Evoluzione Filter kit

[xlr8r]

I installed an Evoluzione high performance filter kit today. The kit requires that the stock filters and snorkel be replaced with Ken Zeller's billet filter frames and high flow filter. In other words, the ram air is removed entirely. Installation was very straightforward. You can see the new red filter installed, each side the same.

My impressions.

In stock trim, the bike is quiet and well mannered. Except for the well known criticisms of clunk gearbox and some poor slow running everything on the bike is what I would describe as civilized. Many of us install an aftermarket exhaust to save weight and turn up the volume. I put a Remus Genesis on mine for this reason and got what I was looking for in terms of exhaust note. After installing the filter kit I can honestly say it truly makes this civilized bike "fierce". The induction noise is magnified 3x. It's amazing how much more loud the sound as the rpm's build. There's no comparison. Ken has dyno tests that says the bike makes more power and it certainly feels very strong.

If you like this bike in stealth mode, you probably won't like this kit. But, if you want a way more aggressive experience, this is the way to go.

I have also removed the passenger pegs and added more carbon fiber. Here are a few pics.

[ltm8k12]

Wouldn't removing the ram air ducts cause a loss in power at speed? You may make a little more power on a dyno, but at full speed the atmospheric pressure that that ram air ducts creates should make more power. The problem....there is no real scientific way to test this theory though, other than doing top speed runs with a radar gun. Because even 1/4 mile times have way too many factors that effect the ET.

[xlr8r]

The gains that are realized with ram air happen at very high speed. The engine might actually make a few less horses with the new filters sans ram air but that would be at somewhere near top speed. I probably won't test it much but now I may only be able to do 165 instead of 167. But, at lower speed and rpm, the throttle IS more responsive.

As I said though, there's a lot more induction roar than before. If for some reason you decide to go back to stock, the good news is that the OEM filters and ram air can go back on in about 15 minutes.

[Pirate]

Just curious... and I hope I don't sound condescending... While I am a known HP junkie and will usually try any proven go-faster goodies.. How does one come to a major decision like this??.. Removing vital parts (and probably voiding your 3 year warranty) off a brand new motorcycle to install a product that is 100% unknown and unproven?

You are a braver man than I, my friend...

[evoluzione]

pirate,

if it helps any, i'm a degreed automotive engineer (mechanical) that has worked in this industry since the early '90s. i have headed up the enginneering department of several major aftermarket companies and have done extensive work designing o.e. (original equipment) products - customers include porsche and ford. i was also one of the first engineers in the country certified as an iso9001 auditor.

now, back to your original concern. we have been building performance products for italian bikes for ~6 years and started developing products for the k-bikes earlier this year. we literally have thousands of miles testing and developing every product we sell (including the airflow system) as well as a money back guarantee on all of our products (try it on your bike, if you don't think it was worthwhile, send it back).

hope this helps.


regards,

ken zeller
evoluzione cyclesports

[xlr8r]

There is no shortage of data to suggest that high flow filters increase performance. Also, Ken has reported on this particular application during and after development of the product including posting before and after dyno charts. If you've not seen the kit, it consists of aircraft quality billet frames that hold reuseable filters that will last basically for the life of the bike. As far as the voidance of the warranty, I'm pretty sure it would not do that and I can always pop the originals back on if need be.

If you've ever put an aftermarket pipe on a bike, it only makes sense to increase airflow on the front end as well.

[BMTrevR]

Your bike sure is looking sharp these days. Very nice and tasty indeed.

[Catatafish]

Nice pics xlr8r. The CF lends itself well to the bumblebee scheme.

I'm guessing that the sound change is due to the resonance changing by the removal of the snorkel itself. This is the first thing tuners do with their cars...get rid of all those factory resonators and repalce with an oil/cloth type air filter.

Typically in higher performance vehicles, and I'm not saying it's happening with this particular filter, but the limiting factors in air flow are bends, resonators, catalytic convertor and intake tube size (as opposed to the filter itself). So I'm wondering if simply removing the snorkels would produce the same effect. When you removed the snorkel, would the factory paper air filter remain in place on its own? Or does the snorkel hold the factory paper filter in place?

TIA.

[xlr8r]

There are 3 sections to the filter ram air assembly. The snorkel(ram air tube) fits onto a receiver. The snorkel and receiver carry the filter on the back side which then clips onto the air box. The evoluzione kit replaces the plastic receiver with billet filter carriers that clip onto the airbox. You could remove the snorkel and keep the stock filter and receiver. I don't know how well that OE filter flows but I'm sure it would be louder with no ram air tube to muffle the induction sound.

[zx9rmal]

<<I have also removed the passenger pegs and added more carbon fiber>>

I tried removing the passenger pegs by removing the bolts securing them, but they are still secured. What's the trick? I have the Repair CD but, of course, there's nothing in there. I have a carbon muffler bracket coming and want to remove both sides since I never ride with a passenger.

[xlr8r]

Mal, here's what you do.

Remove all bolts holding the passenger pegs in place. The pegs will not come out due to the design where the sub frame crosses the pegs. Go ahead and remove the front bolt that secures the subframe to the frame. Now, use a little brute force and pull the subframe out. You will be able to gain enough clearance so that the pegs will come out. Nothing bends or breaks and you only need a small clearance to get it done.

