Super Jet Stock drive couplers vs. AM couplers

[jloria]

Who runs stock couplers instead of AM ones for engine safety reasons?

In other words, who prefers to have a stock coupler break in fear of greater engine damage with the AM drive couplers?

Assuming the AM couplers are a lot stronger of course. Forgive me for being redundant...


At my level, and being off ski's for a while, I doubt would be able to see a difference. Maybe if I tested them back to back I could but who knows...


It seems like it's question time for me so thanks to everyone for your input.

 

[fastony]

It's mostly about having lighter couplers A/M so your motor revs quicker than strength and of course the bling factor!

 

[B3IS]

For safety reasons really ??? Wear a helmet, and a condom.

 

[raytherace]

It's mostly about having lighter couplers A/M so your motor revs quicker than strength and of course the bling factor!

there is not much difference in wight and we dont see the coupler on a SJ because of the coupler cover

 

[Mark44]

save your money and stay stock.

 

[freestyle 650]

The couplers are not the weakest link in the drivetrain so upgrading to billet isn't going to damage the motor if somthing were to suddenly jam up the pump, most likly it would be the threads on the inside of the coupler or the splines in the midshaft would strip. The most common cause for coupler failure is borken motor mounts letting the couplers hit each other and they shatter and can cause some damage to the motor and ebox as shrapnel, so in that aspect I would say that the billet couplers are safer because they don't shatter like the cast oem ones

 

[JetManiac]

A/m couplers are lighter but also smaller in diameter so the difference in weight is bigger for faster reving.

Another benefit to the smaller diameter is that the a/m couplers dont hang down into the bilge as far so you get less water sling and less drag when starting your ski with lots of water in the bilge.

Finally there are those (xscream) that prefer the oem cast (weak) couplers to be a weak link to blow out and prevent other damage! And this is certainly a valid point. However, I prefer the super strong billet design of the a/m (ADA and Cold Fusion) couplers. I want to keep riding and not have a failure in the surf. I have broken motor mounts, hit bottom with front and rear of ski, spit out/damaged coupler dampeners, etc. but never had to stop riding because of a/m couplers failing and never killed my motor because of them either.

Depending on your setup and bank account, there may be other upgrades that you should do first however.

 

[john zigler]

don't forget, with billet couplers, doing an engine / drive alignment is much easier, and more accurate.

 

[motozachl]

...broken motor mounts, hit bottom with front and rear of ski, spit out/damaged coupler...

This is exactly what happen to me in Forida. Lawn darted and the engine side coupler shattered. Didn't find out till later on that one of my motor mounts was bad, but then again that couldn't been done from that terrible stab me thinks

 

[jloria]

For safety reasons really ??? Wear a helmet, and a condom.

Engine safety reasons- There are some, as jetmaniac expressed, that choose to run the stock coupler for engine damage reasons. I have some friends that run stock based on this theory as well.

I'm sure there are many variables invloved in each case of damage. I think it would be hard to pin point how the damage started in some cases too.

Freestyle650 makes another good point regarding coupler failure coming from broken motor mounts.

I forgot to add that I was aware of the weight savings and the quicker revs.

I'll be riding a 50/50 mix of flat water and surf. Surf safety is more of a concern that quick revs but both would be ideal

Great points everyone.

 

[jloria]

This is exactly what happen to me in Forida. Lawn darted and the engine side coupler shattered. Didn't find out till later on that one of my motor mounts was bad, but then again that couldn't been done from that terrible stab me thinks

Sound like you were running a stock coupler, is that correct?

Based on that experience, if stock, do you think you will stick to stock only?

 

[kevbo]

Who runs stock couplers instead of AM ones for engine safety reasons?

In other words, who prefers to have a stock coupler break in fear of greater engine damage with the AM drive couplers?

Assuming the AM couplers are a lot stronger of course. Forgive me for being redundant...


At my level, and being off ski's for a while, I doubt would be able to see a difference. Maybe if I tested them back to back I could but who knows...


It seems like it's question time for me so thanks to everyone for your input.

I saw a stock coupler lose an ear while wake jumping. It shook so bad we had to tow him in. I you have a lot of power and/or beat up your ski then an A/M coupler may save a day of riding. Something to think about if you ride far from home.

 

[motozachl]

Sound like you were running a stock coupler, is that correct?
Based on that experience, if stock, do you think you will stick to stock only?

Yes I was and have since switched to the cold fusion couplers. I am thinking that if I had kenny keepers on that lawn dart move, I might not have had an issue though but that's just a what if

 

[JetManiac]

Sound like you were running a stock coupler, is that correct?

Based on that experience, if stock, do you think you will stick to stock only?

Yes, he was running stock couplers, but ironically, we had already shipped him cold fusion couplers right before daytona but he hadnt installed them yet. We had oem couplers at daytona to keep him on the water though.

 

[BruceSki]

I use the 5 finger OEM couplers. They are cheap and I haven't had a problem with them. My cold fusion ones got nearly destroyed when I broke a set of motor mounts. The urethane dampener exploded and the couplers did some kissing. I have broken mounts again since then with the stock 5 finger couplers with no issues. I think the stock stuff is a little more forgiving in that situation.

I also found it easier to align with the larger couplers, rather than the kawi style ones.

Just my .02

 

[tightithrash]

I use the 5 finger OEM couplers. They are cheap and I haven't had a problem with them. My cold fusion ones got nearly destroyed when I broke a set of motor mounts. The urethane dampener exploded and the couplers did some kissing. I have broken mounts again since then with the stock 5 finger couplers with no issues. I think the stock stuff is a little more forgiving in that situation.

I also found it easier to align with the larger couplers, rather than the kawi style ones.

Just my .02

highly doubt that.

 

[WILKEY]

I like stock as well..... My umi ones got all hacked up. Didnt break them but mangled them so bad I just trashed it.

 

[BruceSki]

highly doubt that.

I'll look for the thread. I sold them real cheap because I wrecked the ears on the coupler. They were all mashed up. Billet is soft.

Granted I had blown motor mounts and rode the rest of the day on them. Probably should have called it a day.