Converting a 2013rt to a 2014rt

[kbfk]

Has anyone given any thought to converting a 2013 to a 2014 rt. I wondering if we bought the parts for a new frunk and the new radiators if they would fit on a 2013rt thus relieving the heat problems. Naturally, this would be spendy but whole lot less than taking the hit on selling our current bikes and buying a new bike. Perhaps its a crazy thought but if it works and didn't break the bank to much...... Of course I rather the problem was fixed by BRP but I want to ride this summer! What are your thoughts?

 

[Chupaca]

Interesting..!!

but would it be cost effective..?? It would have to be studied and tested to see the actual effectiveness of the new front end. How would it be with and without moving the radiators which are probably different as well. I'm sure someone will take the time till then :dontknow:

 

[Magdave]

I just want to know if the right hand black hole grille will swap out plug and play. I know it gets hot but I doubt it would melt and for the right price I would like to try it

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: I like you idea...:thumbup:
Something to think about:
Does the 2013 electonics package of you bike have what it needs to power the new fans AND revese them?
Will the plumbing for the radiators (designed for the inline triple), be adaptable to the Vee-Twin configuration of your engine?
Will you need more electrical power, than your 650 watt magneto can provide?

Keep in mind...
You'll STILL have the exhause system of your engine up under the bodywork

I wish that my sense of foreboding wasn't so strong about this... :shocked:
Perhaps some wise and brave souls can figure it all out... All that it really takes is time and money!
Good Luck!

 

[JkRbbt]

Strictly speculation on my part, but it looks like we 2013 folks got a hybrid, 2014 frame/suspension with 2012 innards. One could probably build on the 2013 frame, but again, is it gonna be cost effective? I'm still waiting for BRP to tell us something, anything. I am really hesitant to cut holes or swap parts before I hear what is really going on. opcorn:opcorn:

 

[cuznjohn]

personally

i don't think it would be cost effective to do it, for what it might cost it would be better to trade in the 13 for a 14, i am sure you would need a software change and with two fans we would most likely need a larger charging system to power them, remember the upgraded charging system on the 14 is not just for farkles

 

[stewartj239]

Has anyone given any thought to converting a 2013 to a 2014 rt. I wondering if we bought the parts for a new frunk and the new radiators if they would fit on a 2013rt thus relieving the heat problems. Naturally, this would be spendy but whole lot less than taking the hit on selling our current bikes and buying a new bike. Perhaps its a crazy thought but if it works and didn't break the bank to much...... Of course I rather the problem was fixed by BRP but I want to ride this summer! What are your thoughts?

You're assuming that the radiator placement is the root cause of the problem. In addition, not all 2013 owners are having heat issues which personally makes me wonder if the problem lies elsewhere such as with the stock FI map (too lean). I have a thread going for changes that I'm making to my 2013 that would certainly alleviate heat sources on the 2010-2013 Spyders. It might be worth a look.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...Making-the-2013-Spyder-RT-S-quot-Perfect-quot

 

[Magdave]

Strictly speculation on my part, but it looks like we 2013 folks got a hybrid, 2014 frame/suspension with 2012 innards. One could probably build on the 2013 frame, but again, is it gonna be cost effective? I'm still waiting for BRP to tell us something, anything. I am really hesitant to cut holes or swap parts before I hear what is really going on. opcorn:opcorn:

:agree: Nothing I have done so far is not reversible and I DO NOT want to put it under the knife :yikes:

 

[chuck gross]

NEW EXHAUST ROUTING

Maybe some of you talented mechanics could come up with a new exhaust pipe route that doesn't have to wrap around right under the fuel tank maybe it could just shoot straight out of the header and out the bottom of the Spyder or something radical like that.
I know that sounds a little smoky/noisy when sitting at the stop light. :roflblack:

 

[spacetiger]

if you sold your bike for $18k and the the 2014 cost you $26k, that is a $8k difference. For $8k you get a big upgrade in engine and transmission along with many other upgrades like lower temperatures around the legs.

I don't think you could ever recover your costs and I don't think you can mimic a 2014 but we Americans like to make our bikes into what we want, so if you like the 2014 look, go for it if you think it can be done within your skill set.

jerry

 

[Dan McNally]

:shocked: I like you idea...:thumbup:
Something to think about:
Does the 2013 electonics package of you bike have what it needs to power the new fans AND revese them?
Will the plumbing for the radiators (designed for the inline triple), be adaptable to the Vee-Twin configuration of your engine?
Will you need more electrical power, than your 650 watt magneto can provide?

Keep in mind...
You'll STILL have the exhause system of your engine up under the bodywork

I wish that my sense of foreboding wasn't so strong about this... :shocked:
Perhaps some wise and brave souls can figure it all out... All that it really takes is time and money!
Good Luck!

:agree: . . . The majority of the heat would still be under the Tupperware, as that isn't radiator heat that was melting things. It would resolve the hotfoot on the right, but nothing else. But don't stop thinking . . . there has to be a solution!

 

[NancysToy]

You forgot about the new engine, new transmission, new gas tank, new emissions canister, etc. It is not practical...even if it is possible. IMO, you would take less of a financial hit just trading in your 2013, although I have not looked at the numbers. As to the heat problems, it depends on what type you are having. The radiators would help the heat on your right foot, but it would take the new engine and exhaust to drastically reduce heat in the engine compartment. If you are having coolant overheating, that should be able to be addressed on your current Spyder by your dealer.

