Modern Vespa

I've been looking around but I can't find any aftermarket engine performance kits or parts for the BV 500 Master 460 engine. Piaggio seems to have done their own big bore with the Master 492 engines, but I don't know if the 460 case can use the 494 cylinder and other components. Any ideas?

It is my understanding that the differences between the 460 and 492 MASTER engines are very minimal - it seems a lot of folks with MASTER engined scooters modify exhaust systems and roller weights for performance increases.

I had installed Dr. Pulley sliders per the MP3 500 threads and the difference was significant - it made the MASTER feel more responsive to starting out.

Here is the super 'Beo that someone built a few years back

You should be able implement most if not all of the mods mentioned on your BV.

Malossi makes a cam, but most of the aftermarket focus in that displacement is on the T-Max engine.

Doesn't the 492 head have twin spark plugs?

Yes the 493 has two spark plugs vs. the single spark plug of the 460. It is my understanding that the 493 was developed to improve emissions compliance rather than develop more power. I found it difficult to find spec sheets for the two engines side-by-side and even technical details from Piaggio itself have slightly different numbers.

According to one Piaggio data sheet, the 492 develops 42.2 Nm at 5500 RPM, with 39.5 HP at 7500 RPM. According to another data sheet, the 460 develops 43 Nm at 5500 RPM with 39 HP at 7250 RPM. I suspect that there are differences due to the specific engine tuning between the various scooters that used the engine including the X9, BV500, Scarabeo 500, etc.

Some data sheets for perusing:

493cc specs

http://www.engines.piaggio.com/data/Master_400_500_rev1.6.pdf
http://www.uk.piaggio.com/piaggio/UK/en/modelli-intro/models/gt/mp3-lt/attachmentBrochure/2013_piaggio_scooters_brochure_uk.pdf

460cc specs

http://it.dealerarea.piaggio.com/areadealer/manuali/IT/VGP-BEVERLY500/Beverly500.pdf

Thanks all for the info posted so far. Here's the problem. I may have a cracked cylinder that will need to be replaced anyways. So instead of paying for a stock cylinder, I'm looking at options to upgrade performance at the same time, since the marginal cost of the upgrade isn't much when you already have to replace the stock parts. The engine also has more than 20K miles on it, so I'm looking to do a complete overhaul just to know that it should be good to go for another 20K+.

I'm already aware that the specs for the 492cc version are very similar to the 460cc, but specs can be deceiving. The extra displacement of the 492 should be able to produce more power than the 460cc when the other restrictions are addressed, such as the exhaust, intake, and CVT, which I plan to do at the same time.

So I'm not really comparing the stock 460 to the 492. I'm comparing the potential of upgrades vs. rebuilding with entirely stock components.

It's just that I'm not actually seeing any info on upgrades or performance parts, so that's what I'm trying to find.

That makes perfect sense. I also wish there were some performance options kits available.