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DNA Filter and Airbox Cover

M

markm228

Well travelled
Location
Easton, PA
Guys,

I installed the DNA filter and airbox cover, and I LOVE IT! While it won't make the Meteor 350 a superbike, it'll wake it up. The bike accelerates better; it has better throttle response; it pulls better in all gears; and, it makes a louder intake roar. With the stock filter and snorkel, my Meteor would barely pull in fifth, especially if I shifted at 40-45 mph. Now? It pulls better in fifth. I'm very happy with my DNA filter and airbox cover... :)

Now, if you install the filter and airbox cover, you need to let the bike idle for a minimum of 10-12 minutes until the bike can reach operating temperature. Why? Because the ECU has to learn the new configuration. The DNA filter and airbox cover will allow more air in to the engine, which will change the mixture, which will be seen at the O2 sensors. If it's cold out, let the bike idle for longer-again, so it reaches operating temperature. DO NOT BLIP OR TWIST THE THROTTLE AT ALL WHILE IDLING THE BIKE AFTER FILTER INSTALL! Once you're done, go for a short 2-3 mile ride, so as to verify that everything is still working all right; if all is well, then go for a longer ride and enjoy the bike!
 
Morgan60

Morgan60

Well travelled
Location
USA
It’s amazing how much just a good high flow air filter makes in the way your bike runs. I put a Stratos Performance air filter and their intake cap in my 650 Continental GT. I’m very happy with it. I’m hope the start making air filters for other REs.
 
M

markm228

Well travelled
Location
Easton, PA
Morgan60 said:
It’s amazing how much just a good high flow air filter makes in the way your bike runs. I put a Stratos Performance air filter and their intake cap in my 650 Continental GT. I’m very happy with it. I’m hope the start making air filters for other REs.
Click to expand...
We have another filter maker? That's great! My first thought was to go with K&N, not only because they're an established, well known company; they're also American. Unfortunately, they don't even list the RE Meteor 350, let alone make a filter for it. Thankfully, DNA does, so I got it and the airbox cover. It does a good job. But yeah, it's amazing what an engine can do when it can-gasp-breathe!
 
Shorty

Shorty

Getting there...
Location
Oklahoma
I put a DNA filter and bellmouth on my Meteor as well. It does run better getting up to speed, but it still runs out of steam at the same paltry 65 mph. Noisy too.
 
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M

markm228

Well travelled
Location
Easton, PA
Shorty said:
I put a DNA filter and berllmouth on my Meteor as well. It does run better getting up to speed, but it still runs out of steam at the same paltry 65 mph. Noisy too.
Click to expand...
The fact that the bike runs out of steam is more likely due to the fact that it has two valves, plus it's a long stroke engine. In any case, the Meteor goes as fast as I care to go on two wheels these days! I just turned 60, and my zest for risk isn't the same as it once was. I also like the sound; I think it sounds great! The Meteor gives off a deeper, throatier thump; it thumps like it means it... :)
 
Shorty

Shorty

Getting there...
Location
Oklahoma
markm228 said:
The fact that the bike runs out of steam is more likely due to the fact that it has two valves, plus it's a long stroke engine. In any case, the Meteor goes as fast as I care to go on two wheels these days! I just turned 60, and my zest for risk isn't the same as it once was. I also like the sound; I think it sounds great! The Meteor gives off a deeper, throatier thump; it thumps like it means it... :)
Click to expand...
I love the bike. I live in a place where a bike not doing the speed limit is dangerous. I just want all the bike has to offer. I'm sure its good for 10 more MPH if uncorked, and that will be a good safety margin. Slow roads here are 65 mph.
 

