I have an '03 Raptor. Last night I took off the airbox lid as suggested by many people. I have noticed some people just modify their airboxes though. Some cut holes in them and what not. Does it really make that much difference? I am going to leave mine off cause I got the Alba Stage 3 kit and it is suggested for best performance. I know my filter is going to get much more dirty without the lid, but I am concerned about riding in sand. Should I mod the airbox lid and put it on when I ride in the sand so it keeps the filter a little cleaner, or will that really hurt the performance?

Also, what the heck is that plastic "pouch" on the bottom of the airbox? It looks like it serves no purpose. I am think of removing it so water can run out the hole and doesn't accumulate in there when I am washing the bike. Should I leave it on there? What is it for?

Thanks.

 

Well, I can't tell you the scientific reason why it works, but it just does. I notice big time differences in power when I remove my lid. You just have to make sure your jetted correctly for it. As for riding in the Sand, that is where I mainly ride, as long as you have your prodesign or similar with k&n and outerwear, you should be fine....The little plastic thing on the bottom of your airbox collects debris that have entered it. I don't know how important it is, but I left mine on there..I don't see any reason for removing other then when I'm cleaning it.

 

That little pouch is GONE on mine. It held the water in the bottom of my airbox and got water in my carbs. Never again.

 

I will be jetted correctly for it. The stage 3 Alba kit comes with new jets. What is outerwear?? That pouch is definately coming off now. Thanks guys.

 

Also, I do hear that some of the pipe companies suggest removing the box lid, but somethings to consider; Don't run in alot of water.......It WILL take on water when going thru creek crossings aggresively, you will have to clean your filter more often, and raptors have CV carbs. Turbulance will be an issue.

 

The little plastic pouch helps to keep water out of the airbox with it on. But also allows you to drain quickly if water does get into the airbox.

Airbox mods allow for more air. With more air getting to your motor, the more fuel you can force in. Thus creating more power. Air/fuel equal more power. If you decide to run without the air box. Get a pre-filter. Sand gets into everything. The pre filter gives you added protection. The factory uses an airbox to minimise the dust and debris you get into your motor. But removing the lid does have benefits in power and torque.

If you remove the airbox lid, I sugguest getting good aftermarket filter and pre-filter. You might not notice the advantage just riding around, but if you dyno the bike you might see an increase of 1 to 2 hp at the wheels. If you decide to run with the lid off you will need to get a jet kit. When you allow more air you will need more fuel to prevent damage to the motor.

Outerwears and prefilters are the same thing. ITs an extra layer of foam that goes around the filter to stop dust from getting into filter

 

As a rule, the fewer turns and restrictions you have on a channel of air, the freeer and faster it will flow. ergo... removing the airbox lid allows the bike to breathe better. However, I ride in the sand alot and I don't like my aibox getting filled with sand. I bought a fantastic kit from www.ehsracing.com which allows you to permanently attach an outerwear to your airbox top allowing the same flow as no lid without getting all the trash in your aibox. We now run this kit on all our bikes from my 686 to my buddies Baja X to my bros KFX400.

Hey bryan, the point is to not get the water in the airbox. It's a bike, not a submarine. J/K. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]


~HoundDog

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Point taken hounddog. I had a race last weekend in Va., and it rained the whole weekend. So when race time came the creek we were trying to jump over(the promoter have no clue how to build a jump, but thats another story!) had grown immensly, and everyone was splashing like a bunch of baby ducks having a field day. I got soaked just on the parade lap! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

 

That bites dude. Hope it didn't cause you any major damage!

~HoundDog

 

Nah its all good man. Once it started farting and poping on me I just pulled off. A twenty dollar entry fee isn't worth several hundred for a topend rebuild. Although like I said I won't be having the pouch in the bottom anymore. Nor do I have any intentions of removing the box lid. I removed the snorkel and trimmed out the tab in the center. Thats as far as the box mods will go. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Hound dog I see dunes in the background of your pic. We hope to make it out to some next yr. I understand theres some in Oklahoma? Little Siehara I think?