Should You Be Modifying Your PWC for Performance? The Watercraft Journal IRL

[@racerx2084]

Definitely agree with using a garmin gps. When I was in the marine electronics field the tech support was great and the smaller machines were very easy to use. Garmin stepped up thier game about 15 years ago with their bigger machines. Lowrance did step up their game also once the got bought out by Simrad.

[@watercraftjournal]

Right on!

[@racerx2084]

On my Kawi 300x, I have upgraded to the newer style oil separator. Also what I did was supposed to be a temporary thing as a diagnostic tool but I might try to make it a permanent thing but more quality. The stock oil separator as you said catches the oil and separates but then blows the hot oily air back into the airbox. I was noticing an excessive amount of oil in the airbox drain tube on short test runs. Also I was getting a good amount of oil into my IC. So to diagnose the issue to see exactly how much oil I was getting, I made up a cheap homemade racecar catch can. I took a Powerade bottle, drilled a hole on the top to thread in the brass hose barb into and then drilled a bunch of tiny vent holes around it on the cap. I attached the hose from the separator to the airbox to the barb and zip tied the bottle to the oil dipstick bracket. This was to see how much blow by I was getting bc I had suspicions of a broken or cracked piston. On a short test run the bottle was getting filled quickly. So now I have some forged pistons to install this winter. But I was also looking at some automotive style catch cans to maybe use instead of my Powerade bottle. I have one on my Silverado from speed engineering that is nice. We’ll see.

[@watercraftjournal]

Nice work.

[@tonycolca2241]

Kevin thanks for your presentations they are very informative and you care about what you are doing.

[@watercraftjournal]

I appreciate that!

[@charlestaylor3434]

Kevin I had a catch can/oil separator like the one you showed plumbed back to the intake just like stock on my Yamaha FX SVHO for nearly 90 hours. After all that time there wasn't enough oil to even cover the bottom of the can. So I removed it

[@watercraftjournal]

Because they really don’t need it.

[@AB-80X]

What you need to worry about, are the vapours. It needs it. My wife's Seadoo did not have one, and it was a mess inside after 35 hours. TWJ just don't like modifications and think he knows more than everyone.

[@flacjacket]

@@AB-80X mate, Kevin clearly and repeatedly state that they are absolutely essential on sea doos, he say yamahas don't need it because their cylinder lining is different and they don't get nearly as much blowby.

[@Corpse1984]

Yeah! Jetx is my local shop!

[@watercraftjournal]

Nice!

[@edgaremralino7512]

Kevin, is your catch can available for purchase? I've been holding on buying any one way catch can because of the same reason you explained it here. Thanks.

[@watercraftjournal]

Unfortunately no, we chose not to produce it.

[@Steven-xj2rf]

Jet Trim has awesome seat covers. I wonder if they are not returning your calls/emails because they currently are months out for a cover. I ordered mine via Riva on Black Friday and it still has not shipped.

[@watercraftjournal]

They're the BEST there is. No Steven, this has been for nearly a decade. When Gary died and Frank took over, any cooperation with WCJ went with it.

[@dadecountyriders]

JL Perfomance have great tunes and Perfomance parts

[@karmariderdl]

Hi Kevin, question starting from scratch. What would be your recommendation for a long range "enduro" pwc.

[@watercraftjournal]

Long range, long lasting machine? Yamaha FX HO hands down.

[@karmariderdl]

@@watercraftjournal Thank you.

[@SAM.EIGHTYFOUR]

Got a OCC for Christmas and that's my only upgrade for my 2021 GTR230. Probably dont plan on anything else just due to the fact it's a GTI hull and the 230 model lol

[@SAM.EIGHTYFOUR]

If any other upgrade, maybe sponsons

[@watercraftjournal]

Leave it alone and save up for a big boy ski.

[@jasonmekush5280]

Great informative show as usual.

