Air box/Snorkel

[cwc9sx]

So I have been doing a lot of reading... There is definitely a ton of info out there on air box mods and snorkel removal. I hope its not just me, Im still unclear on something.

First off I have a 2009 xb9sx (calif. vin) and have completed the breather re-route mod. On my next oil/primary day Im also going to install the K&N air filter. I noticed most talk hand in hand with snorkel and air box mod'ing. My main question is - is there any benefit to removing only the snorkel and leaving my air box alone? I just had my bike dyno'd and the guy is familiar with buell's and said that the snorkel is just for environmental and noise stuff. I don't want to take it off and hurt or lose anything on my buell. Essentially I want it to be a mod and not a waste of time or worse ruin something.

Thanks All

 

[squidbuellie]

There is not a snorkel on your bike....that was only 03-05.....
I think your talking about the charcoal canister... On the left side on top of the primary. Shit can it, and cap it at the throttle body.

 

[cwc9sx]

Ok, that answers part of my question. I noticed that my bike was different than the 03-05's on the left side of the frame. Im not sure what part your talking about though. Im asking about the rubber sleeve around the air intake valve underneath the air filter... I thought that was a snorkel. I took everything apart again and looked yesterday and Im pretty sure it needs to be there. Looks like Im talking about the ram air system.?

Thanks, if you have any other input Im interested.

 

[sparky300]

You're talking about the velocity stack/intake boot and yes, it needs to be there. There were some people that pulled them off thinking it would increase hp. The reality is that it hurts performance

 

[cwc9sx]

Thanks sparky... that's exactly what I needed to hear.

 

[50dro]

There's also some conical geometry in the OEM airbox that changes the flow into the stacks. I've heard that replacing that with a flat plate etc. in one of the open airmox kits could have a negative effect as well. Your bike, being an 09, has the holes in the airbox anyway so (correct me if I'm wrong guys) an "open airbox" would be merely a cosmetic upgrade in conjunction with the translucent plastics.

 

[cwc9sx]

Nice, it just keeps getting better. So no wonder I was confused on why all these guys are modding all that shit. 09 = easy! Is there anything that I am missing for air flow mods on my 09 then?