Freestyle Tech Tip: Xmetal XS OG trim mod for improved handling

[JetManiac]

This is a modification you can make to your Xmetal trim to improve trim and steering functions. Water always seeks path of least resistance as we all know. When water is exiting your jet pump it usually goes straight out the steering nozzle as it should. When you turn sharply and/or pull trim, however, you are restricting the water flow and this can cause excessive turbulence causing water to shoot out between trim ring and steering nozzle, or bring air in and disrupt flow.

A low cost and relatively easy fix is to install a bpipe coupler hose over the trim ring to fill the space between trim ring and steering nozzle. I was shocked after this simple mod how much steering and trim were improved especially during hard turns under load.



Start with an 1 5/8" piece of bpipe silicone coupler and install flush with front of trim ring. Then install a hose clamp as shown to attach hose. You will need to slide clamp around after test fitting steering nozzle to find best location. There is a bump out in the trim steering nozzle that has just enough under it. I had to grind on the clamp some to clear it well. It is important that you dont hit or you can shatter your nozzle.



Installed


Clamp after grinding to clear

 

[JetManiac]

Now cut coupler flush with rear of trim ring but leave a tab on each side like shown. These mimic the later model oem trim rings. The tab will help to seal during a hard turn.



Finished coupler. I angled the cut to fit better.





Notice how it seals opening and all the way around as well.



Installed and ready to ride.

 

[hesty32]

Sweet write up Chris! I did the same thing on a Solas nozzle but used a plumbing flex hose from Home Depot. Didn't have any extra silicon hose. Makes an amazing difference. Feels like I have a little more steering throw (obviously don't but nozzles are more efficient at full throw) and it solved my left turn engine stutter from back pressure on the exhaust outlet on my aquabot. Thanks for writing it up with excellent pictures

 

[Philip Clemmons]

Great mod. Can take some time and effort to get right, especially if you have modified (higher than stock) travel steering. Well worth it in the end. I run it on all my skis.

 

[subhard]

I'm gonna have to try this

 

[hesty32]

JetManiac,
Is this the manifold to chamber coupler that costs about $19? Looks like if you were careful and offset the tabs you could make two out of one coupler, does that sound about right? As always, thanks fer yer help and advice!

 

[JetManiac]

JetManiac,
Is this the manifold to chamber coupler that costs about $19? Looks like if you were careful and offset the tabs you could make two out of one coupler, does that sound about right? As always, thanks fer yer help and advice!

Yes, it is.

 

[stagesrt4]

I've been meaning to do this but have put it off. Took me about half hour to do it all. You definitely have to grind down hose clamp.

Thanks Chris..

 

[DAG]

Anyone done this on a thrust trim or not needed?

 

[AdzUK]

Just been trying to do similar on my thrust trim with flat hose but wasnt enough room to do it. It deffo needs something doing on my thrust trim as a lot of water blows out the side on full lock. Anyone any ideas?

 

[NVJAY775]

It does take some time and patience getting it right, but pays off HUGE. I messed one up a while back and had to run a couple days without it and it sucked.... Although it was my fault it messed up. I lube it up with vaseline before every ride now And the fitment is also key.

 

[deftons56]

I made one for $4 and never have to lube it, works great.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[DAG]

Care to give details? And for what trim?

 

[JetManiac]

Anyone done this on a thrust trim or not needed?

The Xmetal trim ring is stainless steel so it is relatively thin which allows the room for the bpipe coupler to fill the space. The Thrust trim ring is aluminum so it is much thicker, which doesn't leave room for this mod. The newer style Thrust ezflow pro trim ring was changed to take up more space and is shaped differently to seal better than the original ezpull trim ring.

 

[deftons56]

Care to give details? And for what trim?

http://www.x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/cheap-xmetal-trim-coupler-mod.151070/

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AdzUK]

Well dropped my Thrust trim off with Braapp Factory today and a hour later a flow guard was fitted. This is fitted inside the trim ring and has been tested on other skis for a while an works great.

 

[txsuperjetfreak96]

Well dropped my Thrust trim off with Braapp Factory today and a hour later a flow guard was fitted. This is fitted inside the trim ring and has been tested on other skis for a while an works great.

That's very cool. Is that the original ez pull or pro-flow

2013 aquabot from the under water planet Cybertron

 

[AdzUK]

Its the original ez pull i think, not the latest one.

 

[JetManiac]

@Bobert540

 

[SELF27]

I made one for $4 and never have to lube it, works great.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

Does this make the nozzle harder to turn since its rubbing nozzle? I Just put one on my x metal trim ring, and steering seems hard to turn? clears clamp. just the rubber contacting nozzle seems to be issue.