Attachments

mpp1

mpp1

Well travelled
Location
Gujarat, India
markm228 said:
Guys,

I installed the DNA filter and airbox cover, and I LOVE IT! While it won't make the Meteor 350 a superbike, it'll wake it up. The bike accelerates better; it has better throttle response; it pulls better in all gears; and, it makes a louder intake roar. With the stock filter and snorkel, my Meteor would barely pull in fifth, especially if I shifted at 40-45 mph. Now? It pulls better in fifth. I'm very happy with my DNA filter and airbox cover... :)

Now, if you install the filter and airbox cover, you need to let the bike idle for a minimum of 10-12 minutes until the bike can reach operating temperature. Why? Because the ECU has to learn the new configuration. The DNA filter and airbox cover will allow more air in to the engine, which will change the mixture, which will be seen at the O2 sensors. If it's cold out, let the bike idle for longer-again, so it reaches operating temperature. DO NOT BLIP OR TWIST THE THROTTLE AT ALL WHILE IDLING THE BIKE AFTER FILTER INSTALL! Once you're done, go for a short 2-3 mile ride, so as to verify that everything is still working all right; if all is well, then go for a longer ride and enjoy the bike!
Click to expand...
Now I've personally never done any such mods on any of my bikes, but from what I was led to believe by a mechanic was that just changing the air filter alone doesn't really help with any gains. Ideally you also want to install a free flow exhaust and get the ECU flashed on a modern bike to get a boost in performance. Your experience of a boost in performance has really got me interested now. 20bhp to be honest is more than enough for most riding conditions in India but I think that RE has done a disservice to customers by restricting the top speed of the bike artificially. Even a 2hp boost would do wonders for the fun quotient for the bike. I'm going to look into getting myself a DNA filter now, not sure if it's available in India though.
 
Bimble

Bimble

Total noob
Location
Cumbria, UK
Hi, I totally agree with all the original points raised by markm 228. I have also performed the DNA filter and airbox cover upgrade - indeed I followed his instructions regarding the initial idling time - many thanks. The bike was immediately much improved. No power improvement but now breathes much better. Faster pickup, less necessity to drop down a gear on inclines and a usable fifth gear. Pricey modification but highly recommended. Do ensure that you purchase both filter and airbox cover. The increased airflow is mainly derived from the larger air intake of the new cover. Hope this helps.
 
mpp1

mpp1

Well travelled
Location
Gujarat, India
Bimble said:
Hi, I totally agree with all the original points raised by markm 228. I have also performed the DNA filter and airbox cover upgrade - indeed I followed his instructions regarding the initial idling time - many thanks. The bike was immediately much improved. No power improvement but now breathes much better. Faster pickup, less necessity to drop down a gear on inclines and a usable fifth gear. Pricey modification but highly recommended. Do ensure that you purchase both filter and airbox cover. The increased airflow is mainly derived from the larger air intake of the new cover. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately no DNA filter available in India, importing from TEC would be prohibitively expensive for me.
hope DNA introduces this in India soon, I think they do sell the ones for the 650 twins
 
M

markm228

Well travelled
Location
Easton, PA
mpp1 said:
Unfortunately no DNA filter available in India, importing from TEC would be prohibitively expensive for me.
hope DNA introduces this in India soon, I think they do sell the ones for the 650 twins
Click to expand...
mpp1 said:
Unfortunately no DNA filter available in India, importing from TEC would be prohibitively expensive for me.
hope DNA introduces this in India soon, I think they do sell the ones for the 650 twins
Click to expand...
I ordered direct from DNA Filters' website; they ship worldwide. I don't see why you couldn't get them in India. I've ordered Royal Enfield parts from India, and they got here to the US just fine.
 
mpp1

mpp1

Well travelled
Location
Gujarat, India
The price would be so high that it'd make no sense to upgrade. I just ordered an Indian brand that requires no oiling and lasts for 75k kms, half the price of a new DNA filter. I'm not really looking for a big change in performance just better pick up and mid-range to have more fun. Top speed I don't care about. You might want to check this guy out, Way2Speed out of Chennai, he offers a lot of products for RE. I'd do a write up once I install the filter.
 
mpp1

mpp1

Well travelled
Location
Gujarat, India
I finally received my air filter from Way2speed in Chennai, India and I installed it yesterday evening, after which I went on a short 3-4 km ride in full Indian traffic with short open stretches of road where I could downshift and pull the bike. Unfortunately I did not notice a marked improvement in performance, maybe I goofed up during the install, I had to use the original snorkel which has a very small opening for air intake, maybe I need to cut our the plastic disk that covers it to let more air in. I will look into it and I plan to take out the bike for a longer ride during the weekend although it is horrendous riding conditions in India as full summer has set in, 40-43C. everyday.
 
