1)  748 throttle bodies are single injector, 916 throttle bodies are single injector, 996 throttle bodies are Dual injector.  A lot of people race 996 with single injectors I am told.  I used my 1998 748 single injector throttle bodies with a 2000 996 motor.  You need a chip that will get the timing right.. I used a Ducati Performance 916 phase 1 for a 1998 motor (Ducati changed the computer type on the 916 bikes somewhere around 1997 or so, hence ask for a1998 chip and you will be fine).  I have heard good things about Fast By Ferraci 916 phase 1 chips as well.... Alternatively, you can go with 996 throttle bodies if you get them with a motor.. then you would go with a 996 phase 1 chip.  I have riden a phase 1 996 with dual injector throttle bodies and mine with single... I prefer single...

 

some people include the throttle bodies with the motor, some do not.  Just know what you are getting into.

 

2)  1998 748 has automatically retracting kickstand (spring loaded).  newer bikes have electronic kill switch on the kick stand.  I kept my 748 kick stand as my wiring harness did not have electronic kick stand connector anyway.  (you can do whatever you want on this part).  Just make sure you address the electronic kickstand if you wiring harness is setup for one.  I did not swap out the wiring harness.  No real need to.  Some people sell the motors with the wiring harness.  Take it if they do, you can get some cash for wich ever one you do not use.

 

3)  996 has an oil cooler and I don't think that the 748 had one if I am not mistaken.  The Triangle faring piece behind your front wheel should have a cut out or something to accomodate the oil cooler.  I am not sure that this is consistent with all 748 years however.  In other words, this is not a problem.

 

4)  I have Carbon Fiber Remus slip wheons that I purchased when I had the 748 motor.  These work fine with the 996 as long as the proper chip accompanies as noted above.  All exhaust tubes forward of the slip-ons are the same between both motors.  Most slip ons as well as half and full systems should be the same between motors as well, with proper computer chip...

 

5)  The sprockets/chain are a bit wider by default on 996 bikes than 916 and 748 if I am not mistaken.  I just kept my front and rear sprocket, as well as chain from my 748.  This is the size of chain that a lot of guys race with on the track anyway I hear, so no worries, you will just strech it quicker with the bigger motor I suppose.

 

6)  All fuel line and pump stuff works fine in my configuration.  I have heard that the pump or fuel filter or something is different on the 996.  I did not have any issues with the configuration noted above.  You might want to check on this..  I originally got the bike running with the 996 motor and the Fast by Ferraci chip that you now have.  This made the bike behave like it was starving for O2.  Some people told me something about the fuel system configuration differences between 748 and 996... however the 916 chip resolved this fuel problem well.  Computers are the same between 748 and 996... as I have said before, get the right chip for what you are doing (I know I have already said this many times, but this is what slowed me down when I was trying to make this work).

 

7)  I think that I had to change out the neutral light sensor between motors because the wiring harness was slightly different.  no big deal though.

 

8)  996 typically has Ohlins suspension while 748 has Showa.  No need to swap out any of this stuff.  Showa is pretty kickin' anyway.

 

9)  I had a bigger rear sprocket (to give me some punch on the 748).  I kept this.  the 996 will try to stand up in the first three gears... watch out.  My rear sprocket is aluminum.  The teeth will be streached quicker than I would like... Oh well.  I will likely get a standard 748 sprocket the next time around.  The 996 motor is way more powerfull. No need to simulate punch with altered gearing...although a big sprocket and a 996 is a wicked combo.  You probably lose 5-7MPH off the top end, but... who cares?  Very nice....

 

10) The swing arm does not have to be removed from the frame during the motor swap.  This is a good thing. On a 900ss or similar machines, the swing arm bolts to the motor.  That can be tricky to line up on those bikes.

 

11)  Front or head stand is not required.  I did not use one during my project.  Rear stand is definately helpful and recommended... especially if you have an autoretracting kickstand :).  I have a pit bull single sided swing arm stand.  I think the Ducati performance ones are nicer, however Pit Bull is like $90 on ebay.

 

Overall the swap out was pretty simple.  All harness stuff is pretty much plug and play.  I rode my 748 11k in about 8 months before I broke it.  The 996 gives you everything you are missing performancewise in the 748, without giving up the headaches that all Ducati owners are familiar with, like wicked high maintenance and expensive parts.... :)  When I broke my 748 I rode every big bore twin I could get my hands on, the only thing that I have found which outperforms a 748 (from the rider's perspective) is the 996.  I recommend the upgrade.  (ps.  Aprillia Mile 998 takes second and Triumph Daytona..actually a triple takes third, I did not get to ride a Honda RC51, wicked performance and reliability.  There is a concept.. but, it is not Italian, it is not the same.  Ducati wins hands down in the style and performance combo.  Ducati loses big time in the reliability and endurance testing.  I have had two Ducatis.  About 21k of perfection between the two of them in a year and a half, also two motor replacements and a broken headbolt on one of the replacement motors.. so kind of like three motor replacements)   The only interesting thing I can say to this is... I am still riding Ducati. 

 

Addictive.

 

Check out this site to find more motors, you can post a motor wanted too, people are pretty responsive to that.  This is where I got my 2000 996 motor...

 

Good luck

 

Ken