'05 450 air box punch outs

[tony1970]

OK guys, I am going to do the free air box mod of removing the snorkel but I am debating cutting out the punch outs on the right side of the box as shown in Dirt Rider a few months ago. I really do not want to add the screening to the side because it seems the box has the cover plate and that may be enough protection from mud splash. Also it seems that if I end up in deep water it will increase the probability of flooding the bike with the large holes on the side. So, if anyone can tell me if this mod is worth doing, what you did, and if there have been positive or negative effects from doing it. Thanks a bunch.

[Johnny34]

I did the cut-out mod because I was bored and thought it might be cool. I'm not sure just how much it helps since I've done all the other freebies. I saw the article you are talking about but couldn't find the brass screen material at the hardware store. Instead, I used some mesh filter material (the kind that goes in a floor or wall vent in your house), cut it to shape, drilled some mount holes, and installed it with plastic push-in tabs from the hardware store. Since I already had the filters, I spent less that a buck on the push tabs.

As far as submerging your bike and pulling water into the airbox, you live in Kaleefornya, the land of sandy washes and dry lake beds. I don't think it would be a problem.

My bike gets wet all the time and I'm not too worried about it.

[tony1970]

Thanks for the info. And dont worry we in the Republic of Kalifornia are invading Oregon slowly

[dman450f]

Nooooooo!stay in commyforica....just kiddin.....

[450 Hurricane]

I would like to see the air flow numbers before and after the drilling because I suspect the numbers would change very little, if any.

[Matty05]

Cut them out. that is why they are moulded like that.

In Australia, we get a Yamaha factory info pack that tells you what to do and this is one of those things. Don't worry about water as sideplates go over the airbox anyway.

You can really feel the performance difference by doing this mod, you can go a step further by pulling the screen off the filter cage.

[RC81]

I also cut mine out. I really dont see myself going thru water that deep and the side cover is close enough to the panel to keep out most things.

[Joe Reitman]

I wondered about the flow difference myself. The snorkel alone suits me fine.

[extex]

You can buy some 1" plastic plugs with foam filters from the TT store. I put them on both my 125 and 450, rather than leaving the cutout holes open. I can't speak to any difference it made because I was doing some other stuff at the time but I would guess a little more air comes in.

[rushfan]

I did mine and I'm not sure if there is any diff. Theoretically it should help, right? But, you can buy the screened plugs from http://www.motosport.com/ Good luck.

[BNutZ]

I cut mine out and IMO, there was enough difference to justify doing it. I've done a few small/medium water crossings and bomb thru plenty of puddles... never had a problem!

Let the bike breath, it won't hurt it!

R/Brandon

[elton]

....You can really feel the performance difference by doing this mod, you can go a step further by pulling the screen off the filter cage.

I was reading about jetting my daughter's TTR125LE and noticed that it was recommended that all TTR's remove the cage's screen.

I've heard about removing the snorkel, which I did; heard about some cutting the box -- but this "cage-screen" removal is interesting. Is it worth it; any downside, ie: did Yam put the screen there for protection or for de-tuning?

Elton

[Matty05]

I was reading about jetting my daughter's TTR125LE and noticed that it was recommended that all TTR's remove the cage's screen.

I've heard about removing the snorkel, which I did; heard about some cutting the box -- but this "cage-screen" removal is interesting. Is it worth it; any downside, ie: did Yam put the screen there for protection or for de-tuning?

Elton

The screen is there to stop a backfire blowing your filter off or igniting it.

It is like a spark arrester for your air filter.

Just think how much more airflow you can get by taking the screen out. Less

restriction means more power.

I noticed a big difference in midrange to top end where this would have the

most effect.

I have never seen a bike burn down from doing this, only heard urban myths.

You can buy a twin air kit with a fire retardant airfilter ans screenless cage

but it is expensive.

[elton]

The screen is there to stop a backfire blowing your filter off or igniting it. It is like a spark arrester for your air filter.

My KTM 2-strokes don't have this screen; haven't "ignited" them yet -- sounds like this will be on my mod list, unless someone here tells me that a WR will likely blow without it, thanks

Elton

[Joe Reitman]

Nor have any of my prior bikes- a dozen plus- ever had such a screen.

[RC81]

2 strokes dont have them, only a 4 stroke thing. A two stroke has a reed cage that would stop anything from getting to the filter.