Stock Air Filter Modification

[Vertigo117]

So people are saying modifying the stock air filter is better then an aftermarket one, on the 06 zx10r... can anyone go over the process? Also, theres talk around that the K&N is actually worse than the stock filter... how is that so?

[Kawi_T]

I run a modified stock air filter in my ZX12. The stock filter looks like a plastic frame with a foam filter and a fine screen over it. Mine has no foam so its just a frame with a screen over it. The guy who works on my bike swears by this and has done this mod on almost all the bikes he works on. I have also heard that K&N's are crap. I think its because they are very restrictive (?) or maybe become restrictive when dirty (?).
So my bike has full aftermarket exhaust, PC3, custom map, the smog pump has been converted to a crankcase evacuation pump (anybody else doing this mod?), and air filter mod; was good for 165HP on the dyno.

[Vertigo117]

could this possibly allow contaminants into the engine and cause damage or wear...?

[Vertigo117]

what about in the rain? i get caught in the rain a lot...

[CUCULANDRA]

The Mod To The Stock Air Filter Is Removal Of The Foam And Just Leaving The Metal Screen In. It Will For Sure Be The Best Mod... But Think About It, Your Engine Will Take In Alot More Stuff That Means You Will Have To Clean Your Throttle Body's Or Carbs Much Sooner And More Time Sync Them Also... Removing The Filter Element From The Stock Is Basiclly Stupid If You Ask Me, For The 1 Maybe 1.1 Hp You Will Gain You Can Cause Your Engine More Damage In The Long Run. Just Leave It Alone Or Buy An Aftermarket One. ALSO THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU BRING YOUR BIKE IN FOR A PROBLEM AT THE DEALER AND THEY SEE WHAT YOU DID TO THE FILTER AND SAY OPPPSSS NO NO NO VERTIGO YOUR NOT COVERED.. YOU ALTERED WITH THE STOCK AIR FILTER AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE...

[CUCULANDRA]

The Water Will Not Enter Your Engine Even If No Filter Is Present, Before It Can Reach The Throttle Bodys It Will Drop Down In A Little Hole In The Air Box And Get Pushed Out. It's Called Something Like Snorkel Hole Or Something. Anyways Vertigo No Need To Worry If You Ride In The Rain, I Have Ridden Mine In A Hail Storn, Had To Lift My Visor Cause I Couldnt See Crap And Got A Hit Right In The Nose... But The Zx10 Was Still Riding Boi...

[Vertigo117]

Originally Posted by CUCULANDRA

YOUR BIKE IN FOR A PROBLEM AT THE DEALER AND THEY SEE WHAT YOU DID TO THE FILTER AND SAY OPPPSSS NO NO NO VERTIGO YOUR NOT COVERED.. YOU ALTERED WITH THE STOCK AIR FILTER AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE...

Minus the part where i do all my own work to my bike... I dont bring it to dealerships

[KawieKrazy]

dude, when you put that HR pipe on and go with a high flow filter you will need a PCIII if you dont already have one

[Spliffyaid]

If you have a stock air pipe, cut the paper off, so you are left with a metal mesh, it ill need cleaning out more (insects and stuff)

BUT..........unless you get the bike remapped, the fuelling will stay the same, as will the performance :)

[Vertigo117]

Originally Posted by KawieKrazy

dude, when you put that HR pipe on and go with a high flow filter you will need a PCIII if you dont already have one

Need? I know it would do good but i didnt think it would hurt to not have one... by the way its here thursday and im installing it friday (thats an excited rolling on the floor, not a laughing one)

[Vertigo117]

Originally Posted by Spliffyaid

BUT..........unless you get the bike remapped, the fuelling will stay the same, as will the performance :)

I thought you got at least a smoother power curve and crisper throttle response... if not a pony or two... i mean i know its no huge noticeable gain or anything w/o a PC3 but does it really stay exactly the same?

[Spliffyaid]

Originally Posted by Vertigo117

but does it really stay exactly the same?

Yep* :)

Your ECU has software downloaded to it, to tell it what fuel to move at what RPM etc .......*it can soften and lean to a degree, but you need a custom map really.........

[Vertigo117]

What about the throttle response and whatnot?

[KawieKrazy]

dude talk to the guy at HR1, they dyno the bikes and know the deal, I for one would not run without the foam, that might be the dumbest suggestion I have ever heard, it will not get you anything worth talking about and IMHO will cause more pain than gain in the long run, but what do I know?, someone will definitely say I am wrong

[Vertigo117]

Yeah I was planning on leaving the filter alone until I can get my hands on a PC3.... man, i wish I could start over with an 06/07 ZX10R with 0 miles and just break it in the way I want to...