[NMKawierider]

I would be interested in seeing..or hearing what a vacuum gauge would read with that mod at higher RPMs. If it doesn't really change it from my baseline then it's probably cool. But remember increased vacuum on the air box also means increased vacuum on the crankcase through the vent...and that means more will be getting by the rings which moves oil away from them...and an increased chance for the main seals to pull in enough to damage the seal surfaces and start leaks...not to mention more oil being pulled into the box through the crankcase vent tube.

I think my only real point was that they didn't leave the factory with your mods..that they were done after.

[glenlivet]

Based on the imgur photos I'd have to hand it to that dealership for their recognizing that the stock motor air intake location for the Z force is so awful, and to have devised a better route to get the motor air from a better place.

I have found that the air grill, so helpfully equipped with a warning sticker not to block, passes no air into the motor at all. None. I took the grill off after a dusty ride and revved the motor in neutral. Just from the normal shaking of the motor, dust that had been laying on it rose up and actually issued in a small cloud from the grill hole! No air went in.
How much dusty air is roiling around in the motor/back tire compartment when the vehicle is underway? To have located the motor air intake in the hottest and dustiest place on the machine borders on the criminally irresponsible.

What engineer would design such a thing? Even the sock that is dragged over the intake end doesn't fit, the bolt that secures the end of the plenum to a support bracket causes there to be a tented gap where unfiltered air passes straight on by the sock.

I have a theory that the intake was intended to actually be connected to the grill in some positive and air tight manner and that there was some big and late discovered mistake in parts manufacture that made the designed plumbing impossible and that for necessary corrections to be made the product release date could not be kept. I think it likely that someone made the 2" hole on the wrong side of the plenum. No other reason they would plumb the intake tract all the way up to the grill, and then stop right at the last connection and instead, suck air from above the back tires.

They would have needed an emergency solution immediately. That solution was to eliminate the last plenum to grill connector and just drag a sock over the plenum and damned if it doesn't really fit and leaves a gap, get them out there and meet the deadline.

Kudos to that shop. Their hearts and minds are in the right place.

[NMKawierider]

Agreed. At least they tried to address the problem...unlike CFM has in over..what - over 4-years now and have not done anything different..

[glenlivet]

I think that for CF Moto to make the intakes properly now, would make it obvious that earlier ones were dealt a hasty and poor jury rig, and the expense and embarrassment to retrofit all the existing Z's makes it more attractive to just stick with the present program and deny any problem. More's the pity really, but  imagine the clamor from  Z owners who have had top end failures if the maker virtually admitted a design flaw, a deliberate one at that, in their intake tract and filtration! I'll bet there's a corporate policy to keep quiet on the matter and deny, deny, deny.

BTW, will that shop make and sell the modification as a kit?

[Karmis]

It sounds like a lot of people are doing a lot of work to make a snorkel. I had no interest in modifying the stock air intake for a snorkel.
What I chose to do was open the airbox under the rear deck, behind the passenger seat, and I removed the factory airfilter.
I then built a snorkel from the air intake, up through the bed deck and up above the roof. I then put an K&N filter at the top. I kept the filter just below and just inside the roof as to protect it from trees and such. I used 1 1/2 inch PVC. I saw no reason to modify and poorly designed intake system when it was much easier just to replace it entirely.
Very simple design, only cost me about $20.00 plus the filter. Best of all, nothing has been modified that cant be returned to original factory design of needed.

[cr2crf]

It sounds like a lot of people are doing a lot of work to make a snorkel. I had no interest in modifying the stock air intake for a snorkel.
What I chose to do was open the airbox under the rear deck, behind the passenger seat, and I removed the factory airfilter.
I then built a snorkel from the air intake, up through the bed deck and up above the roof. I then put an K&N filter at the top. I kept the filter just below and just inside the roof as to protect it from trees and such. I used 1 1/2 inch PVC. I saw no reason to modify and poorly designed intake system when it was much easier just to replace it entirely.
Very simple design, only cost me about $20.00 plus the filter. Best of all, nothing has been modified that cant be returned to original factory design of needed.

I know a lot of people would like to see pics of your solution.  I know I would.

[Karmis]

I know a lot of people would like to see pics of your solution.  I know I would.

Here are a few pictures I took during the fab phase. It looks very rough here but you can get the idea..
https://pix.sfly.com/AGMf2r


https://pix.sfly.com/xVvTOY

[cr2crf]

I know a lot of people would like to see pics of your solution.  I know I would.

Here are a few pictures I took during the fab phase. It looks very rough here but you can get the idea..
https://pix.sfly.com/AGMf2r


https://pix.sfly.com/xVvTOY

Thanks, I appreciate the pics.  Told me exactly what I needed to know.

[EZ Rider]

KARMIS,

Can you tell me how you made the lower connection for your snorkel?

[Karmis]

KARMIS,

Can you tell me how you made the lower connection for your snorkel?

Didn't make anything.
Take off the old filter, take off the black plastic adapter ring and a 1 1/2 in PVC elbow slides right in. Slides in a good inch. Just tighten the hose clamp.

If I can figure out how to post pictures directly, Ill take some pictures of the finished product.
I keep getting an error message....

[NMKawierider]

KARMIS,

Can you tell me how you made the lower connection for your snorkel?

Didn't make anything.
Take off the old filter, take off the black plastic adapter ring and a 1 1/2 in PVC elbow slides right in. Slides in a good inch. Just tighten the hose clamp.

If I can figure out how to post pictures directly, Ill take some pictures of the finished product.
I keep getting an error message....

Don't bother trying. The account limits are reached on the server and Jason, the owner is about to move the forum to a new platform where we won't have those issues anymore. In the meantime use Imgur and post the links here.

[Karmis]

Ok here are a few pictures of the finished product. Im sure ill be making changes over time, but we'll see. In the photos, there is a connection about half way up. Thats is so I can remove the snorkel top section if needed without removing the bottom.
I also need to find a better way to secure it to the roll bar.

[cr2crf]

I like the thinking process.  How would it be to remove the entire air box and go directly to the carb?  I'm wondering how safe is the air box and all the dangling parts?

[NMKawierider]

Two bolts and the airbox is off. Just pop the rubber adapter out of the box...

[Karmis]

Two bolts and the airbox is off. Just pop the rubber adapter out of the box...

The main reason I haven't removed the box is, I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I want to go on an extended ride to make sure everything works right. If not, I want to easily be able to go back to the factory set up. Once I'm sure it is working well with no problems, I will be taking the box off.