suzuki gt380 pod filters

[smokingbanana90]

Hello, Has anyone ever used pod filters on their suzuki gt? If so how do they affect performance? Also, is it okay to use pod filers on the gt's? Thanks!

[JFISHSOLEVIBE]

You'll hear a lot of different things regarding pods, but the general consensus is that the stock airbox (when clean) will provide more uniform performance. I replaced my stock box with pods because the boots were hard and would not stay attached to the carbs. Since then, I have jetted up my carbs in order to balance the new larger volume of air with equal fuel, and I will tell you that it has been a headache ever since. I went up a single jet on each circuit because the bike was a bit lean with pods on stock jetting, and the bike is now slightly rich. There is no in between so I have been tuning my carbs for some time.

My recommendation: stick with the stock airbox. It works!

[smokingbanana90]

Thank you. This is exactly the type of response I was looking for. I am having difficulty getting the boot on the carb openings so I just considered buying new pod filters. But based on your response I might just try to get the old stock stuff working.

[Alan H]

To mount rubbers to barrels or carbs to rubbers on barrels, use a ratchet type load strap right round the barrels and rubbers/carbs.
Tighten slowly and some swear words may be needed.
PM me if you don't know any/the right ones.
This method does work as my rubbers were hard and needed 'help' to locate.

using a ratchet strap also helps with the exhausts across the joining pipes if you are 'economical' like me and use slightly thicker 'O' rings on the joining pieces instead of the expensive Suzuki OEM ones.

[Vintageman]

Heat them up with hair dryer first helps soften too.

Somewhere I saw Acetone will temporarily soften them as well.

[celt_rock]

Yeah but do you want to "temporarily" soften them? Once the rubber starts to get hard it starts to
shrink, get brittle and not seal as well. There was a discussion on here of oil of wintergreen and
folks were saying it works well to soften old rubber but then the rubber pretty quickly devolves
back to its aged state. It may be best to try to find some new rubber or work out your jetting
with pods. I know with my bike the whole airbox assembly and battery box were Awol so I'm
looking at some creative fixes and I believe pods will be a first step along the way. Some folks
on here swear they can use pods and have never had to change their jetting. Granted I'm coming
from the land of the T500, not the GT380 so maybe I'm just full of sh@t.

[yeadon_m]

If your bike is otherwise stock, I'd urge you to find a reliable way to use a stock airbox. The 380 runs very well indeed as designed. If its been ported / tuned, maybe stock box is restrictive. The rubber is softened with gentle heat and so long as the airbox clamps are on tight while warm it'll stay put. I would not re-use stiffened rubbers on the intake side, when they leak its not a good thing for motor longevity and at least these are still available new.
Mike

[Coyote]

Pods? No problem. Even the el cheapo's work. Do plan on upping the pilot jets by one size or it will be difficult to set the idle. Also if you use paper elements like these, be sure to lightly oil them. Not wet -- just a mist. too much oil on them will act like a choke. The light oil increases their effectiveness. I don't have this bike anymore, but the lad that bought it is having zero problems.
Look at it this way, it won't cost you a fortune to try.

[JFISHSOLEVIBE]

Coyote,

Did you stick with the stock main jets? I went up a size on both pilot and main and sense that it's always been a bit rich but no major bogging to speak of. I did have to raise the clip on the needle one position.

[smokingbanana90]

Thanks everyone for input. Today I noticed that my element has disintegrated. Are there any options for making a new element to put in where the stock one is supposed to sit? Also, would putting new foam possibly choke out the carbs?

[JFISHSOLEVIBE]

I thnk UNI makes a replacement element

[Coyote]

You can get a bulk sheet from Dennis Kirk,com and cut your own. It's made by UNI and the sheet is large enough to cover the 2 cones. Their part number is 30-1500. Here's a link: https://www.denniskirk.com/uni/bulk-air ... 301500.sku" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Check your local bike shop. They may stock something. Do NOT use common everyday foam. The oil and fuel vapors will melt it and then you'd have a real mess!

[smokingbanana90]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I just ordered some UNI filter material to replace the foam in the stock airbox.