Will a pod filter work on a Hawk DLX EFI?

Zazu · 09-09-2020, 04:42 PM

Hey all,

My DLX is scheduled for delivery on Monday. I already have a box full of mods that I plan on installing before I even start the bike for the first time. I'm doing the 17/45 sprockets, a magnetic drain plug, hand guards, and and NGK plug/wire. I have been reading a lot about performance gains that carbureted Hawks have achieved with a pod style air filter and an air box delete. Has anyone done this on the fuel injected Hawk with good results? I want to give it a try but I haven't been able to find anything about whether the Delphi EFI system will be able to compensate for the change in airflow and actually realize any power gains.

Also, does anyone make a catless header yet, or is the only option to cut and weld?

Thanks!

franque · 09-09-2020, 04:55 PM

I'd just leave it alone. You'll have better fuel economy, weather protection, and longevity if you leave it in place. It'll run better with the air box in place.

Oddball Matt · 09-09-2020, 06:08 PM

Second that. I have no experience of the model at hand but in general pod filters almost always give you more grief than gains. In an efi system the only way to know for sure is to book a dyno time with someone who can get into the fuel mapping and that can get quite costly pretty quick. As said I'd leave it as is as getting any actual gains from it most likely will cost you enough to upgrade the entire bike to another.

discochris · 09-22-2020, 02:34 AM

Agree with the previous posters. Pod filters are a PITA, and if you're running in any kind of dust or wet weather, they just suck. Leave it alone.

Ozzie · 02-19-2021, 12:46 AM

Zazu, thanks for asking that question. I personally wanted to do the same to mine as part of a little 'cosmetic tinkering' more than anything... but the answers do confirm my thoughts too. Will be leaving my perfectly good filter box alone. Also, this is quite an interesting verdict on pod filters from one of my favourite car mod fellas:

Megadan · 02-19-2021, 03:39 AM

Funny thing is... I run my pod filter (not much choice with mine) in rain, show, dust, etc. I've had none of the issues mentioned.

As far as the EFI on the DLX, it's not really capable of adjusting itself for changes like that. I know some guys are working on possibly finding a way to properly tune the Delphi ECU for this bike, but who knows when that may happen.

As far as that video. It pertains to automotive related things, not motorcycles. The dynamics at work are a TAD different. Not saying pod filters work for everything, but single and twin cylinder carbureted bikes of old, or from China aren't quite in the same class as a multi-cylinder engine in a car, or the highly engineered high performance airbox of a modern sport bike. Very apples to oranges, especially when comparing it to a 1cyl. 229cc 2 valve engine design from over half a century ago. There isn't much engineering in the airbox on these bikes. Hell, the intake tubes are often collapsed.

tknj99 · 02-19-2021, 06:35 AM

Agreed, I haven't had any issues on this bike or a previous chopper I had with a spike air filter even with rain

Quinn · 02-19-2021, 08:07 AM

If you're going to be hitting the dirt at all, stick to the factory air box. And if you do go to a pod, don't buy one of the cheap five or six dollar amazon jollies. Go with a k&n or equivalent...it's good for life, you just wash it and reuse it. I have two enduros and they get used off road all the time. One has a pod on it and it is cheap Amazon junk. It's basically a beater bike. The carb gets junky pretty quick and the float sticks on occasion. But my son and I use these bikes 90% in dirt with lots of dust getting sucked right in. I am certain it is from fine grit dust getting inside. The air box keeps that crud out. Just my .02 cents.

Megadan · 02-19-2021, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinn

The air box keeps that crud out. Just my .02 cents.

Not really. It might do slightly better than an open pleated filter, but I have seen way too many Hawk airboxes with nice layers of fine dust on the inside of the box, post filter. Including my own, and it wasn't even used that heavily off road while it was in use.

China Rider 27 · 02-19-2021, 04:20 PM

The HAWK airbox has two seams, one before the filter with air caught by the filter and one after the filter where air goes straight into the intake tube. There is no gasket making an air tight seal, just a lip on one side and a valley on the other that it fits in. The Magician airbox I have seen is worse with a coarse plastic filter mesh like brillo pad probably flows 1/16 inch particles. The Hellcat wasn't impressive either. If you want to keep dirt outa of your engine take a careul look at your filter system and act accordingly.

