[NMKawierider]

Excellent research and vision, NMK. I am very interested in the follow-up.
One thing that occurs to me is that the Donaldson filters are without a doubt made to be used on agricultural engines of much greater displacement than our little Rotax-ettes and I wonder if the lesser volume and velocity of our smaller intake streams would impair their function? The S&B of course being motorized ought to be unaffected by air volume/velocity.

My thoughts as well. After considering the volume of both the CVT and the engine, at about 3500RPM the CVT uses about 120CFM and the engine 49.4 CFM for a total of 169.44 CFM, through one access point...and as I need it more on the dusty roads at those speeds, I settled on one of the smaller low maintenance pre-cleaners that uses about 170cfm. At lower RPMs it won't do as well but then...I won't need it as much either. I am setting-up for the 400-dollar S&B with the 3.5" but just not ready to drop that last chunk of change..just yet...

[NMKawierider]

One of the stopping points for me was that I was hell-bent of feeding both the engine and CVT through one particle separator and I didn't want to waste all the previous work...and money I spend on this thing. This meant I needed a sweeping "Tee" that had the 3.5" I needed for the separator and the 3" I needed for the two stacks. The only one I found out there was on ebay through VRP Speed and that wanted 93 bucks plus shipping. I tried working with them to no avail. This was their fitting.



So I thought I would try and make my own using two silicone 3.5x3" 90s, a silicone bonding kit and some silicone self fusing tape. I think I will claim success and the total cost being under 35 bucks doesn't hurt at all.

[NMKawierider]

Moving forward now that most of the parts have arrived, about there short of making some clamps pretty with some back heat shrink, painting the 3" aluminum tube black and one upper mount. Almost there. Still have a full view out the rear window, still easy access to the inline filters and now its back in the "less" dust zone.  Just need something to cap it off with. Someday it will be the S&B but for now we'll try the Donaldson...or let one of the old heads just peek over the roof line like the S&B will.





Of course if I just wanted to scoop-up some "less dusty" air and get a little ram air effect, I could always slap one of the old 3" caps on top...lol

[NMKawierider]

Well, looks like my vender can't complete the order on the Donaldson full-view so...its either the Top Spin or the S&B. Think I'll still try the Top-Spin first.
Should look something like this when on.

[glenlivet]

Damn you do good work

[NMKawierider]

Damn you do good work

Lol..thanks but it's starting to remind me of one of the old three stooges clips when they did that plumbers nightmare cage. I just hate to scrap all I've done so far I guess.

This one:

With any luck the S&B should look something like this up there when done:

[NMKawierider]

Ok Pipe is matte black like the cage to blend in and clamps are done in black heat shrink to help hide them a little. Just need the Donaldson.

[NMKawierider]

One of the "Plus's" with this setup is that I haven't lost any rear-view.

[NMKawierider]

OK, the Donaldson is on. Its good for 150-275 CFM so there shouldn't be any problems. This will stay until I can pop for the S&B..however it it does what it's supposed to..I may not worry about it for a while.







And just peaks over the top

[NMKawierider]

Was even able to re-mount my "Unused" backup/cargo light. It and my front light bar have never been used. Both for looks only I guess.

[NMKawierider]

Finally got to test the Donaldson a little on the last trip. Did this "UN-sientific" review on the findings. Not bad! If this think keeps working like this it will be a while before that S&B sits atop all that plumbing...lol.

UPDATE: On 5/27/21 we went for one of the dustiest rides I have ever and although I was able to make the entire day without cleaning the filter there was several times near the end where I needed the booster fan. However, to the Donaldson's credit, I did make it where otherwise there would have been no way. I am however going to down-grade the amount it removes in this application ...to somewhere between 55-65% instead of 80+ %. This may be because of the slower speeds which slows airflow which the unit needs a certain volume to separate and remove the dust. Still...better then nothing....and the first engine air filter still doesn't need cleaning..but I'll probably do it anyway

UPDATE 6/4/21: Out of curiosity I wanted to know at what RPM does the spinner in this unit start to rotate. Although all it does is help move dust out the discharge port it does help guide the vortexed air. I slipped one of my bore scopes just slightly in enough to view the spinner's paddle and cranked it up, put it in neutral so the CVT would spin, flipped the pod to read RPMs and up we went. To my surprise it didn't start spinning until 5700 RPM. Hell I never run it that high so it has never spun. I then flipped-on my CVT booster fan to see what effect it would have. It then started spinning at 3500 RPM. Big improvement. I wonder how much better this Donaldson would work if the spinner worked all the time. I could mount a 3.5" fan just under it and blow all the time...but that means moving more air through the CVT then it needs...which also means moving that extra dust through to the filter...shortening the time between cleanings again...defeating the reason to have the prefilter in the first place. So. Either it stays as is for now or...the S&B is in the very near future.    

