Swiss Cheese Air Box

[Sgt_H]

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?

[NAKID]

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?

[marvellous]

I cut 2 holes about 1.5" square on the back side of the airbox lid.

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

"I'm not an OxMoron!"   

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

[uclabiker06]

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.   

[teddy037.2]

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

[NAKID]

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

"I'm not an OxMoron!"   

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

[teddy037.2]

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

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

[Sgt_H]

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? 

[Buckethead]

Perhaps the old shape from the Ferrari hoods?



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

[ducpainter]

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

...except it is.

[Sgt_H]

Perhaps the old shape from the Ferrari hoods?


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

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

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'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]

...except it is.

Seriously?  Can you hear the intake over wind noise at highway speed?

[Ivan]

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.

[MotoPsycho]

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.

[Howie]

<snip>
Seriously?  Can you hear the intake over wind noise at highway speed?

Yep

[uclabiker06]

I think that cutting holes can make it louder than a completely open lid because of the resonance of the box

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).