Ok, so I've have my '02 for about 3 months. That's 3 months too long without changing it. I always hear about an "airbox mod" but never get any specifics. Are you just drilling holes, or what? If you do, are oyu pulling the snorkle off? What about removing the lid altogether?

Is there any benefit from doing this before doing an exhaust system?

Thanks!


--Phillip

 

Many people drill some holes, remove the snorkel, remove the lid, and even remove the whole aribox and get a clamp on filter. But I wont be doing any of the above because I ride in very dusty and muddy areas.

 

Yeah, you see, I also live in a rather dusty area, so where does everyone ride? The Track, or grassy areas I guess.

Here it's all dirt.

So I went home, and removed the lid then rode up and down the street and the only differance was the noise. I do however, feel that it might make a differance if I had an upgraded exhaust, and jetting to match.

Thanks!

--Phillip

 

If you open the air box you will run lean. I have WB E series k&n outerwear no air box lid I run a #165 main jet. If I leave my air box lid on it sputters and does not run starving for air. if you are stock leave until you make some mods. The gains you would see if any not worth it

 

DesertEX-You really live in Death Valley (Junction?)?? Where do you ride? Seems like you would really be getting crouded out by the park and all the new wilderness areas???

My 400 is lightly moded: First, I never run without an airbox lid. My airbox would just be one big sandbox after the first mile!! I drilled 1" holes everywhere on my airbox lid that I could find room (about 18 of them I think). In the holes I installed White Bros Air Box Vents. These have a foam filter in them, and help reduce the amount of dust getting into the airbox, while still letting lots of air flow.

K&N airfilter with an Outerwears. I have 3 of them for each bike (1 in the wash and 2 oiled and always ready to go). I change them whenever the Outerwears starts to get moderately dusty.

An FMF PowerBomb header and Power Core IV-2 Exhaust.

All these mods will require a carburator rejet. The 400 is jetted lean at the factory (for emissions), and all these mods will just make it even worse!! And, a lean condition can damage your motor. If you do all the mods at one time, then you will only have to rejet once.

I also have an Edelbrock Carburator. This is an expensive mod, and is probably best done along with an increase in compression.

I would also suggest a change in tires. The stockers are thin and vulnerable for desert riding. I would recommend Holeshot XC or XCT's. Also, widening the bike isn't a bad idea. I changed to ITP Edge rims. These and the Holeshots make the bike about +4 wider in the rear. I am currently experimenting with Sand-Sport wheel spacers, which widen the bike +4 front and rear without having to change the axel or a-arms. Oh, and a IMS desert tank and DG full Baja skid plates aren't a bad idea either.

Keep in touch! It is nice to hear from other desert riders. A lot of people in the forum are Eastern trail riders or they think a big bore 4X4 mudder is the ultimate machine, so their input isn't real helpfull. There are precious few in the forum who understand what makes a good desert bike!!!

 

Hell, it's awesome to see anyone that even knows that dirt can dry out. As for where I live, I live south of Death Valley, but I figured that all of these easterners wouldn't know Ridgecrest.

I ordered a Twist throttle for the EX a couple days ago, and I'll probably get Renthal bars when the other comes in. Then I was looking a the DG exhaust system, with the K&N Power kit at the same time, since it comes with the filter, and jets.

As for the Holes you drilled in the lid, I just saw those filters at lunch in the catalog down at the Honda Shop.

 

I forgot, where can I find the IMS Deswert Tank??? I checked the Honda Shop, and they are clueless, but I knew there had to be something out there! How big is the tank?

 

Hey, I was in Ridgecrest Saturday night. I was on my way back from Bishop (see my rider reviews in the "where to ride" section), and stopped at Spangler Hills. The place looked totally deserted, then I came over the hill at Wagon Wheel and there was a sea of trailers. There was a race going on!! I was going to spend the night, then ride the next morning, but it was just way to crowded. So, I just headed on home.

I think I got my oversize tank direct form IMS, but White Bros carries them too. It holds 4.3 gal. You can ride all week on a tank full. It does make the bike a bit front heavy though, so if you are going to do serious jumping, don't do it on a full tank. I'm pretty sure IMS has a web site, so just search them in Hotbot or something. I think they are in Riverside or Moreno Valley. If you ever get one, be sure you clean the tank well before installing!! It will be full of plastic shavings that will clog your fuel line.

 

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

Small world, Eh?

Shoot me an email next time you plan on heading this way, I always keep a spare room set up for my 4x'n buddies when they pass through town. Also, we aught to go ride some time, since I'm the only one in the group with a quad, I tend to go out alone (Bad Idea I Know).

 

I have way too many toys but I have a cummins pullin' em!
2 waveblaster
1 standup
1 400ex
2 lt250r's
99 mxzx race sled