SX/SXi/SXi Pro hood mods

[sxipro02]

Can anyone elaborate on hood mods for a sxi pro? I would like to reduce the amount of water taken in during subs and other tricks when the ski goes under water. I have a dual bilge setup now and my hood seal is in good shape. I have heard people talk about modding the hood and just courious as to what can be done.

 

[PLD]

I glassed in the front air intakes completely and opened up the rear of the hood on both sides and added a second hose so all the air comes in from the rear.

I also cut the whole front hood liner out but that was more for weight reduction.

 

[sxipro02]

cool, got any pics? shedding weight is always a good thing...

 

[PLD]

Unfortunately I do not and my ski is getting prepped for a fresh new look. But I took some pictures of a buddy's hood and pointed out what i did. Hopefully this helps they were taken in the dark and the pollen is crazy right now, but the yellow arrows show where I either filled in or cut out and the black ring is where I added the hose... ?

I should add that with the front hood liner removed it made it super easy to glass Also if you plan to cut the hood liner out do leave a lip or lil meat for where the hood meets the seal.

where those blue rectangles are I bridged the gaps there as well I felt that could be a place for water to come in too.

 

[sxipro02]

Very nice, thanks for the info. I think I will be doing that to mine when I get it back from the painter.

 

[Magyar68]

May I jump in, Just cut out the Front part of the Hood liner. PLD did you reinstall the liner when you were done. or just patch the front and Top intakes?

 

[PLD]

I tossed it in the trash with the foam once I filled in those intakes. I think it saves ~3-4lbs. I also reinforced the sides of the hood where it hangs below the hood liner since they're really flimsy and I've broke them off on another hood doing some hard smacks on the side.

 

[509freerider]

Just running a weather strip rubber molding on the inside of the hood channel will solve alot of the leaking issues. It creates a double seal and after doing this had no more issues. Super cheap and easy, at least worth a try before you go plugging holes.

 

[sxipro02]

Thanks again 509 and pld, I'm still waiting on my ski to get back from paint, been over a month now just to get the bottom cleaned up and painted black. I've got sooo many different things going at once on this thing I might just hold off on the hood for now. I do like the idea of blocking off the front air intakes though. I almost lost a pinky in the upper one the first time I tried to do a hood trick lol.

 

[2010brandingo]

I also reinforced the sides of the hood where it hangs below the hood liner since they're really flimsy and I've broke them off on another hood doing some hard smacks on the side.

this is a must on a stock hood. did this to mine years ago and it helps alot. 750's are prone to crack/break there when doing rolls and such.

BTW hows that paint coming along? what did you end up going with?

 

[motozachl]

Ended up gutting mine too. Saves undner 10lbs so doubt it was really worth it. Also opened up the left side breather holes while blocking off (fiberglassed over) those huge ports on the front left and rear right. Ended up drilling holes though into the rear spots so it doesn't choke on air when the front is submerged.

Before

After