[sanewithinsanity]

If someone could take a second and clear this up for me it would be awesome. I have been reading the posts about the airbox mod trying to decide if its worth doing and Ive just become more confused the further I read. There are basically two opposing threads about the kleen air mod and both seem to have valid arguments, but because of my lack of knowledge I can't conclude which is correct, haha.

I am not really concerned with any power gain at the moment, the reason I started researching is because of a claim to a better MPG after the mod. I just want to know if its actually worth doing, which mod (kleen air or cutting the box) has better results, and any potential dangers or damages it could create. The bike is stock at the moment, but I do plan on putting a full exhaust system and power commander but those are a bit later down the road.

So...I guess it boils down to is there any safe way to increase the mpg, with power gains being a welcome bonus. Thanks in advance!

PS here are the referenced threads:

FOR - How to: 2010 Z1000 Kleen-Air : KawiForums.com Kawasaki Forums: Kawasaki motorcycle forums

AGAINST - http://www.z1000forum.com/forum/kawasaki-z1000-general-discussion/118279-airbox-mod-fraud.html

 

[BeastIncarnate]

Leave it alone unless you do a full system, that's what I get from the threads.

 

[sanewithinsanity]

Mind if I ask why? Does the full system change the amount of air needed for intake?

 

[JSharp]

Doing a full system you'll need to do a new Map. To do that right you'll need a PCV with autotune or have someone do it on a dyno. They'll need to disable the air injection system to get accurate a/f ratios.

 

[sanewithinsanity]

That makes sense, but as beast said is that the only time its worth doing? I will def have it done when I do the full system w/ tune, but in the mean time are there reasons not to, besides lack of knowledge?

 

[JSharp]

On an otherwise stock engine, unless you have issues like backfiring there's no reason to disable the air injection and good reasons not to. Disabling it won't give you any HP or any better mileage.

If you do decide to eliminate it do it the right way and buy a set block off plates.

 

[sanewithinsanity]

ok, perfect. Thats what I was looking for. People are so ambiguous when it comes down to the actual outcome of the mod on those other threads. Thank you.

 

[notabiker]

never herd of fuel millage getting better from MODS. most mods gain power but hurt millage. my 04 was getting almost 50 mpg before i installed a full MUZZY exhaust. now i get 40-42 mpg.

 

[sanewithinsanity]

I went searching for the post where I read it, took me a second but...

thread http://www.z1000forum.com/forum/z1000-performance/117626-k-n-air-filter.html

"Same here !! Did the mod and the filter....Better air flow and picked up fuel mileage by about 20% Was easy to install...just lift the tank and support it pull 2 screws and the top comes off the airbox....the airbox mod is pretty simple if you are at all mechanically inclined"

Looking now the poster has a 2007 Z1000 and Ill realize that it could be the case for his year model, but even so is that realistic or is he full of it?

 

[JSharp]

20% better mileage just by adding a K&N? He needs a new calculator.

 

[notabiker]

that stock air filter would have to be so restrictive to gain 20% fuel millage that it would never pass smog testing. i like K&N air filters , some claim their is NO air flow increase with a K&N over a clean stock paper filter. i do not know ?. most of the HP gain from the air box lid mod comes from opening up the restrictive air inlet not the filter.

 

[kawtoy_77]

that stock air filter would have to be so restrictive to gain 20% fuel millage that it would never pass smog testing. i like K&N air filters , some claim their is NO air flow increase with a K&N over a clean stock paper filter. i do not know ?. most of the HP gain from the air box lid mod comes from opening up the restrictive air inlet not the filter.

K&N had a contraption setup at the international motorcycle show when I went that had a constant airflow to it, and you could change the filter selection from stock to the K&N. I noticed quite a difference in the airflow with the less restrictive filter [K&N]. So that is where my money is as well.:2cents:

 

[zephyrboy738]

It makes scenes to me to cut the top of the air box lid or buy the dna one and to block off the cool air injection on the head. But it don't make scenes to me to block off the crank case breather? That is how your motor lets out pressure.it would seem that if you were to connect the crank breather to the cool air injection there would be no way for the motor to release the pressure. Their for I think that the motor would start blowing oil out of all the gaskets

 

[sanewithinsanity]

If the air inlet is so restricted stock and you do the mod to relieve it, how exactly will that effect the mixture ratio? I'm not engine savvy but Im trying to learn, and Im trying to figure out that if you allow more air will the mixture compensate with more fuel or is there a "cap" of percentages and the amount of fuel decreases. Its probably a stupid question but bare with me, it seems going to school for mechanical engineering makes overthing everything else, haha.

 

[sanewithinsanity]

I guess the answer is obvious when you consider the end result of the power gain.

 

[Dragroc]

Ivan's performance tips for Z1000

This is the thread that basically started the "Airbox mod fraud" thread on this forum...dont really care to start anymore arguing because the majority of your answers will be answered in that thread or links that I have provided in one of the posts in that thread.

 

[Barry]

Hey buddy if i were you ride cherish and love the bike judt the way it is.Its set up beautfully from the factory for all paramaters.Then read some mags think if you really need more power,severly decreaseing milage.Think first?Is your bike slow i dont think so,id work on geting my suspension setup first and that takes time,time well spent.Then go for tye power the ride time gettin your suspension right will be your biggest payoff and its free other than gas....so chill and enjoy...dial her in!

 

[sanewithinsanity]

Hey buddy if i were you ride cherish and love the bike judt the way it is.Its set up beautfully from the factory for all paramaters.Then read some mags think if you really need more power,severly decreaseing milage.Think first?Is your bike slow i dont think so,id work on geting my suspension setup first and that takes time,time well spent.Then go for tye power the ride time gettin your suspension right will be your biggest payoff and its free other than gas....so chill and enjoy...dial her in!

For the reason of the love of my ride I ask these questions. Otherwise I would be asking what went wrong after I started chopping up stuff. I don't think the bike is slow, I am more than happy with the power, I just commute every day on her and thought there was a potential for mpg improvement.

I'm actually going back to the dealer Tuesday to get the suspension dialed in. I wished they would have put a better rear spring on the bike. Only preload adjustment is a bit weak and I dont have a spanner wrench, heh.

Im constantly looking through threads trying to increase my knowledge, I think just in this case I was flooded with facts and opinions and couldn't get a clear view of the process and results. I appreciate all the responses, and look forward to inciting more debates.

BTW anyone here in the Houston area? Its been a while since Ive been on some back roads and I would love to have someone near by I can bounce ideas off of and and advice.

 

[notabiker]

their is a post on rider forum. com. he had a gen 1 z1000 and did the air box lid mod without a PC. on the dyno the operator said the A/F was so close a PC was not going to help. remeber a stock bike is slightly rich on full throttle to protect the engine. most power gaines with a pc come from leaning out the mixture on wide open throttle not going richer. down low the bikes are lean and a pc helps smooth out the A/F ratio for better rideablity. if i did the air box mod and exhaust i would have a dyno run with a A/F ratio test before i install a pc. you never know