Kawasaki 1500 / 1100 SXR Conversion Full Build

Took a Kawasaki 1500 SXR 4 stroke jetski and instead put a 1100 2 stroke engine in it which came from a ZXI sitdown jetski.
This video covers the entire build process including all steps and parts required.
Please fill free and drop any questions in the comment and I'd love to respond!
*EDIT 7/21/2024*
I ended up going 130p / 100m / 115g / 2.0 NS. The bottom end was just BEGGING for fuel. I went up to 2 turns out for it to be decent. but it still struggled to start.
And it was way too snappy on the popoff release, so i had to tune that jolt down a bit.
The top end LOVED only being a quarter turn out, so i had to jump up to the 130p instead of the 120p.
Secondly, her top speed was 55mph. which is plenty fast, but i think i can go up in impellar pitch because honestly right now she feels like a superjet... she kinda wants to just launch out of the water and start doing back flips. So i want to get rid of that thrust and go more towards top end. so instead of a 13/17 impellare maybe ill go likd 15/20 or something? i have no idea yet.
My initial thoughts... LOVE the ski. very playful and light and reminds me of a superjet on rails.
Pretty sure ive got more takeoff power than a stock 1500sxr.

[@StefanMailey]

Great build!

[@michaelstewart8473]

Good Job ! You have done your home work. Nikki is a saint

[@sergiofernandez4150]

Me encantan tus proyectos !!! Un saludo fuerte desde España

[@FloridaBoatRamps-88]

Wow !! Great job! 😁😁😁😁

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Thank you! Kind words

[@tythede8753]

Thanks for the video! I do think when you put the steering cable on, you put the o-ring on the wrong side of the washer. May let in a lil water.

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

weird, i went to parzilla and looked at the diagram and it shows it the way i put it on

[@ImperoRosso23]

TOP video man, really thanks for share all this process! It's nice to see how the 2 stroke 1100 can survie on the 1500 hulls.. Just a quick question, and maybe because of the video.. It is just my sensation that the inlet/impeller is loosing speed or something? Looks not so fast as expected. Maybe is just this bad feedback from the video. Anyway, congrats for this super detailed video. Apreciated. Regards from Spain ;)!

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Absolutely the wrong pitch its only hitting 58mph and it instantly hits rpm limit. Ill be ordering a steeper pitch soon. But im kinda loving the low end thrust this provides, and 58mph is plenty fast to learn the ski on first. It makes it playful like a superjet

[@jeffdoetzer5431]

How did you find that handle pole? I have the same ski with a triple. You did an amazing job!!

[@rubiocoria]

You saved my life!! I’m doing the same in a sxr and it’s the best video I ever seen, I was crazy looking for the water diagram and you show me perfectly!! Thank you so much!!

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

thats what i make these videos for... comments like these! thankya!

[@frankrainieri1481]

I desperately need a folding rear boarding step on my 1500 SXR. No one will attempt it because of the exhaust in the way. Can't there be a way to get around the exhaust? Possibly use the same format and fabricate the installation to go around the exhaust pipe somehow? If you can do this project it could be mind-blowing for all the big fat riders like myself that love the ski but can't use it far from shallow water! Please tell me what you think.

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Use something like this. Sorry i dont really have that type of skillset youre asking for www.overtons.com/pwc-boarding-ladder-332143.html?BCampaign%7D&cq_cmp=20025441789&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnei0BhB-EiwAA2xuBscX1PX10LoCa_9uCjydK9z5G0V1Z9FfHSjNb-G2TrRlwsMqmh56QxoCOo4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@brandonevans9521]

Love it! How much did you end up all in if you don’t mind me asking? I’m in Havasu and these hulls are all over the place, this looks super fun. I love the 1100 triple!

[@ryrystewy1]

Sooo... i went all out as you can tell. Premium engine parts, manifolds, carbs, head, carbon fiber hood, billet pole... list goes on. And my receipt tally was 6700$ Ive seen used sxr 1500s for around 7500$ so it was cutting it kind of close. That being said, my buddy has an sxr 1500 and he loves how light and playful mine is compared to his.