09-09-2020, 04:42 PM	#1
Zazu Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 5	Will a pod filter work on a Hawk DLX EFI? Hey all, My DLX is scheduled for delivery on Monday. I already have a box full of mods that I plan on installing before I even start the bike for the first time. I'm doing the 17/45 sprockets, a magnetic drain plug, hand guards, and and NGK plug/wire. I have been reading a lot about performance gains that carbureted Hawks have achieved with a pod style air filter and an air box delete. Has anyone done this on the fuel injected Hawk with good results? I want to give it a try but I haven't been able to find anything about whether the Delphi EFI system will be able to compensate for the change in airflow and actually realize any power gains. Also, does anyone make a catless header yet, or is the only option to cut and weld? Thanks!
	0

09-09-2020, 06:08 PM	#3
Oddball Matt Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Vääksy, Finland Posts: 401	Second that. I have no experience of the model at hand but in general pod filters almost always give you more grief than gains. In an efi system the only way to know for sure is to book a dyno time with someone who can get into the fuel mapping and that can get quite costly pretty quick. As said I'd leave it as is as getting any actual gains from it most likely will cost you enough to upgrade the entire bike to another. __________________ 2004 Longjia Grido 50 scooter 1999 Cagiva Mito 125 Evo, Yamaha XV125 engine, Ducati SS fairings, getting turboed 1993 Yamaha GTS 1000 Ex:Bashan BS200-S7 `07 Streetfighter-quad
	0

02-19-2021, 03:39 AM	#6
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,028	Funny thing is... I run my pod filter (not much choice with mine) in rain, show, dust, etc. I've had none of the issues mentioned. As far as the EFI on the DLX, it's not really capable of adjusting itself for changes like that. I know some guys are working on possibly finding a way to properly tune the Delphi ECU for this bike, but who knows when that may happen. As far as that video. It pertains to automotive related things, not motorcycles. The dynamics at work are a TAD different. Not saying pod filters work for everything, but single and twin cylinder carbureted bikes of old, or from China aren't quite in the same class as a multi-cylinder engine in a car, or the highly engineered high performance airbox of a modern sport bike. Very apples to oranges, especially when comparing it to a 1cyl. 229cc 2 valve engine design from over half a century ago. There isn't much engineering in the airbox on these bikes. Hell, the intake tubes are often collapsed. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	2

02-19-2021, 06:35 AM	#7
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	Agreed, I haven't had any issues on this bike or a previous chopper I had with a spike air filter even with rain __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	0

09-09-2020, 04:55 PM	#2
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	I'd just leave it alone. You'll have better fuel economy, weather protection, and longevity if you leave it in place. It'll run better with the air box in place.
	1

09-22-2020, 02:34 AM	#4
discochris Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Minnesota Posts: 35	Agree with the previous posters. Pod filters are a PITA, and if you're running in any kind of dust or wet weather, they just suck. Leave it alone.
	0

02-19-2021, 12:46 AM	#5
Ozzie Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Boston MA Posts: 8	Zazu, thanks for asking that question. I personally wanted to do the same to mine as part of a little 'cosmetic tinkering' more than anything... but the answers do confirm my thoughts too. Will be leaving my perfectly good filter box alone. Also, this is quite an interesting verdict on pod filters from one of my favourite car mod fellas:
	0

02-19-2021, 08:07 AM	#8
Quinn Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 21	If you're going to be hitting the dirt at all, stick to the factory air box. And if you do go to a pod, don't buy one of the cheap five or six dollar amazon jollies. Go with a k&n or equivalent...it's good for life, you just wash it and reuse it. I have two enduros and they get used off road all the time. One has a pod on it and it is cheap Amazon junk. It's basically a beater bike. The carb gets junky pretty quick and the float sticks on occasion. But my son and I use these bikes 90% in dirt with lots of dust getting sucked right in. I am certain it is from fine grit dust getting inside. The air box keeps that crud out. Just my .02 cents.
	0

02-19-2021, 04:20 PM	#10
China Rider 27 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: PNW Posts: 982	The HAWK airbox has two seams, one before the filter with air caught by the filter and one after the filter where air goes straight into the intake tube. There is no gasket making an air tight seal, just a lip on one side and a valley on the other that it fits in. The Magician airbox I have seen is worse with a coarse plastic filter mesh like brillo pad probably flows 1/16 inch particles. The Hellcat wasn't impressive either. If you want to keep dirt outa of your engine take a careul look at your filter system and act accordingly.
	0