New SX190: Looking for Downsides of Common Performance Mods

[mwalker4]

Just purchased a '19 SX190 and while its still at the dealer awaiting spring here in Ohio I have been studying up using this forum. I have seen some pretty common modifications which improve the performance of the SX / AR 190. Assuming the Yamaha engineers made reasonable design decisions, the modifications probably have some sort of trade-off (reliability, safety, stability, top speed etc).

So I am curious what the potential trade-offs or cons are for the following modifications:
1. Ribbon / Spark Arrestor Delete
2. Lucky 13 Pump Cone
3. Thrust Vector / CJS
4. Impeller Swap
5. Cold Air Intake

 

[haknslash]

Congrats on the new boat and welcome to the forum!!

1. Technically you wouldn't be USCG compliant unless you have a flame arrestor. Some people who remove the ribbon also buy a K&N style air filter from Riva that also has a mesh spark arrestor. Personally in this day and age with modern fuel injection the chances of a backfire through your intake on a stock engine is slim to none. When I removed my ribbon I did not do a spark arrestor air filter. The engine will also sound a little different, kind of throatier and is better IMO.

2. Not sure of any drawbacks. @swatski loved it in his 190. Others have it too and I think they said it improved hole shot. Can't think of a negative having better hole shot. I can't recall if it affected their top speed.

3. Only negative I guess is you can't spin them as easy as you can without fins. Then again you kind of have to work the boat and set it up for a good spin. Otherwise CJS fins help at all speeds while TV help at slow speeds. Personally I would drive the boat stock for a little bit and decide if you want a different control and go from there.

4. @swatski has tested a few on his 190. I would not do solas simply because I've seen some scary pics of them destroying themselves. Unless you live at a high altitude I'd just stick with stock impeller.

5. I guess increased noise would be the negative with an air intake. I also don't think anyone gained power from trying to do a cold air intake. Not sure it would be worth the cost vs performance gains.

 

[mwalker4]

Thanks great info. I am going to use the boat for a summer before I make too many mods. The TV / CJS fins definitely have my interest. My previous jet boat was a 14' Sea Doo. It was a blast, but docking and loading in the wind at a busy ramp during an approaching thunderstorm was too exciting.

 

[2kwik4u]

1. Ribbon / Spark Arrestor Delete
No longer USCG Approved Vessel. You are removing the spark arrestor from the system on purpose. I deleted mine, and have no intentions of changing the air filter. The fuel fumes in the boat, as well as the chance of a backfire through the throttle are so minute, I'm OK with the risk.
2. Lucky 13 Pump Cone
You wallet will be $250 lighter. There is seriously no other drawback here, it's a solid product that works.
3. Thrust Vector / CJS
IMO, dive the boat before you buy these. People that say the boats are hard to maneauver/control/steer are inexperienced at Jet boating. The one exception to this is if you need to be able to toss the keys to anyone and have it behave like an I/O boat. Otherwise, save your money for fuel to burn while you learn how it handles and steers.
*edit* I see you still want to try these because of previous bad experiences. If you're getting a new boat with the rudder (sorry, articulating keel) then drive it a bit before you plunk down the cash on CJS or TV's. I moved straight from an I/O to a jet and haven't had a problem adjusting, so I'm biased against those products.
4. Impeller Swap
Save your money. @swatski did EXTENSIVE testing on his 190 and found the best all around impeller was the stock one. Again, run it for a year before you drop the coin, just because someone online says you "need it"........unless you're above 1.5k-2k elevation regularly, then pitching down will help.
5. Cold Air Intake
Again, save your money. Unless you are pulling cool air from outside the engine compartment it's a waste of time, effort, and money.