Piaggio 350 Engine

Piaggio’s newest engine - the 350 is packed with a host of great features including:

·         4 valve head with roller cam followers.

·         Shim valve clearance adjustment.

·         Dry crankcase lubrication system with reed valve scavenge.

·         Coaxial coolant and oil pump drive.

·         Wet multi-plate centrifugal clutch.

The design of the 350 engine is all about performance and efficiency and provides equivalent output to the 400cc master engine with better fuel economy and lower emissions than the 300cc Quasar.

The 350 is only 60cc larger than the existing 300 but develops 50% more power!

Servicing:

Service intervals for the 350 are 10,000 km as per most of the Piaggio Vespa range however 15W – 50 engine oil is specified rather than the usual 5W – 40.

Full synthetic engine oil is specified as per usual. Oil volume for the 350 is 1500 ml.

80W – 90 gear oil to API GL4 is specified for the reduction gearbox (rear hub) which also lubricates the multi-plate clutch housed inside the newly designed rear hub.  Hub oil volume is 500 ml.

Valve clearance adjustment is via interchangeable shims which sit directly on top of the valve stems and are accessed by removing a snap-in control block which allows the rockers to be moved sideways for ease of access.

The 350 engine is currently available in the Beverley 350 & X10 350 models.  It's likely that this engine will eventually be used in other models such as the Yourban.  It's unlikely to be fitted to the Vespa frame however as the 350 is possibly too powerful for that frame and suspension format.

 Piaggio 350 Engine – Technical Specifications

Engine: Single-cylinder 4-stroke.

Engine capacity: 330 cm³.
Bore x Stroke: 78 mm x 69 mm.
Timing: 4-valve single overhead camshaft with roller rockers.
Cooling: Liquid.
Lubrication: Dry Crankcase.
Starter: Electric.
Gearbox: Speed CVT with torque server.
Clutch: Automatic centrifugal multi-disc oil bath.
Emissions: Euro 3.

New Three Valve Engine

Piaggio have developed a new 3 valve engine to replace the existing two valve “Leader” 125cc & 150cc series.  Like the Leader,  the “3V” is air cooled, is similar in physical size and shape and weighs about 1kg less.  In addition to the three valve cylinder head, (two inlets and one exhaust) the 3V boasts a number of major technical improvements.  The single over head camshaft is supported by anti-friction bearings and the valves are operated via roller type rockers.  The crankshaft is new as well and has been designed, like the valve train to reduce friction losses.  The cylinder bore to stroke ratio is different as is (not surprisingly) the valve timing.  Advancements have also been made to the cooling system, starter and ignition components.

The 3Vs will all be fuel injected and will come fitted with Marelli’s latest integrated ECU / throttle body know as the G3.  Advanced software design including a new approach to three dimensional fuel and ignition mapping are features of this system.

Performance increases of up to 10% are claimed while fuel consumption is reduced by as much as 30%.  Exhaust emission levels are also improved.

The new engine was developed at the Pontedera design facility and will be produced at Piaggio’s manufacturing facilities in Italy, India and the new engine plant outside Hanoi.

The 3V will be first seen in the Vespa LX and S 125 – 150 scooters and will be progressively rolled out to other Piaggio group models designed for this engine size such as Fly, Liberty, Typhoon etc.