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

I have spoken to BRP twice this past week about my 13 and the excessive heat under the plastic. They do know that there is a problem and they are trying to figure a solution. At this point I kinda feel that they are trying but are at a loss for results. I too have a few ideas on some things to try but at this point I am not going to go and start removing items and making huge modifications on a bike that may need to go back or be traded off. I have a nice collection of goodies I got for Christmas but don't want to install anything till the bike is made right.

 

[JkRbbt]

3 Wheel Addict

said,

"I have spoken to BRP twice this past week about my 13 and the excessive heat under the plastic. They do know that there is a problem and they are trying to figure a solution. At this point I kinda feel that they are trying but are at a loss for results."

====================================================

I can help them out! Give me a good trade value for my 2013 on a 2014 and we can BOTH pretend that 2013 never happened! Hey, I'm only trying to help!! ​

 

[cuznjohn]

i don't see them

I have spoken to BRP twice this past week about my 13 and the excessive heat under the plastic. They do know that there is a problem and they are trying to figure a solution. At this point I kinda feel that they are trying but are at a loss for results. I too have a few ideas on some things to try but at this point I am not going to go and start removing items and making huge modifications on a bike that may need to go back or be traded off. I have a nice collection of goodies I got for Christmas but don't want to install anything till the bike is made right.

finding a fix for our bikes, i am at a total loss as to why some have heat and some don't, as you know i did a lot of work to put upper and lower vents on the bike and i am even wondering if it is the actual engine on some bikes that is the problem. if the bikes run the same software and all the same components how could one be hot and another not. i wonder if somewhere in the engine there is a water jacket slightly covered by a gasket or a water pump that is pumping but not up to full capacity, or if some bolts are tightened to tight or loose, i am not a mechanic but there are so many things it could be and depending on how many 13's have filed heat problems what can BRP do except to do a process of elimination changing parts to see what works and how much it will cost them. my main worry is that they will just yes us to death till we go away. in the warmer weather i will be able to tell if the vents i put on worked but i will still have a bike that the engine runs hot, that they admit, and will the heat cause excessive ware and tare on my motor.

 

[stewartj239]

finding a fix for our bikes, i am at a total loss as to why some have heat and some don't, as you know i did a lot of work to put upper and lower vents on the bike and i am even wondering if it is the actual engine on some bikes that is the problem. if the bikes run the same software and all the same components how could one be hot and another not. i wonder if somewhere in the engine there is a water jacket slightly covered by a gasket or a water pump that is pumping but not up to full capacity, or if some bolts are tightened to tight or loose, i am not a mechanic but there are so many things it could be and depending on how many 13's have filed heat problems what can BRP do except to do a process of elimination changing parts to see what works and how much it will cost them. my main worry is that they will just yes us to death till we go away. in the warmer weather i will be able to tell if the vents i put on worked but i will still have a bike that the engine runs hot, that they admit, and will the heat cause excessive ware and tare on my motor.

It is hard to measure a true heat problem when it is based on someone's comfort and whether they are bothered by the engine heat or are more tolerable to it. But when you start melting parts on some bikes and not others, then that is where you know that some but not all are affected. It is surprising that the root cause has not been identified yet on the bikes where the problem is known to be real.

 

[cuznjohn]

heat

It is hard to measure a true heat problem when it is based on someone's comfort and whether they are bothered by the engine heat or are more tolerable to it. But when you start melting parts on some bikes and not others, then that is where you know that some but not all are affected. It is surprising that the root cause has not been identified yet on the bikes where the problem is known to be real.

the only thing i know is that BRP requested a buds report from my bike and told the dealer and me that the engine temp was higher than it should be, now other bike temps i don't know but i was told mine was running very hot

 

[stewartj239]

the only thing i know is that BRP requested a buds report from my bike and told the dealer and me that the engine temp was higher than it should be, now other bike temps i don't know but i was told mine was running very hot

Did they tell you what normal was? Did the dealer check anything out on the spot to try to determine why? That is interesting as I agree that there is something that is not obvious (to us) that is causing the problem. I am currently putting some money into mine for upgrades and the only reason I am doing it is because I am not having any heat issues. Otherwise, I would have put them on hold until I heard what BRP had to say. Hang in there. Hopefully a real fix will be coming soon.

 

[ARtraveler]

Not much I can offer in the way of mechanical expertise concerning a swap for parts to make the 2013 more like a 2014.

Dollar wise, it may be less than the hit on making a trade from 2013 to 2014.

Mechanical wise, it may or may not work due to the different engine configurations. That much modification may also be enough to void the warranty.

This is a very hard decision, and I am still hoping that BRP comes in with a true fix for the heat issues that some experienced on 2013's. This has been a bad one for both the customers and the manufacturer.

 

[midnightbreeze50]

heat issue

Just wondering , since I have had the 2013 RT, no heat related issues, but I cant help thinking, it just might be the gas we are useing, I personaly use 93 octane all the time , thats why I'm wondering if it is the gas, Does anyone else think this could be a problem, have you tried useing high octane, let me know!