[zx9rmal]

xlr8r -

Excellent. Thanks. I'll do it tomorrow while the hurricane is passing through. :)

[Pirate]

Ken..You sound like you know what you are talking about..I bow to your experience. For whatever reason I must have missed any previous posts on this subject/product... Got a URL to a website with actual pics and prices of this kit?? I can't tell much by the pic posted in the initial post.

also.. Usually when you install an aftermarket exhaust or performance chip on ANY BMW you have to unplug the battery for a few hours so the motronic box will clear so upon restart the box will read the new software/hardware and adjust accoredingly.. Do you recommend the same procedure with this new air filter kit? Or is is as easy as plug-n-play..??

PS.. Italian bikes?? Got anything for my MV F4?

pirate,

if it helps any, i'm a degreed automotive engineer (mechanical) that has worked in this industry since the early '90s. i have headed up the enginneering department of several major aftermarket companies and have done extensive work designing o.e. (original equipment) products - customers include porsche and ford. i was also one of the first engineers in the country certified as an iso9001 auditor.

now, back to your original concern. we have been building performance products for italian bikes for ~6 years and started developing products for the k-bikes earlier this year. we literally have thousands of miles testing and developing every product we sell (including the airflow system) as well as a money back guarantee on all of our products (try it on your bike, if you don't think it was worthwhile, send it back).

hope this helps.


regards,

ken zeller
evoluzione cyclesports

[evoluzione]

though i'm still working on our new web site, you can see our bmw products here on this temporary page:

http://www.evoluzione.net/assets/web_info/bmw_products.htm

as to the ecu, we do recommend that the battery be disconnected for 20 minutes to reset the "block learn" tables.

with regards to mv's, we haven't done much with them other than build some custom bikes. our forte is ducati, aprilia and other ultra exotics. here is a shot i took outside our shop a couple months ago with some of the bikes we were working on:

http://www.evoluzione.net/assets/web_info/superbikes.jpg

left to right: honda nr750, bimota v-due, benelli tornado l.e., mondial piega, mv agusta tamburini, bimota sb8rs, benelli tnt, ducati 999r project bike


regards,

ken zeller

[MadMax]

Now that is a fine stable of play-things. Absolutely beautiful.

[DOA]

http://sportrider.com/tech/146_9912_ram/
is one place that has simulated ram air.

http://www.zx11.info/zx11/uk3.htm
is also a good read

On my ZX11C even a little speed matters. On a cold morning I dynoed my Kawi ZX11C at C&J Automotive with a chain drive water dyno at 150 HP@10,000 rpm. The room was cold so we did not turn on the dyno mounted cooling fan. That afternoon I wanted to establish a baseline at 75 degrees F and ran the bike again and got 152 hp with warmer air. This was puzzling.
Clifford (C of C&J) suggested we turn off the 24" diameter cooling fan we used to keep air through the radiator for a couple of minutes and the HP fell to 148. We could repeat a 3-4 HP difference with a max 30 mph wind from that fan. Inlet temperature no doubt has some input here. But from what I see and read even 50 mph gives ram air the edge. Assumng all else is equal.

On the other hand, any motorcycle making 150 hp (or 167 in our case =)) will not be going 50 mph for long.

[xlr8r]

For me, it all boils down to whom you trust.

I know nothing about the science that goes into developing a product like the filter kit offerred by Evoluzione. I do know that Evoluzione has a great track record and I have followed Ken Zeller's advice on the Ducati forum with regards to my 999r.

His products seem to make sense and the company has a good reputation. The best part is that when you order an Evoluzione part, it's usually in stock on the shelf and you get it in a few days, overnight if you pay the post.

You can't beat that!

[cesarb]

I like their clutch cylinder slave as I find the clutch pull a bit on the hard side (certainly harder than my previous RS/GT). I adjusted the reach even more by loosening the 2 pinch bolts on the clip ons. The adjustment screw does not seem to offer to much of a range (compared with the brake side).
The Evoluzuione's product also looks trick in billet. How long of an instal is this I wonder.
I am not familiar with clutch work.

[evoluzione]

though i've been doing this for a while, the install is quite easy. it should not take more than 30 minutes (it takes me less than 15 minutes) but here is a link to our instructions if you would like to review them:

http://www.evoluzione.net/downloads/96041_instructions.pdf


regards,

ken zeller

[zx9rmal]

Ken -

What about using the filters WITH the snorkels? Would there be a worthwhile gain?

[Vanos]

I have also removed the passenger pegs and added more carbon fiber. Here are a few pics.

I knew it! I recognize that Yellow Arai from Montlake last week by the Univ. Hospital. Your bike is hot. Can't wait to get one (blue&white) :)

[Lenz]

My relatively uninformed assessment of this modification follows:
(1) Design and effectiveness of ram air/inlet snorkels
(2) Design and effectiveness of replacement air filter

(1) Ram air is effective but does require a significantly larger primary inlet scoop area in relation to the throttle body cross section area plus plenty of cross sectional area in a high filtration specs air filter to provide performance improvement. In general, logic would suggest that positive pressure in the air box is a good thing but if the primary scoop cross sectional area / filter restriction / vehicle speed balance is not right or adequate there may be little nett gain at lower vehicle speeds.

