: Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 208	how to calculate shim size needed i did a search and cant find what im looking for... so how do i calculate this??? i have oshc, not sure what size shims are in know. i havent removed the cams yet. the intake is .003" should be .004-.006. oh another quick question. my exhaust is .008 on both lobes should be .006-.008. i know that i set them at .007 when i installed 30+ hrs ago. Is this ok to be at the last mark so to speak or should i set it a little tighter??? thx

01-25-2012, 10:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
spize909 :::Official Spammer::: Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,177	If you get a manual it will have a chart you can use to figure it out. There is also a "valve shim calculator" that has been posted several times. I don't have it on this computer but I bet you could google it. Your exhaust is fine and if both intakes are at .003 you're problem fine with that as well. If you want open it up see what shim is in there now (you can't figure anything out until you know what's in there now) and just go down one size. __________________ 2005 Z-400 Mine *January* *2011 QOTM* 2004 Z-400 Wife's 2004 Z-400 Son's *October 2011 QOTM* http://www.suzukicentral.com/forums/...tm-winner.html 1996 Sandsprite IV (sandrail) MINE Sponsors: Coors Light.............I sponsor them!

01-25-2012, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
spize909 :::Official Spammer::: Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,177	Here it is...........probably something that would make a good "sticky". Valve Shim Calculator __________________ 2005 Z-400 Mine *January* *2011 QOTM* 2004 Z-400 Wife's 2004 Z-400 Son's *October 2011 QOTM* http://www.suzukicentral.com/forums/...tm-winner.html 1996 Sandsprite IV (sandrail) MINE Sponsors: Coors Light.............I sponsor them!

01-25-2012, 11:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
TRMN8TR :::Ozark 250 rider::: Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Location: Location: Posts: 386	Wow that all seems way too complicated. Why not just use metric for everything? The clearances are given in mm, the shims are in mm, and my gauges read in mm and inches. Do some gauges not have mm on them or something? I just did this last night and didn't need any calculators to figure it out, just some simple adding and subtracting. __________________ 2006 z400. It has things and stuff.

01-25-2012, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
flattracker1 :::Mini LT80 Rider::: Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 208	thanks spize for the calculator. yes it needs to be a sticky. trmn8tr, the reason i was looking for calc. is because i have to drive 15min to get a shim and wanted to make sure i dont have to keep going back..lol oh and the oshc are in mm and inches... Last edited by flattracker1; 01-25-2012 at 02:49 PM.

01-25-2012, 03:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
flattracker1 :::Mini LT80 Rider::: Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 208	you probably right but thats just the # i remembered i guess...lol.the funny thing is i put this all together and i lost my build sheet with all that was done and measurements...damn

01-25-2012, 05:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
flattracker1 :::Mini LT80 Rider::: Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 208	well did the calculator and it said i need a 259.92mm. dont think they make one that size. i went to the shop and got a 250 he didnt have a 255 if they even make one that size. now im at .007 and .008 on intake. damit!!!!! i guess if .003 wont cause damage ill put the 260 back in.....

01-25-2012, 08:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
spize909 :::Official Spammer::: Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,177	If you got a couple days I could send you the right shims........for your old ones. __________________ 2005 Z-400 Mine *January* *2011 QOTM* 2004 Z-400 Wife's 2004 Z-400 Son's *October 2011 QOTM* http://www.suzukicentral.com/forums/...tm-winner.html 1996 Sandsprite IV (sandrail) MINE Sponsors: Coors Light.............I sponsor them!

01-26-2012, 04:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
flattracker1 :::Mini LT80 Rider::: Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 208	thx spize. yes i have plenty of time. nothing but rain,snow and ice here. so do they make a 255 and why is the calc telling me .003? will the .003 damage my motor?

01-26-2012, 06:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
decentZ89 :::Z-250 Rider::: Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New York Posts: 548	silly question not quite related but do you have to up your jetting after cams? im going to assume yes as i feel your getting a larger over lap in intake and exhaust now.. __________________ 2003 Suzuki Ltz 400 Full Yoshimura RS2 FCR39/NCVQ/400EX Boot [not installed] Alba +2 +1 A-arms [not installed] LTR Front Shocks/Tie Rods Uni Filter Tusk Nerf Bars/ Tusk Heel Guards Pro Taper Bars/Metal Mulisha Grips AC Racing Front Bumper/Swingarm Skid Gforce +3 Axle/LSR Blockoff Plate YFZ Front Calipers/Raptor Petcock Homemade Stainless Dash/Aluminun Rad. Shrouds Xentec 6000k HID Kit

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