NEED ADVICE **First Ski** 96 GSX with 787 is this normal???

[Aarons978]

Hello All,

I have been talking to a seller of a 96 GSX that has the 787 (according to him). I am water testing it today actually but just noticed something in the pictures that has me worried. I have attached the picture of the engine bay and as can be seen there are no air hoses, just 2 (what look like) air filters. I did some searching last night and found out that K&N actually do sell flame arrestors that look somewhat similar and on pwcperformance.com (i think) I found some 4" filters that boasted better performance.


Is this normal/good practice? My feelings are no because water could get right into the filter, but this could be my first ski so I really don't know much when it comes to watercraft....Supposedly has less than 100hrs.

 

[nammer]

I agree with what looks like water could get into, but I don't believe it to be a problem, I've seen sons of skis with similar setups, also that is a 97 gsx, best of luck with your trial run today

 

[LouDoo]

The stock setup is really better especially if you ever roll your ski, but the aftermarket air cleaners shouldn't be a deal breaker. Ask the seller if he has the original air box and spark arrestor.

Lou

 

[Aarons978]

Thanks for the prompt responses guys! Is the general consensus that these are not flame arrestors/filter combos? What kind of risk are we talking about when running without a flame arrestor?

 

[AdamXP800]

That is a clean 97 Gsx. Looks to be well maintained. Don't let the aftermarket flame arresters ruin the deal, they can be changed out in a matter of minutes. Good luck!

 

[Matt Braley]

You have the water ingestion risk identified. The only other concern would be weather or not they re-jetted the carbs. Normally you would up the low speed jets one size when installing those. If they did then you may have a slight increase in performance. If they did not then you may experience a bog when you nail it coming off of idle.

If you want to set it back to stock I will trade you.

 

[nammer]

hey there aaron, just saw on my comp u were located in clearwater, you're just down the street from me, briefly searched CL for ur ski, and found it

before purchasing i'd be sure to check compression too, should be 150lbs in each hole
also, in my opinion, the price is kinda high, esp for this time of year.
I'm a cheapo, so only looking for amazing deals, but I can understand paying even 500 or 600 for a ski in good running condition, especially when problems later can cost a good load more and wasted time and fun. If you're open to any other models, a few local members have, imo, better deals

check out this thread
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?52588-Florida-Classifieds/page148

matt braley and ocod may have some good options for you

 

[Spimothy Leary]

please, please do not frown on upgrades.....

 

[nammer]

please, please do not frown on upgrades.....

they are USELESS and bring down the value of a ski

j/k they're pretty cool

 

[Spimothy Leary]

they are USELESS and bring down the value of a ski

j/k they're pretty cool

they cost $100 !!!! and they sell for $100 ! its an upgrade lol

finking F/A's on a ski is a good thing.

 

[racerxxx]

they cost $100 !!!! and they sell for $100 ! its an upgrade lol

finking F/A's on a ski is a good thing.

How many mph are they worth, that's the real question.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Robj]

Not worth it IMO. Just keep it stock for the best reliability.

 

[Mekanix]

I was in the same boat, Literally

Got my first 96 GSX with Vortex flame arestors installed.

I was afraid of the same thing so I rebuilt the carbs with stock jetting and installed a stock airbox and flame arestor.

IMO its just piece of mind to have it stock. Mod it later when your comfortable. And being new to it, that ski is more than enough to have lots of fun on in stock form.

If you want to upgrade, try a prop first.

Keep in mind, if the owner put pods on it, What else was done? There might be a few things already done. Looks like the fuel lines were already done.

So a good couple of things to ask are:

Any other mods,
hours on engine
hours on pump or hull
when the pump was rebuilt,
when was the wear ring replaced
when were the carbs rebuilt
after market prop?
vts work?
fuel gage work?
compression in each cylinder

Man If I was there,,,, I'd jump on it !

 

[original420racing]

I also have the stock air box if interested in some kind of trade...