(2) From personal experience with LPG fuelled car engines, gasoline fueled car and motorcycle engines and methanol fueled motorcycle engines oiled foam filters with sticky filter oil have been the best compromise for airflow and filtration function in electronic fuel injected engines. While it is possible to cause problems with over oiling K&N filters I have had continuing problems with mixture control/variation in engines due to K&N filter oil contaminating MAP sensors and causing false readings with lean out and missing. While I have not used their products, another cloth gauze type filter manufacturer -aFe seems to have addressed these issues with high flow and filtration specs. Engines without air flow sensors/MAP sensitivities have not been adversely affected by K&N air filters.

Perhaps time trial field testing of the K1200s is the simplest albeit empirical way of revealing results from these modifications. It appears to be a difficult exercise to duplicate under way air flow/ram pressures in the workshop.

Cheers
Lenz
Brisbane

[xlr8r]

curious why this thread was moved?

[htheater]

The post was moved since it had become an indirect advertisement which is against site rules. It is OK for members to discuss products and services, but, once the provider of that product and service gets involved in the posting and is posting his/her qualifications, urls to his/her website, pictures of installs and statements of "money back guarantees", etc. it crosses the line. These should have been done via PMs or emails rather than public posts.

It is a fine line since, in this case, Ken was mainly answering questions. He was not aware of our policy and was in no way trying to circumvent them. I explained his options on how to handle those type of posts and how he is more than welcome to be an active member; he just needs to "walk softly" when it comes to promoting his own products. Jerry (pirate), AnTRacing and the EarPlug Company are some examples of active members that do a pretty good job of separating business from pleasure.

I also informed Ken about our Registered Vendor subscriptions and he has decided to become a Premium Vendor.....keep an eye out for his sub-forum later today. This sub-forum will allow him to start threads that can be educational, sales promotions, etc. In the future if his products are discussed in the non-vendor forums, he can simply refer them to his sub-forum for details!

Thanks for asking!

Your k-bikes.com administrators

[rivi777]

Quote: "I have a carbon muffler bracket coming and want to remove both sides since I never ride with a passenger."

Me too!

I ordered the CF exhaust hanger from Pack Parts for my R but had difficultly attaching my Laser Duotech to it. The CF hanger mount point is higher and more forward than the stock position. I had it set up but was not comfortable with the increased stress upon the hanger. I didn't want it to crack or break. I believe it is made for the PowerCup bike with the stubby can. Also notice how the angle of the muffler changes. It looks great on the bumble bee bike. Did you tweak it any? I was affraid to modify it in any way in case I needed to return it, which I did...

[Racegun]

My relatively uninformed assessment of this modification follows:
(1) Design and effectiveness of ram air/inlet snorkels
(2) Design and effectiveness of replacement air filter

(1) Ram air is effective but does require a significantly larger primary inlet scoop area in relation to the throttle body cross section area plus plenty of cross sectional area in a high filtration specs air filter to provide performance improvement. In general, logic would suggest that positive pressure in the air box is a good thing but if the primary scoop cross sectional area / filter restriction / vehicle speed balance is not right or adequate there may be little nett gain at lower vehicle speeds.

(2) From personal experience with LPG fuelled car engines, gasoline fueled car and motorcycle engines and methanol fueled motorcycle engines oiled foam filters with sticky filter oil have been the best compromise for airflow and filtration function in electronic fuel injected engines. While it is possible to cause problems with over oiling K&N filters I have had continuing problems with mixture control/variation in engines due to K&N filter oil contaminating MAP sensors and causing false readings with lean out and missing. While I have not used their products, another cloth gauze type filter manufacturer -aFe seems to have addressed these issues with high flow and filtration specs. Engines without air flow sensors/MAP sensitivities have not been adversely affected by K&N air filters.

Perhaps time trial field testing of the K1200s is the simplest albeit empirical way of revealing results from these modifications. It appears to be a difficult exercise to duplicate under way air flow/ram pressures in the workshop.

Cheers
Lenz
Brisbane


LENS,
What you say is what I have been thinking. How could one know if the cotton filter removes small enough particles? Is there any way to know.....or does one need to disassemble engine after 20,000 miles to check for abnormal wear?? All important questions to be sure.Certainly the K12R makes plenty hp. But crisp throttle response is nice...and mid range oooomph is cool as well. Do you think the filters help..or hurt? Also does it void warranty...if so ....what all of waranty....the engine.... I need to know. I guess one could buy a new air box, modify it and keep the old to install if engine dies.

[voxmagna]

Do we have MAP sensors on our simple Motronics EFI system?

When I read up on multipoint injection to build my fuel meter, I wasn't that impressed with fuel injected into the intake, just sitting there waiting for the inlet valve to open. But it sounds cheaper than individual high pressure direct injection to each cylinder.

I don't know much about ram air, but I think it would need to be compatible with the multipoint injection system used on our bikes.