[TrailNewb]

 Being new to the forum and reading through 9 pages, I must say, what a journey!  You sir, are a great asset to those of us who are new to this in more ways then one!

[NMKawierider]

Being new to the forum and reading through 9 pages, I must say, what a journey!  You sir, are a great asset to those of us who are new to this in more ways then one!

Thanks for the kind words. I started down this ..rather long road several years ago and it just never ended..lol. The light at the end of this intake-tunnel was going to be crowned with an S&B particle separator but being 400-bucks that had to wait..but I could finish the plumbing and stick a scoop or this 80-dollar Donaldson on top for now. It had good reviews on farm equipment so I though might as well try it for now. Looks like I might leave it alone for a while

[TrailNewb]

I only have about 10 hrs on my Z500 trail.  I did install a uni filter as suggested and just now got through boxing in the inside air pickup between the seats.  After 70+ miles running it stock (with uni) on dry dusty Arkansas gravel roads, the filter is really clean, no noticeable dirt film.  The sock on the top of the air tube reminds of a sock that goes over the air cleaner on my Harley.  It is to repel water before it can stop the filter up.  I am wondering if all the dust ingestion is self inflicted by adding windshields front and rear causing negative pressures in the cab and bed.  Leaving mine open for now so it is good cleaner air coming right in over the hood.

[Davydo]

Finally got to test the Donaldson a little on the last trip. Did this "UN-sientific" review on the findings. Not bad! If this think keeps working like this it will be a while before that S&B sits atop all that plumbing...lol.

UPDATE: On 5/27/21 we went for one of the dustiest rides I have ever and although I was able to make the entire day without cleaning the filter there was several times near the end where I needed the booster fan. However, to the Donaldson's credit, I did make it where otherwise there would have been no way. I am however going to down-grade the amount it removes in this application ...to somewhere between 55-65% instead of 80+ %. This may be because of the slower speeds which slows airflow which the unit needs a certain volume to separate and remove the dust. Still...better then nothing....and the first engine air filter still doesn't need cleaning..but I'll probably do it anyway

UPDATE 6/4/21: Out of curiosity I wanted to know at what RPM does the spinner in this unit start to rotate. Although all it does is help move dust out the discharge port it does help guide the vortexed air. I slipped one of my bore scopes just slightly in enough to view the spinner's paddle and cranked it up, put it in neutral so the CVT would spin, flipped the pod to read RPMs and up we went. To my surprise it didn't start spinning until 5700 RPM. Hell I never run it that high so it has never spun. I then flipped-on my CVT booster fan to see what effect it would have. It then started spinning at 3500 RPM. Big improvement. I wonder how much better this Donaldson would work if the spinner worked all the time. I could mount a 3.5" fan just under it and blow all the time...but that means moving more air through the CVT then it needs...which also means moving that extra dust through to the filter...shortening the time between cleanings again...defeating the reason to have the prefilter in the first place. So. Either it stays as is for now or...the S&B is in the very near future.

NMK I just watched your YouTube 2021 year in review and noticed the Topspin mounted on your intakes. It's been awhile since I've been on here so I had to check it out. As far as I know I was the first to try the Topspin and the Enginaire brand particle separators, my issue is I sold my z500 to my brother in law and he's yet to update me on his filter conditions after at least 200-300 miles. No news is good news I guess lol! Glad you are testing the set up. I paid close attention to the rpms when the separators started turning and mine was i think around 2600 rpm for the cvt and 1800 rpm for the engine intake which assured me they were functioning most of the time. Hope it works out for ya. I've since purchased a 14 RZR XP900 and am fixing it up. I'm entertaining the topspin set-up on it as well. I may return to the CFMOTO product, thinking the cforce 500 or 600, some day...