SUCCESS STORIES of PODS and 4 into 1 EXHAUST

- - - This thread is a data-dump for the specific modifications and the actual jetting that it took to make it work. You can also post combinations that didn't work. Just the facts, Ma'am !!

1. (Model) XJ750RH
2. (miles, or K's) 37,000
3. (compression average) 147 PSI
4. (elevation) 93 feet
5. (intake) PODS, no velocity stacks.
6. (exhaust) MAC 4 into 1
7. (jets, other mods) 118 Main (yes, smaller than stock)
(comments) The bike cruised around great, but had no top end horsepower. This was the as-purchased condition, and needed 124's

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1. XJ900RK
2. 32,000
3. 147 PSI
4. 93
5. 20 holes drilled in airbox, stock filter
6. 4 into 1, straight thru glasspack, a bit loud.
7. unknown jets. Passed clunk test in situ.
(comments) Occasionally there's a transitional stumble, pulls strong at the top end, great gas mileage too.

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Follow the above pattern and post your info, with any luck this will become a guide for future modders.

 

Good god you never lower the jet size and make a motorcycle breathe better your gonna melt something. Add air take away fuel = Disaster

 

Well, my 750 is a good example of a bad example.

Are all the pod proud and loud pipe people suddenly silent ??

 

Ok have to admit my maxim x ran ok. It has aftermarket tail pipes with the baffles removed. I have no idea what jet sizes are in it. It would start very hard after it sits for a week. The low end throttle response isnt the best. I pulled the pods and replaced them with a pvc duel pod manifold .It starts a bit easier. My final decision was made to put an airbox on it. I bought 1 from a guy on here with a k@n in it. When i clean the carbs when i pull them I will install it. I am not sure if i am going to put the 4-1 exhaust on it if i do will jet accordingly

 

1. (Model) XJ750J Maxim
2. (miles, or K's) 20,000?? going off of memory (currently at work)
3. (compression average) Never checked
4. (elevation) Whatever Annville, PA is
5. (intake) PODS, K&N
6. (exhaust) MAC 4:1
7. (jets, other mods) I believe 124's I forget the pilots (I think one over stock). I'll check my notes on my desk at home, if I can find them.

Only rode about 500 miles last year. But, rode AWESOME. Plugs looked great after each ride. Pulls nice. Very happy. Can't wait to finish the project and ride again this spring.
Thanks,
Jason

 

I've stated my case before. It's useless to fight for a case-as rarely as I'm on this forum- when the stock/airbox crew are here *everyday* screaming about how horrible pods are. I'm not being silent, just no longer wasting my time defending pods. I can't follow every pod post and tell people I run open exhaust and stock jets and my bike runs great. I do however like to keep the purests in check and get 'em riled up sometimes, after they've written 2 paragraphs about why not to use pods. The bottom line (for me) is that I know pods can be ran and tuned to the "razors edge", and those that don't believe can keep wasting their days writing about why pods won't work. It's really not hard to get them tuned perfectly with the correct skillset and toolbox. I'VE GOT 15,000+ MILES ON MINE TO PROVE IT.

 

pods success story

1. (Model) XJ750RH
2. (miles, or K's) a lot! took the speedo off the bike at 86,000miles. no oil smoke or consumption. i dont know if the engine was rebuilt previous to my owning it.
3. (compression average) unknown, it starts right up in sub zero temps, so it cant be bad!
4. (elevation) usually sea level, often travels up to 1000feet above.
5. (intake) PODS, no velocity stacks.
6. (exhaust) 4 into 1 header (unknown brand) custom straight through glasspack muffler with 1 7/8" diameter inside.
7. (jets, other mods) cannot give it an exact number because i drilled them with carb drills. they are close to 122mains. went up 1 size on the pilot and was able to make it run but the fuel screws were almost 4.5 out, so i went up 2 and now the fuel screws are average 2 turns. ***the pilot jetting change was required BEFORE the installation of pods. i do not believe the pods would have changed the baseline pilot jetting at all. i installed the pods before i ever got the bike fine tuned to perfection so i cannot tell what difference the pods would have made.

the plugs are all the perfect dark tan for my average not-racing riding, or if i do a wide open pull through 4th on fresh plugs i will get a lighter tan. i do believe the pilot circuit is a little rich for the hotter days, but it runs beautifully, doesnt foul plugs EVER, and it starts and idles quite nicely for most of the riding season. the really hot days you can tell its rich, but it still runs fine and smooth. the very cold days (below freezing) it will require the enrichment circuit to start and run for about 2 minutes at high idle, then it runs just a touch lean on pilot, but not lean enough to worry me. it just gets a little rougher idle than normal and it will engine break and pop a bit more on decel. on a 70 degree day its perfect.

