Pods vs Stock air box

[DenyP]

I know many of our folks have chosen to adapt their bikes to pod filters rather then the stock air box configuration. My question is why? My XS1100E with a winjammer fairing and a 280 lb rider will do over 100 miles per hour in third gear with the 850 mod. and I am running a stock air box. Changing to pods requires messing with the carb jetting. What is the end result? Is there a significant performance increase? I went to pods on my Tripple as the PO had lost the airbox cover and was running it w/o a filter (not for long I hope!) I installed EMGO pod filters until I could find a replacement airbox. I could tell no significant differance in performance after switching back to the factory air box. Now I know it is much easier to pull the carbs for service with pods, but there must be a better reason! Please advise this humble old biker.

Thanx

Deny

[randy]

Nope, can't think of a reason. If you've got it jetted properly no reason to be pulling the carbs.

[T99Ford]

Open a can of worms...

Deny--
The performance gain from pods is probably there, though slight. You might think you have more power because you get more throttlebody noise. It sounds cool. I think most people do it for looks (I did, since I like that look), or their airbox was trashed and pods are a cheap and easy replacment option. And, like you said, some service procedures are easier.
There really isn't that much jetting needed to put the pods on. But since most people are increasing jet sizes to accomodate more air, and if this + fuel/air mixture is all getting burned, you will be making more hp and less mileage. But that all depends on if the person doing the jetting did it right. The airbox on these bikes was not part of a tuned intake, as airboxes became later on. The airbox is somewhat restrictive, and gives little (if any) harmonic benefit. When I put pods on, I left the stock jetting alone, and it made my stock jetting a little better. This is probably one of the more debated subjects on here, and there are strong champions for either. I think everyone would agree that it a mod that makes more "looks" performance than wheel performance. Major performance is picked up elsewhere.

[jetmechmarty]

losing airbox

If it ain't broke; why fix it?

[Silent]

I did K&N pods on my Ninja once. The only gain I found was that I had gained a headache trying to get the jetting right, and another sustained headache from the added intake noise. I pulled them off about a week later and went back to stock jetting and the stock airbox. Some people swear by pods, then again, some people like chocolate ice cream, some vanilla. I'll pass on the pods and grab a 50/50 at Fosters instead

[TADracer]

If you are staying bone stock on the motor, exhaust, etc. then definately keep the air box. It was designed to be right for the stock setup.

Pods will not give any better performance alone. All they will do is help remove any restriction there may be in the airstream and make the air filtering process 'transparent'. Now if you are adding a high performance exhaust or doing some head work or playing around with cams and cam timing then air volume in, exhaust volume out becomes an issue if you want to get the most of your mods. Then pods would be in order.

In any event, they are not just a bolt on proposition. Tuning will most always be required.

[JC FC]

i went pods because its alot cheaper then to buy an airbox (mine was missing)
and i like the look.
not for any performance reason at all

[fredintoon]

It's magic

I know many of our folks have chosen to adapt their bikes to pod filters rather then the stock air box configuration. My question is why? - - - Now I know it is much easier to pull the carbs for service with pods, but there must be a better reason! Please advise this humble old biker.
Thanx Deny

Hi Deny,
or rather, swapping the stock airbox for pods works like magic.
Back when I got my XS11SG it was suffering from years of neglect and abuse and those carbs were forever needing to be worked on.
I got so mad at the effort, the blood and the pain involved in R&Ring that accurséd airbox every time that I set it on a shelf and installed UNIpods instead.
Although the bike now has a louder intake drone the performance has not changed.
What has changed is that ever since I installed the UNIpods the carbs have worked perfectly.
Like I said, it's magic.

[madmax-im]

I went to K-N pod filters 2 yrs ago...at first I thought they would add some performance...but mostly did it because I too like the looks of 4 individual pods.I had to rejet anyway because i also added an aftermarket exhaust. It took a while for me to get the jetting issues sorted but now things are just fine...

[danteinien]

I like the look, and I can't imagine them hurting at all, if anything, I would think they would help. I had to rejet, but I'm running a 4-1 with no baffling.... Runs awesome!

And, talk about a total PITA to remove the carbs with the airbox in...

[thewiz]

Interesting discussion ...

I have a G with a header, VM33 smooth bore carbs and a K&N insert in the factory air box that has run annoyingly rich at idle ever since I've had it. I have tried dropping a size on the pilots but it wouldn't even run. I have the air mix screws backed almost all the way out just make it behave somewhat but it runs fine once the throttle is opened.

Reading this thread with interest makes me wonder if PODS or a drilled box might help alleviate the rich condition? Any of you carb tuners care to opine?

[randy]

Backing out the 'air' screws will RICHEN the mixture

[trbig]

I can't speak for the XS owners, but anyone who asks, "Why did you put pod filters on?" to an XJ owner... has never removed the XJ's carbs. It made the carb removal/reinstall go from close to an hour of wrenching and twisting those expensive boots, to @ 5-10 minutes for the whole process. All I had to do was go up one size on the mains.

Tod

[79XS11F]

Putting POD air filters on a stock engine will not reap much in the way of added performance unless the jetting of the carbs is truly right on the money. However. If you have installed a big bore kit, 4 - 1 performance pipes, done any port work or any combination of the three, POD filters should be considered to help those other modifications work to the max. Yes jetting can be a pain in the back side and the engine will likely not run real well in all the ranges but in the ranges where it does run well. Look out, the performance is there to be had and it's not just seat of the pants. All that being said, if you find yourself running around at 3500 RPM most of the time, don't bother. If your like me and like to be turning 5 to 6K most of the time, the 11s power or added power is just a heart beat away.
Rob

[thewiz]

All due respect, but I think not on the smooth bores like it does on the CVs , Randy,

. Lookin' at the diagram in the Sudco book, (which I don't have in my hand since I'm not at my place right at the moment) IIRC, it appears like the screw goes to an air jet allowing more air in as the screw is backed out thus leaning the idle mixture. Idle fuel path looks like a constant stream that's later mixed with air controlled by the idle screw.

I'd love to be wrong here, though.