I recently picked up an engine for my vf500 Interceptor that was originally on a 1984 v30 magna. The engine was a steal at 200 bucks and has about half the miles my interceptor engine has (40k on the vf). Ive read that the cylinder heads may have slight differences but would like to know if someone could fill me in on the pros and cons of each engine.
If I could suggest, try cross-referencing the part numbers (i.e. the valves and cams, etc.). This should give you a clearer picture of the differences between the two.
My clymers manual says the magna puts out 62 bhp and the interceptor 66 bhp. Im hoping the magna engine will make up the difference in power with its shorter gear ratios. Was wondering if the power difference was caused by the difference in rpm limit. Interceptor 11.5k rpm max and magna 11k rpm max. Id like to get a tad more juice out of this engine if I could swap parts over wile I have both engines out if that would even help.
I know this is a REALLY old thread but I ran across it and figured someone else might run across it later and need the info. The 500 Ceptor and Magna use the same engine, cams, heads ect. The difference comes in the carbs and the trans (verified through part numbers). The Magna carbs are tuned more for mid range. I have a Magna engine on my Ceptor. The gear ratios are different, personally I like them. On the Ceptor 1-3 are close ratio, 4-6 are wider ratio, the Magna ratios are the opposite, 1-3 are wider, 4-6 are closer. Also, the Magna trans 5th gear is the same ratio as 6th in the Ceptor. top speed in gears @11500rpm stock sprockets Interceptor trans (in Ceptor) 1:45.2, 2:63.6, 3:80.9, 4:96.8, 5:112.2, 6:129.7 rpm@70mph 6210 Magna trans (in Ceptor) 1:44.2, 2:76.5, 3:87.8, 4:106.4, 5:126.8, 6:146.3 rpm@70mph 5500 rpm change shifted@11500rpm stock sprockets Ceptor 1-2:8330, 2-3:8560, 3-4:9390, 4-5:9913, 5-6:9915 Magna 1-2:7850, 2-3:8950, 3-4:8850, 4-5:9700, 5-6:9725 Interceptor trans (in Ceptor) 1:45.2, 2:63.6, 3:80.9, 4:96.8, 5:112.2, 6:129. rpm@70mph 6210 14 tooth front sprocket/44 tooth rear (stock) Magna trans (in Ceptor) 1:41.3, 2:63, 3:81.9, 4:99.3, 5:118.3, 6:136.5 rpm@70mph 5900 running 14/46 sprockets with the Magna trans will give acceleration a tad better than stock but with the same top speed. It will also allow you to convert to a CBR 17” rear wheel without going to a very small, specialty rear sprocket.