 

anything can be made to run on pods. It just takes time an a drawer full of jets. But most people get tired of pulling the carbs off and putting them back on. plus the cost factor of the jets. Also people tend to change to many things at 1 time and really foul things up. Most people put pods on also because of the pain in the but factor of getting the airbox reconnected to the carbs. Others think they are going to get more performance with them or like the looks. Bottom line is if you put them on and you like the way it runs for you thats all that matters

 

Cutlass, thanks for posting the well worn warning - - that'll at least keep RickCo out of this thread. :wink:

There will always be new guys showing up here, already having PODS, wanting to POD, hardtail or frame modders, all needing advise.

To help others post easier, here's a template to cut-and-paste:

1. (Model) XJ
2. (miles)
3. (compression average) PSI
4. (elevation) feet
5. (intake)
6. (exhaust)
7. (jets, other mods)
(comments)

 

I'm with Kevineleven on this one. Everytime I comment on pods I'm accused of giving bad advise and I'm leading someone down a dark empty road full pain and sorrow even though I tell them to go ahead and try pods if you don't like them you can change everything back to stock. This is why I spend 99% of my time on thechopperunderground.com hundreds of hardtailed bobbers, and cafe racer running pods with modified exhaust and know one bitching about it. If pods where so impossible to tune and damaging to bikes I think people would have stopped buying them long ago think about supply and demand.

 

1. (Model) XJ650
2. (miles, or K's) Around 33,000
3. (compression average) unknown will get to it 1 day
4. (elevation) just a guess but any where from 1-20feet??
5. (intake) home made velocity stacks, and a uni filter from jcwhitney. The stacks I have made hold the filter inside them.
6. (exhaust) 4 into 2 to straight pipes. Will be changed
7. Stock jets. Will be changed when ready.

Running on the lean side. The bike is pretty much done but not completed yet. I am not one sided about the pod thing. Although I am not running the stock box I understand the non pod guys. To each there own, correct? When I find the right bike I will restore it, no mods. I love seeing originals but love to express myself by molding a bike. Thankfully there are enough Junkers out there to chop for cheap. Once I find the bike I am looking for I will have my experiment and my restoration. My garage has room for more than just a bobbed rat rod.

You have to love a clean bike, but also the art and style of a dirty bike.

 

I took the time to make a video of my bike starting and idling and revving perfectly with no signs of backfiring or any negative performance yet somehow that video got no response from the "it can't be done" crew. As if noone wanted to comment when they were proven wrong. Go figure. Its till up here somewhere I'm sure. Dig deep in the archives I guess

 

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=12893.html

there ya go bud, I remember the video, but this computer has "missing plug-ins" that i installed twice.... wish it was on youtube..

 

Alright, try this one on:
xj550,
unknown miles
Unknown compression
1-3k feet
I'm running no filters and its running fine, doesn't start worth a damn in the cold (I still don't know why using a heat gun on the carbs and bloke help make it start), but when its running it runs great.
4 into 2 stock exhaust
Unknown Jetting (I've been told its been modified though)
I'm running no filters and its running fine, doesn't start worth a damn in the cold (I still don't know why using a heat gun on the carbs and bloke help make it start), but when its running it runs great.

 

It is on youtube. Search " xj chopped stretched".

 

Grab the dogs and hide the kids !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K23pNFxG ... 5&index=49

Those are individual header tubes 6-7 feet long !!
I liked it rusty and unfinished, but it's so hard to maintain rust.
Awesome build Kevin.

 

I see my words in the other thread have had their intended effect. I'll likely never go with pods, but it's good to see those who like to mod doing it sucessfully! I'm still working on getting it to run right in the original configuration. Maybe one day.

 

That chop of Kevin's is my favorite XJ chop. I love it. I hope mine turns out as nice. Since I am starting with just and XJ550 frame and motor I can do anything I want. Don't have a stock airbox for it so gonna go pods on it. I think the main point that has been made on here is that pods are not an install and go type of part. They cause the need for rejetting which takes time to get right for your bike. For some the trial and error part of it gets to be too much. It can be done as has been shown with many members' bikes. Lots of failed attempts too. Success is really determined by the owners determination to get it right along with the proper know how of how to tune a bike.

 

I do get a little concerned with the focus on only pilot screw adjustment, or even just jet size. We need to be aware that needle size and shape, emulsion tube holes, and float levels can all be altered to tune the bike at different levels of throttle and speed.

It's not a simple process, and I know sometimes what feels faster isn't what is faster. We need to do quarter mile times (or eighth mile times, more realistically) to determine power in lieu of a dyno.

In line with this thread, maybe we should list any other mods to the carbs, and cooresponding 1/8 mile times/speeds?

 

I have to agree with with this. It is really hard to tell how much power you have gained without a Dyno. My bike is all stock but I will have to re-jet it because I did put a K&N air filter on it. Would like to pipe it also but one thing at a time. I like to run Trick Racing fuel in it for a real Boost.