Air box v.s. filter pods

I have a XJ550 maxim
I had the carbs cleaned and brought back to life. It took quite a few tries but working fine. I still would like to do a lot more fine tuning to get this thing to purr. I removed the air box and intented to install filter pods instead. When I called to order them the shop guy told me this was not a good idea since this would counter the vacume created in the filter box.
Is this true? Is it possible to adjust with the pods instead?
Learning my way through this.
Any ideas?

 

Search the forums. There are LOTS of discussions about this exact topic.

And listen to that shop guy.

 

+1 ^^^^

There are plenty of discussions on this topic.

You'll probably see the extremes: the guys who swear that pods are the greatest thing ever and that they're getting more HP and all that, and then there are the "if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it" guys who seem to appreciate the original design and tend to favor the yamaha stock options.

But my 2 cents... listen to your friend at the shop.

Pods are inconsistent, and make it extremely difficult to tune your carbs properly. Putting pods on is easy, figuring out jet sizes and making adjustments... its all kind of guess work. No one in the forums here has agreed on the necessary changes after switching to pods. Everyone has their own idea of what makes it run best. But the fact is, its going to make you run lean.

Personally, I'm just sticking with Yamaha's design.

 

When I bought my bike for $450, I told the PO that this was the first bike I'd ever worked on. He said it would be a GREAT first bike. The carbs just needed to be cleaned, the rear brake was sticking, but it ran. 1 year later and 1.5 -2 grand (I try not to keep EXACT track :roll: ) and it's a great bike. But the one thing he did tell me...get rid of those pods and put an airbox in. It was one of the few things he was ABSOLUTELY right about.

 

I agree, did you try just taking the cover and air filter off of the stock air box? I actually think the problem is in that the stock filter is too restrictive and the air box inlet (and snorkel) is too small. It's only plastic I cut a 3" hole in the side and blocked the hole in the top, removed the snorkel and moved the electronics from the side to the top, under the seat and got immediate results. Yes the carbs needed to be rejetted but all 4 are the same, I reduced the restriction in the exaust too I must have gained 15% overall when I got the exaust right. It is reduced when I run the UNI filter in the box. But thats easy enough to take out friday night at the dragstrip! I got a 3"snorkel made for fuel injected cars and mounted it on the side (with 1 push rivet and some model glue) soon I'll install a pleated stainless mesh filter there; When I find one that clears the side panel and frame. (Uni makes a large foam filter for Yam 450 quads that has a 3" inlet mount). Once you get the carbs dialed in just slightly lean you can fine tune them with shims which I've yet to do. By the way, the end cyinders tend to run a little cooler than the center two, more air flow around the cylinders I think. Yamaha even ran different spark resistors for #s 1&4 than 2&3 maybe to adjust for this. Anyway it goes fast enough for the street and I only have to service one (foam) air filter now.

 

It was nice of the guy to give you sound advice rather than sell you a nightmare, just to move some freight.

Let's Clean and Tune-up the Bike in its Stock configuration, for the season, before dealing with the extremely arduous process of experimentation with re-jetting and other adjusting to get the Bike to run.

If, as you say ... the Carbs are Cleaned and its running reasonably well, ... we can do some Fine-Tuning and get it right on-the-money, ... and you can Zoom-around having a ball.

(( Go to: Your Account. Add info for "Location" and utilize the Signature Feature with "Thumbs" about your Bike. ))

Year -- Model -- Mileage -- Stock or Mods

 

Just get a good shrink and you'll be fine.

 

I'm with the others- I bought one with the pods, and the PO was bragging about how it was all set up, custom carb work, etc. All I could hear when I turned my wrist was air sucking in, spitting and sputtering, etc. It was running too lean. Found a used airbox on eBay and after a little wrestling to get it in and hooked up, it was WELL worth it. Much more responsive, better running and almost as important, better for wet weather surprises!

Stay with that stock airbox unless you have the time and money, and a desire for heartbreak and tinkering.

 

Mackey:

Polish the Carb Bores.
You can probably do them without removing the Rack.
Get all she's got when you goose it.

 

I don't think I'll have room for the stock air box if I hardtail it though, so I guess I'm just screwed. I MIGHT hold out and just ride it with shorter shocks this season and hardtail it over the winter.

My vote is that you listen to these guys. Good advice on here.

 

Has anyone tried the the two port oval filters from k&n instead of just going with the four pods?

 

That's what I have on my gsxr and they perform great.

 

well i think that is going to be the way im going to go. I should be able the get more vacuum then just pods but still have the look.