M

markm228

Well travelled
Location
Easton, PA
Guys,

I returned my bike to stock configuration. Why? One, I was getting a lot more secondary vibrations, the high frequency ones that make your hands tingle. My hands were put to sleep! Two, the fuel and power delivery weren't as smooth; in fact, it was snatchy and jerky with the DNA filter and airbox cover. Three, I was concerned about over oiling the filter when it came time to clean it; too much oil on a reusable filter can find its way to your MAF (mass air flow) sensor, which is between the airbox and the fuel injector. A bad MAF sensor can open up a can of worms! Finally, my fuel economy is much better; I'm hitting 80 mpg now.

Unfortunately, the bike doesn't thump as well; the sound is more muted. Also, the bike doesn't pull as much, especially in 4th and 5th gears. That said, overall, I like the bike better in stock form. The bike's power delivery is more confidence inspiring now.
 
CiscoGoodDog

CiscoGoodDog

Well travelled
Location
California, USA
markm228 said:
it was snatchy and jerky with the DNA filter and airbox cover.
Click to expand...
Perhaps the EFI could not compensate for the increased air flow using the performance filter and intake together. That's why I was asking about fitting the DNA filter to the stock intake cover. I'm sure the system was engineered to allow enough air intake for the amount of engine displacement.
 
CiscoGoodDog

CiscoGoodDog

Well travelled
Location
California, USA
I got my Meteor last week and swapped out the stock (paper) filter for the DNA filter, but I kept the stock air-horn intake. I allowed the engine to warm up before taking my first ride, and it runs smoothly through the throttle range under different loads. I'm curious about why @markm228 was having performance issues. Could the DNA intake air-horn allow the air to swirl (vortex) causing a slight negative pressure at high intake volumes?
 
Eatmore Mudd

Eatmore Mudd

Moderator
Staff member
Location
The Pacific Nothwet
markm228 said:
The fact that the bike runs out of steam is more likely due to the fact that it has two valves, plus it's a long stroke engine. In any case, the Meteor goes as fast as I care to go on two wheels these days! I just turned 60, and my zest for risk isn't the same as it once was. I also like the sound; I think it sounds great! The Meteor gives off a deeper, throatier thump; it thumps like it means it... :)
Click to expand...
Imho it's do more to the mildness of the cam and intake tract. Chryslers 426 Hemi is a two valver with more stroke than our LS 410. Any one of those eight cylinders pulls more air-fuel.
RE builds for the world market.
Most of the world prizes fuel economy like we do horsepower over here. Our engines are tuned and mapped to happily and affordably do what they do all-day every day anywhere on the planet. Just my two cents worth.
 
M

markm228

Well travelled
Location
Easton, PA
Eatmore Mudd said:
Imho it's do more to the mildness of the cam and intake tract. Chryslers 426 Hemi is a two valver with more stroke than our LS 410. Any one of those eight cylinders pulls more air-fuel.
RE builds for the world market.
Most of the world prizes fuel economy like we do horsepower over here. Our engines are tuned and mapped to happily and affordably do what they do all-day every day anywhere on the planet. Just my two cents worth.
Click to expand...
That makes sense. BTW, Tec Bikes in the UK is working on a cam for the Meteor. They did one for the Himalayan, and it gained 20% HP with just the cam swap.
 
M

markm228

Well travelled
Location
Easton, PA
CiscoGoodDog said:
I got my Meteor last week and swapped out the stock (paper) filter for the DNA filter, but I kept the stock air-horn intake. I allowed the engine to warm up before taking my first ride, and it runs smoothly through the throttle range under different loads. I'm curious about why @markm228 was having performance issues. Could the DNA intake air-horn allow the air to swirl (vortex) causing a slight negative pressure at high intake volumes?
Click to expand...
I suppose it's possible. I attributed the increased vibration and jerky power delivery to the fact that the ECU map couldn't adequately compensate for the increased airfly that the DNA filter and bellmouth provide. While I intend to keep the stock filter in the bike, what I am going to do is order another RE snorkel, then remove it with a Dremel tool. I thought about using the DNA high flow bellmouth, but it doesn't plug in to the filter to keep it from moving around. The RE snorkel mates with the stock filter, so it stays in place; the DNA bellmouth doesn't do this, and it's designed to mate with their filter anyway.
 
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