Ducati Monster Forum

I know, cut some holes in it dummy.  I'm only starting a thread on this because I remember a thread on TOB where someone specified cutting different size holes in the lid, rather than all the same size.  Does it really matter?  Does having different size holes make it flow better or is it just for looks?

What do you do with the foam battery/air box shroud?  I'm thinking I'd like to keep it around the battery, but lose it around the box.  Any suggestions?

I cut 2 holes about 1.5" square on the back side of the airbox lid. I got rid of the pad under the tank. No real purpose other than sound deadening, and what would you want that for? ;D

Square peg, round hole?  Or is that square hole, round peg?  hehe

"I'm not an OxMoron!"   [cheeky]

Back on topic, I'm thinking of doing this mod as well, but from what I've been told, just cut the whole top off... *shrugs*  What do I know, I don't even work here.... heh

Holes in your air box lid or absence of the lid entirely is not worth the minimal possible increase in performance in my opinion unless your bike is 900cc or larger.  That being said what really matters is that you get your fuel/air mixture adjusted accordingly.  Opening/cutting your lid without adjusting your fuel/air is not gonna do anything for your bike.  Also keep in mind that all this additional noise can contribute to hearing loss, which is gradual.    Many folks wear ear plugs when riding.  Good luck.   

I don't imagine that addtional intake noise will be louder than exhaust or wind noise from riding at speed...

Holes can be any shape. I never said they were round...

I hear heart-shaped holes are best for horsepower...

That's kind of what I was thinking.  Do you have a stencil for my Dremel?  [laugh]

Perhaps the old shape from the Ferrari hoods?

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/437607067_f60b516f0a.jpg)

Although since they're just going through plastic I don't see any advantage to the shape except looking cool (if its done right.)

...except it is.

That's pretty much what I figured.  I just remember reading that old thread and thinking  ??? so I wanted to get some clarification.  


I'm not expecting any real performance gain from some holes in the air box.  But I figure it will go well with my new exhaust and K&N.  And, cutting some holes is free, so why not?  Jetting and synching the carbs is also on the list.  I already wear ear plugs when I ride, especially on the freeway because my helmet is so freakin noisy.  Like Teddy said, I can't imagine that intake noise will be louder than what I'm already dealing with.?

[posted as I was typing]
Seriously?  Can you hear the intake over wind noise at highway speed?

Yup.  You can even feel it!   I first cut two large holes in the back of mine (~1.5-inch), because I had the stock paper element and did not want it to get wet.  That was very loud.  When I got the DP ECU I cut-off the entire lid, and switched to a BMC filter element.  Its not as loud with the entire lid cut-off.  I think that cutting holes can make it louder than a completely open lid because of the resonance of the box.

I took my snout things off and rode around for a few miles and the noise was loud enough to be annoying, especially when you crack open the throttle quite a bit and get the fabled intake honk. I was quite loud to me considering I got half mod cans and a noisy helmet.

Yep ;D

Perhaps. 

Also the location plays a key factor.  The thing is right under your ears as opposed to the exhausts which emit sound away from your ears (for the most part). 

I suppose that's possible. I chopped mine completely, and it didn't appear to be significantly louder up front...  ???


there's no love in a stencil. it's all freehand  ;D

+1...With the gas wide open the "Oink" (accurate depiction??  ;) )  from the velocity stacks w/an open (or even swiss cheesed i bet) airbox definitely overtakes the exhaust in the dB department..  [evil]

those are called NACA ducts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NACA_duct).

Has everyone met derbypedia?   ;D 

I decided to try a couple small holes to see if I really hated it or not.  I didn't expect any performance change, and minimal sound difference, but had a little of both.  The inside of  my tail pipe was black before, so if the little holes leaned it out any it was for the better.  I did about 100 miles today and I noticed immediate improvement from the time I pulled out of the driveway.  Not dramatic changes, but it definately registered on the seat of the pants-o-meter.  It was smoother off the line and had a little more kick in 5th gear roll ons.  Not massive, but I really think it was better.  

As for the noise, it was strange.  Sometimes I didn't notice any difference, but other times I did.  It was louder under moderate to heavy throttle, but I didn't think it was at all obnoxious.  I guess I'm one of those who likes the snort.  Tomorrow, bigger holes. After that, maybe cut the whole top off.  [moto]

The bigger the hole the louder the noise [laugh]

can you tell me where exactly did you cut the hole? Is it at the back of the top lid or front?

I did mine right up front
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/2507257000_6e37cdec64_m.jpg)

What I did right; I made the holes bigger.  What I did wrong, I did it with a Dremel.  I should have went and got a drill attachment and cut it out more cleanly.  This is OK since it's out of sight, but I didn't get them very even.  I might still go get an attachment, but I also might just cut off the whole top.

If you decide to cut the top off, do yourself a favor and buy a coping saw.  It makes for a quick and easy job and the cut is nice and clean.

Fixed

Doh!  Thanks man

I have a jig saw that I was planing on using.  I figured that would be better after the Dremel turned out to be more difficult than expected.

How's the sound? is it tolerable or you need plugs everytime you ride.

I haven't ridden with the bigger holes yet.  I wear plugs everytime I remember to put them in anyway so I wasn't too worried about that.  One of the other posters said that his bike is quieter with an open box than it was this way, so if this is really obnoxious, the rest of the lid will come off.

Holy crap.  This mod is LOUD.  Not so much if you're cruising, but under acceleration, wow.  It's loud.  My new exhaust is every bit as loud a cored pipes and the box can drown it out completely.  It seems to be loudest at mid-RPM acceleration at over 50 mph. If you're easy on the throttle, it's not a big deal.  If you're cruising, it's not a big deal.  But if you're going to be in and out of the throttle at speed, it's no joke loud.

I couldn't believe a couple holes in the box could be this loud and I was wrong.  I don't hate it. I still think it sounds good.   But if you are trying to play nice in residential areas or the like, think twice.  I'm going to give it some more time before I decide to cut the rest of the lid off but it's a possiblity.

A LOT LOUDER!!!

but its pretty honkin' good.... but wear the earplugs... rooll them... push them in... in more... i see a lot of people with them just 'kinda-sorta' stuck in the ear... they have to go IN!

what??? can't hear you! [moto]

how is it possible that I'm the only person who has never noticed a significant increase in intake noise?


I must be deaf already...  [laugh]