[bobthebiker]

I've been looking at, thinking about and deciding how to improve the airflow to my 500's stock boxes for awhile now. what I want to try doing is setting up a ram air system like the larger 600's and up have on them. problem is, I'm not sure how to set it up so it doesnt look obvious. anyone got some ideas?

 

[Guest]

ram air only works at really high speeds, and would be useless on our bikes...

 

[knightslugger]

change your carbs first.

the highest pressure zone on a motorcycle is right at the nose jsyk.

 

[tundrafiend01]

[it] would be useless on our bikes...

I agree. If you're trying to improve performance on the EX500, good luck. You'd be better off getting a 600.

Increasing airflow is a tricky and usually unsuccessful task for our bikes. It would require adjusting the pilot screws to increase fuel flow to match the increase in airflow. Since you're thinking of ram air, the increase in air would only be noticeable at higher speeds, therefore you'd run rich at lower speeds and then slowly lean out the faster you go.

As aforementioned, this mod wouldn't be worth it. Lookup FOG's airbox mod and pilot screw adjustment for mild HP gains.

 

[maverick9611]

fill em in and put blinkers there!!!

 

[OreoGaborio]

I don't remember where I read it, nor what the exact details are so don't take my word as law, but I believe Kawi's ram air design on the 636 was found to be effective at the lowest speed of whatever bikes the magazine researched, but still didn't generate positive pressure & improve power output untill about 105mph.

This isn't the article I remember reading, but this will give you an idea as to how much a non aerodynamics engineer like yourself would have to work at rigging up an effective ram air system

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9912_ram/

 

[Janinja]

Ok listen close. The stock airbox can be altered in a few different manners. Here is what will and will not work, and has been tested on the dyno for accurate and non bs answeres.

1. Replace the stock air filter with a K&N Air Filter ($50) This will give you slighting better breathing...not enough to raise even 1hp, regardless what it states on their site. You may also have to adjust the pilot screws to get the air/fuel mixture accurate once you alter the airflow by changing the filter.

2. Remove the stock airbox and buy PODS (either K&N or UNI Pods each around $40-$50) These are supposed to "increase" air flow which means "more air equals more power" WRONG to some degree. Using pods will most likely result in you rejetting your bike and also messing with pilot screws again to fix the flat spots that you just created at 4-6rpm. These pods with correct jetting (which is actualy fixing a problem not making it have more power) can yeild a 1-1.5hp increase....mind you, you have a dyno and know how to install, and tune correctly. Jetkits and pods are a waste of time on this bike, adding more fuel or more air WILL NOT add more hp to this bike. Think for a second. Do you have more smarts than a team of Japanese engineers?

3. This is a proven self made mod done by a vet racer and many others (including myself). Take out your airbox, and then drill out a 1" hole on the right side (the side without the horn sticking out the rear). This lets the air flow better, and CAN add a slight 1-2hp increase. This has been dynoed, and proven. Here is the link.
Fog's Air box Mod

I hope this info helps you in your discovery of ram air lol.

Janinja

 

[bobthebiker]

Thanks Janinja. guess my idea isnt exactly perfect, but I'll look into some of those others. as it is, I'm buying a CBR, so the ninja is going to be my little get around town/project bike to perfect.

the CBR600 has a good deal of balls on the ninja, even if it IS an F2 from 94.

 

[Janinja]

Yes it does. I had a freind who crashed his 92 f2, but before that we used to race....he would pull away after 2nd gear, but the ninja kept up to about 60-70mph. At a roll on on the highway....ninja does not really stand a chance, unless you suprise him and take off, hell have to catch up for a little while.
I love tinkering with this bike so if you do discover somthng...let me know !
Janinja

 

[Administrator]

Ok listen close. The stock airbox can be altered in a few different manners. Here is what will and will not work, and has been tested on the dyno for accurate and non bs answeres.

1. Replace the stock air filter with a K&N Air Filter ($50) This will give you slighting better breathing...not enough to raise even 1hp, regardless what it states on their site. You may also have to adjust the pilot screws to get the air/fuel mixture accurate once you alter the airflow by changing the filter.

2. Remove the stock airbox and buy PODS (either K&N or UNI Pods each around $40-$50) These are supposed to "increase" air flow which means "more air equals more power" WRONG to some degree. Using pods will most likely result in you rejetting your bike and also messing with pilot screws again to fix the flat spots that you just created at 4-6rpm. These pods with correct jetting (which is actualy fixing a problem not making it have more power) can yeild a 1-1.5hp increase....mind you, you have a dyno and know how to install, and tune correctly. Jetkits and pods are a waste of time on this bike, adding more fuel or more air WILL NOT add more hp to this bike. Think for a second. Do you have more smarts than a team of Japanese engineers?

3. This is a proven self made mod done by a vet racer and many others (including myself). Take out your airbox, and then drill out a 1" hole on the right side (the side without the horn sticking out the rear). This lets the air flow better, and CAN add a slight 1-2hp increase. This has been dynoed, and proven. Here is the link.
http://www.stevemorley.com/ex500/airbox/

I hope this info helps you in your discovery of ram air lol.

Janinja

I haven't done the airbox mod yet... but would like to. Would you guys like a write up on it, pics and all, like the Valve Adjustment?

 

[Guest]

Fog's Air box Mod

full writeup with pics on that page...

 

[bastard child]

that page just has the pics of the airbox with a drilled hole, doesn't go into adjusting the pilot screws, valves etc. it would be a good knowledge base article. do we have a knowledgebase? I haven't looked yet

 

[knightslugger]

we have stickys, and stickys have proven to be better than a KB... because people dive right into the forums first before they even look at other links.

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I remember this topic on the old forum. There was quite a war of words between some guy and FOG.

I don't think anyone has ever done it after being discouraged by other members. I'd like to see someone try, but like the rest I don't think it will help any.