[@LifeWithLevi792]

Was it nose light ? With the 1100 innit ? Wonder what the motor weight and set back difference is between the two

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

hard to say, i havent played with a actual 1500sxr, but it felt very playful and i would say the opposite of nose heavy. but i am only comparing it to a superjet and what i imagined a 1500 hull would feel like

[@bradywebley1617]

Found a 1500 hull near me I can get the pump, impeller, and nozzle from the original 1500 worth picking it up for an extra 500?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Its worth it if you dont plan on buying an entire ZXI sitdown. You can use the pump from that sitdown. That being said, im betting a newer pump,impellar, and nozel would be nice. Id say worth it

[@bradywebley1617]

@stewartsskirestorationhub kinda what I figured. Thanks for the reply your vids awesome.

[@revvinkevin85]

Did you use Ultimate Watercrafts conversion kit? or is someone else doing these too?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Yup i did

[@revvinkevin85]

did you use the throttle cable from the 1100zxi or a SXR 1500?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

1500sxr

[@precisesolutions8120]

Nice build. what oneway valve did you use ?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Jabsco in-Line Non-Return Valve - 3/4" on amazon

[@precisesolutions8120]

@@stewartsskirestorationhub Awesome. thank you

[@fujikuganiri]

You got a link for that handle pole? I neeeeeeed one.

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

x.alibaba.com/Awv3sH?ck=pdp

[@revvinkevin85]

@@stewartsskirestorationhub What steering setup did you use with the pole?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

​@@revvinkevin85just picked up a fatbar and ovp from that same company. Realy cheap.

[@obedm.6627]

Great job!! Im interested in purchasing the ski from you. Is that an option? I’m in Washington state.

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

I hVent thought of doing that yet. I still need to jet it properly and up the impellar pitch. Can you message me

[@obedm.6627]

I can’t figure out how to dm on KZbin.

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

​@obedm.6627 are you on the Everything Jetski g Facebook group? My name is Ryan Stewart in that group

[@obedm.6627]

@@stewartsskirestorationhubno, what website did you get the pole from?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

@@obedm.6627 www.alibaba.com/product-detail/jet-ski-parts-components-custom-cnc_1600307726944.html?spm=a2700.shop_plgr.41413.133.119a625b9UBqv8

[@fomomofo6917]

I’m totally ignorant on stand up skis, but why would you convert from a 1500 down to an 1100?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

i think you missed the intro. it explains why >< lol.

[@fomomofo6917]

@@stewartsskirestorationhub okay. I was working on the house while I was listening to this, so I’m sure I missed plenty.

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

@@fomomofo6917 no problem. basically its because you can get the hull for 900$ . and if you can find a cheap sitdown out in the wild, just throw the engine in the ski and you got yourself a very affordable build. The reason why theres alot of these SXR hulls out there with no engines is because Kommander guts those brand new engines and discards the hulls in bulk.

[@precisesolutions8120]

you get any closer on your jetting ?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Ill be trying 95m. 130p next. 105m is still only liking 1/2 turn out. And im at 2 full turns out on low jet in order for it to start effectively and get through to the popnoff section smoothly. It actually runs great with the above, but it can be better

[@precisesolutions8120]

@@stewartsskirestorationhub what did you see ?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

@@precisesolutions8120 been too busy. perhaps this next week i can find time.

[@precisesolutions8120]

@@stewartsskirestorationhub copy. Thanks

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

So i swapped to 2.0ns instead of 2.3 and then used a 95 gram spring. Smoothed it out way more. I then did a 95m jet and also improved it. Basically perfect. But i also went from a 110p to 120p and now a 125p and im noticing im going the opposite direction it needs to. I may try going back to 110p. 95m. 2.0ns. 95g spring. And try that out next. Im currently on 95m. 125p. 95g spring 2.0 ns . With 7/8 out on low. And 1/4 out high. High feels insanely perfect now but low feels very doggy. Full trigger pull is fine, but quarter trigger pull feels doggy.

[@CodysGarage]

pro watercraft sells a/m 1500 driveshafts for around 200$.

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

wow, thats affordable. good to know

[@revvinkevin85]

they are way more than that now, closer to $450

[@precisesolutions8120]

What altitude are you riding at ?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

I ride at 2550 , 3200, and 5000 elevations

[@precisesolutions8120]

@@stewartsskirestorationhub Im at 3500 building a kommander k1 with a 1100 in it with 44 on it was wondering how your jetting worked out for you ?

[@stewartsskirestorationhub]

Im still trying out jets. The 120m was way too rich . It liked 1/2 turn out and nothing else. So I tried 115m jets and it still liked 1/2. Today after work ill be trying 100m. I haven't quite figured out the low jets out, but im thinking it needs 120p or more.

[@precisesolutions8120]

@@stewartsskirestorationhub keep me in the loop if you dont mind. Thanks