[@watercraftjournal]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@javiermiranda5580]

For my gti170, how can I increase the power? Let's say keeping it without turbo. 900cc spark engine tan be tuned up to 120 with ecu, air filter, exhaust and propeller. help pleasee

[@watercraftjournal]

You bought a 170. Leave it the hell alone and save up your money for a big boy ski later.

[@kennyrobbins3760]

Can l modify from 180hp to 290hp on my VX cruiser HO

[@SAM.EIGHTYFOUR]

You could possibly design a better separator. By having the inlet on the side and middle section and venting out the top. Oil and gas industry use separators like this. Solids fall to bottom as gas escapes out the top.

[@watercraftjournal]

I considered that, but the top-down straining is superior just a little unsightly. -K

[@michaelgrifoni2160]

@@watercraftjournalK, any chance you can send a PN for the challenger part… I’m curious and would like to look into it.

[@jamesjosh]

I audibly chuckled when Kevin called himself out on having oictures of his ski beached

[@watercraftjournal]

Yup. Guilty.

[@simonallain]

does adding these mods make the ski more unreliable?

[@dawgfather2101]

Hahaha 😂🤣😂🤣.....I'm that guy, some what! The more money than brains guy! My wife says i got a death wish because anything i get on im wide open. But in my defense, like I put in another comment, I grew up working on stuff! I've raced dirt bikes honda CR125 and 250, go-karts (methanol)....every 4-wheeler or side by side, truck I've owned I've lifted (big foot kits) and have added performance parts on to run faster (usually Banks or EFI live back when it was legal!) My wife says I just can't leave it alone. I'm like Tim the tool man 🤣😂.....but I got to be the fastest! I want to build one of those 110+ mph turbo jet-skis, would love to ride one of those!

[@watercraftjournal]

Nice!

[@racerx2084]

Jim’s plate? He was big for the gp1200rs n 1300rs

[@watercraftjournal]

He's not dead, dude.

[@forrest2426]

I don’t understand mandatory items you have to add. If something is mandatory why doesn’t the manufacturer put it on. I don’t know much but I’m learning. Thanks

[@watercraftjournal]

"Why doesn't the manufacturer put it on" implies that they're beyond mistakes or poor judgement. Oftentimes, the aftermarket solves failings from the factory. In the instances I outlined, there are severe failings within the unit that require modification to resolve. -K

[@racerx2084]

I’m sure Kawi uses their style instead of the riva or JP design bc they can’t trust the people to check and empty the cans if they fill. Getting riders not to hit stuff, wash, put the correct fuel and winterize is already asking a lot, lol

[@watercraftjournal]

No, it's because of the EXACT reasons I detailed, RacerX. The RIVA and JP catch cans are incomplete circuits. Kawi's is a complete circuit. -K

[@aaronirwin7352]

Hi Billy…

[@watercraftjournal]

Attaboy

[@D3M0z]

That's what I run on my ski is a separator with a dipstick

[@watercraftjournal]

Great!

[@pthhelm68]

separator for oil because of blow by?

[@watercraftjournal]

Correct.

[@D3M0z]

i run an et 68-140 and it works much better than just a catch can I've tried both running around 15 to 16 lbs of boost and I paid 40 bucks for the separator I refuse to pay some of these outrageous prices

[@michaelgrifoni2160]

@@D3M0zcan you send link to separator you had success with? Would like to look into this. Thanks

[@rickss69]

Nearly every instance I have seen with jet skis sinking or taking on water has been the result of added "performance" mods...just sayin.

[@goodeye5226]

Billy

[@watercraftjournal]

BILLY!!!

[@henrytischbein155]

I want to learn how to wrench on skis Hense why I want to get a square nose or a 550 or 650sx etc that doesn’t for that reason that way if I accidentally break something who cares

[@watercraftjournal]

Good place to start

[@dawgfather2101]

I like Riva products.....I only use Riva products

[@watercraftjournal]

Cool!