Project 2004 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO Straight Pipe and Air Intake Install + Top Speed - Hobby Mechanic

Prepping my new to me 2004 FX Cruiser HO for its first run of the season. In this video I upgrade the air intake to the River Racing air intake which removes the old intake and filter and replaces it with a Riva/K&N stand alone filter. After that I upgrade the exhaust with the Riva straight pipe exhaust which replaces the exhaust baffle and replaces it with Riva's straight pipe.
I'm not expecting any top speed increases with these upgrades but should allow me to get a good baseline top speed for future upgrades comparisons.
I'll be upgrading the intake grate, wear ring and impeller in the very near future with more top speed runs so stay tuned!
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[@Rondawwg]

Lovely flat Lake! Sounds well and goes well.

[@nard3890]

sweet FX, that lake looks awesome to ride

[@thehobbymechanic47]

It’s actually salt water believe it or not. It’s the southern most tip of the puget sound in Washington state. Water gets nice and calm by the time it gets to this point.

[@topnotchsales4u]

Looking forward to your impeller upgrade! Great video.

[@thehobbymechanic47]

Thanks! I’m still waiting for the impeller and intake grate to show up so might be another week or 2 before I receive them. I haven’t received any update from Riva…

[@BubbaC85]

What impeller and grate you go with?

[@thehobbymechanic47]

I went with what Riva recommended on their website. It was the SOLAS YAMAHA YG-DF-14/20 impeller and WORX YAMAHA 02-08 FX140/FX HO intake grate. I also picked up the RIVA stainless steel wear ring as well. Sounds like I’ll receive the impeller next week and no update for the intake grate. I’ll at least get the wear ring and impeller installed next week.

[@nickkrawczuk9872]

Looking forward for the next video

[@thehobbymechanic47]

Thanks! New impeller and intake grate are in the mail. I plan to get everything installed next week before the weekend. Vid to follow.

[@us-eb3info79]

Smooth ride

[@thehobbymechanic47]

Thanks!

[@subradiant_music]

nice glass. they always go quicker

[@SuperMattb17]

Great videos. Ive got a stock 2007 fxho cruiser - looks identical to yours mechanically. Im hitting 58 mph gps (loaded and heavy rider 110kgs) Going to try the free flow exhaust and filter as you have here and see the difference.

[@thehobbymechanic47]

There wasn’t much seat of your pants change with the exhaust/filter. Each little modification increases the mph though and the exhaust/filter was a pretty easy one to start with.

[@SuperMattb17]

@@thehobbymechanic47 Alright! did the grate, exhaust and airfilter - after a couple of runs looks like it has improved speed by 3kmph (to 59.65 mph) - not huge but consistent. Best thing about the exhaust upgrade is how neat it makes it inside. I carry an extra host clamp as the upgrade does now put a pipe join below the external waterline when you cut the pipe with the exhaust flange. However now I am getting a severe vibration at low speed and will low speed turns. Fine at high speed. Cant see any debris so Im thinking its worn impeller or pump bearings with the skis age. I wasnt planning on doing the impeller - but now I might have to take the plunge on that and use your video guide.

[@lifeguard434343]

I’m doing these mods on our two fxho’s. I have a quick question. Did you reinstall those plastic black divider pieces that screw in above the pump? I don’t understand what they are there for. I’m trying to figure out if I should reinstall them…

[@thehobbymechanic47]

I reinstalled them. I’m not sure what they’re there for either.

[@SconHeadVideos]

Awesome video! Is this the fx140? I have just bought the fx160 and been told that mine will go 60mph flat out. Thanks

[@thehobbymechanic47]

I believe this is the FX160 as well. Top speeds range a bit given the age of these skis. If you can get 60mph out of yours without any add ons then you're in really good shape. I'm getting 60mph now but had to upgrade the air intake, exhaust, intake grate, impeller and wear ring. If you can get 60 without those add ons then you can probably get 5mph more with them. They're great skis. Bulletproof.

[@SconHeadVideos]

@@thehobbymechanic47 Thats awesome! By air intake, do you mean you changed the air filter? thanks

[@thehobbymechanic47]

@@SconHeadVideos The riva/k&n filter install removes part of the original intake. I think I showed the changeout briefly in the beginning of the video.

[@SconHeadVideos]

@@thehobbymechanic47 Awesome! Thanks so much

[@daviddurand6583]

Did yours come with the black coupling... been trying to get ahold of riva to see if they forgot it in packaging...still waiting on a reply from them but great video!

[@thehobbymechanic47]

You create the coupling from the black rubber hose that’s already on your ski. I do this in the video.

[@YaboiSerge]

I was hitting 52 , after an impeller change barely hitting 45, any ideas why?

[@thehobbymechanic47]

That’s a substantial difference. You have the same ski with the same upgrades? Is it possible you forgot the wear ring?

[@nyinfamous2k2]

any noticeable sound differences in the straight pipe? does it sound better or the same

[@thehobbymechanic47]

That was actually my first ride ever on the Waverunner so I’m not sure of the before vs after when in the water. It sounds like a sporty motorcycle when revving on land. It’s a pretty standard loudness when idling in the water given the water muffles it. It does have a pretty cool grumble at low RPM when the pipe lifts out of the water but nothing crazy.

[@khaledalblooki1052]

It’s not a straight pipe, the waterbox is still installed

[@TheStephenspann27]

You need the bow trimmed up, not down

[@thehobbymechanic47]

I’ve tried playing with the trim and it didn’t seem to make a difference either way. I see the pump adjusting when I move the grip but no noticeable difference in speed. I just leave it in the middle.

[@eltanoadrian]

Hola..al final cuanta velocidad alcanzo?

[@thehobbymechanic47]

The 59 I hit in the video is the fasted I’ve clocked. I don’t have a GPS/speedometer so I don’t really know how fast I’m going most of the time. I’d like to round up to 60mph but haven’t seen it on a GPS yet.

[@eltanoadrian]

Buenos dias..aun le puedas sacar más....tengo una vx1100 y corre a 115 km x hora

[@daviddurand6583]

Did you have to remove the jet pump like it says in the Riva isntructions...if so how much of a pain is it?..did this upgrade to my ex and was done in 5 mins ....this one is different obviously

[@daviddurand6583]

Nvm I'm horrible at jumping the gun and asking ?s

[@thehobbymechanic47]

Ha!

[@eltanoadrian]

Quitale las restricciones de aire...y corta la caja de aguas a la mitad y vaciar la placa que lleva dentro...tendras un SONIDO MUCHO MEJOR Y GANARAS MAS CV🎉🎉🎉

[@fausto5733]

No le hace daño quitarle las restricciones?

[@timmanracing8776]

How many hours does yours have

[@thehobbymechanic47]

You know, I’m not sure. I’m de-winterizing this week and I’ll see if I have a counter somewhere.

[@johnathancrotzer5491]

so I think ours is off because it would hit 60

[@thehobbymechanic47]

I’ve had a few folks say they could already hit 60 before mods so maybe mines a bit slower. I’m 220lbs so that can make a difference as well.

[@stevenjacobs6934]

You spent money on Riva parts and your only hitting 2mp faster than an ex...something isn't right with that ski. My fxho cruiser hits 60 with no problem

[@thehobbymechanic47]

What’s your experience? I’d be interested in seeing your GPS backed numbers. Getting 60mph out of these skis is pretty good.

[@nikos2jzgte]

fx 140??

[@thehobbymechanic47]

It’s the FX HO so it’s the 160

[@nikos2jzgte]

@@thehobbymechanic47 wOw i think you must take care of your engine i have the same and stock shows on dash 59-60mph...i have now the full rpm kit but not with riva stuff and i have seen with trim up 62-63mph....the velocity stacks makes the biggest diference...

[@thehobbymechanic47]

You’ve tested w/GPS? I’d love to hit 62-63mph but not sure it’s got anything left to give. I haven’t looked into the velocity stacks yet. Might give that and/or a new water box a shot next season.

[@nikos2jzgte]

@@thehobbymechanic47 speeds is only what i'm seeing on dash....also have longer noozle ride plate and worx scoop....and a pump cone kit....AAAAlll these together to reach a 62-63 in open sea....i think on a river i will hit one more mph cause of the salty water i'm riding....