I’m a big fan of the wedges! The Kawis you need to get more hull out of the water to go faster, with yours the hull is pretty light as it is- should buy you some speed on the top end id imagine or atleast get the bow up a bit at low speed
Thanks for the video. Made installation easy. The worst part was getting the bucket bolts back in at the end. (I didn’t remove step either). Happy riding!
Would you see Similar gains on a 300x or 310? My limited understanding says that being the wedge is behind the nose cone it would have a different effect than your traditional trim adjustment you get on the 300 and 310
Yes the 300/310 you are trimming the exit nozzle whereas the wedge changes the angle of the mid section of the jet pump completely- changing your neutral position to a positive rise position. Gains, not as much, but the wedge does help immensely with getting the bow of the ski up at low speed on the 310
I bought a Kawi pump wedge for my 2023 STX 160X, can't wait to install it to see and feel the difference. How come your ultra already had a pump wedge on it? Should I consider getting a second wedge to increase to 4° up angle??? Thanks Love your channel Eric in Quebec, Canada
So the Ultra LX comes with a wedge already installed from the factory- since it doesn’t have any trim. I do not know if the 148mm pump on the STX will be able to accommodate 2 wedges like this..really this was an experiment to stack them like that and turned out to work really well.
Damn. I think I want one for my LX. The main reason I got the ultra was for the choppy days on Lake Erie. You think I'll lose any hook from the ride plate? Also what grease are you using?
I think this skis only flaw was that it doesn’t have trim…but the wedge gets the bow trimmed up big time which really helps in the chop. The ski would theoretically launch better and corner better with the bow down, but let’s be honest, nobody is buying this ski for the buoy course lol. You saw me launch in the video no cavitation or anything. I think the ski is heavy enough that it stays hooked up pretty good. Corrosion Block marine grease- great product.
At this point I just have the wedge on the ski and that alone allowed us to hit 59mph. I do have a resin fuel rail and phenolic intake manifold spacer from Kawi Performance that I will be installing soon! I expect 60mph+ once those parts are installed!
Hahah well the white ones I have are shot too and need to be replaced..they are the “professional folding canopies” from Home Depot but yeah they both basically suck
Back to the fuel pump and fuel filter. Did you get your fuel pump out in one piece? I had to separate the top part off. The STX I can turn and rotate and tilt and get it out in one piece. The Ultra pump would not come out no matter what I did. The ultra filter is probably 3 times Larger than the STX. I don't know what is going on with the gas I have been buying that could have plugged that ultra filter up. Kawasaki could have made removing that pump a lot easier.
The pump wedge? Ah your dealer probably wouldn’t even know it’s there. I don’t see how this would void a warranty, unless you over torqued bolts and stripped out the pump housing or something
Well I just looked back at the manual…they state “pump mounting bolts, 27ft lb, then now I see they have “pump mounting bolts, outlet” 14 ft lb…so I am now thinking maybe it was supposed to be 14 ft lb, not 27. Let me confirm and I’ll let you know. I have an older manual and it’s hard to tell…
Email Kawi Performance and ask them about the 3 degree wedge for the Ultra LX- we have been finalizing some testing to make sure the wedge does not interfere with the reverse bucket
The RPM increase should be accurate but no speed recordings before and after with GPS? I imagine it is faster but could the ski's new bow attitude change how the speedo wheel is spinning? Good that you saw increase. Adding the wedge to my 23 Ultra 160 LXS did not increase speed that I can tell so far. I assume trimmed up with the wedge is similar to your 2 wedges. I have not been on the Ultra much recently. Vacation had lots of other people on it while I was stuck on the boat a lot! Then I assume my fuel filter needs replacing as the ski starting running poorly. Just like 160s when filter needs changing. Utra torn apart Awaiting filter now. Changing fuel filter with Kawasaki has gotten progressively worse. Old 15s had external filter. Easy. Later 15s internal filter but easy to get to. STX 160s were bad I thought after the 15s. BUT the Ultra is far worse and should not be! I am changing my gas vendor. Used Amoco 93 then BP for 30 years. NEVER changed a fuel filter in anything. I have been buying Phillips Ethanol Free 90 pretty exclusively for 3 years from one station. That is all my Ultra has had. I will now be changing my 7th filter in the last 2 years. 5 on STX 160s. One boat. One Ultra. Have you changed your Ultra fuel filter yet? My old 2005 15f has original fuel filter! I added Kawi Performance external filter to 160LX. About to install their larger bag filter on my 160X. See how it holds up. Sorry. Didn't mean to hijack your wedge video. Lamenting the fact I am unable to ride my Ultra right now and pondering solutions to my filter issues! The old Ultra LX is a great looking ski. You are exactly right, it should have had trim years ago!
Hahah no worries man thanks for taking the time to comment. I always love any Kawasaki talk! Nope, did not do GPS. But speed is relative to water conditions anyway, what was impressive was the 70 rpm increase - that right there alone is proof the wedge gets the bow up, allowing the engine to spin faster and make a bit more power. Don’t forget we stacked 2 wedges together- just one wedge alone would not have yielded any difference since they are the same pitch. Your new 160 is a different ski so hard to compare- but since you have trim- yes I would imagine that this would be similar (probably a bit less) pitch to your ski at full trim. I run Sunoco 93 with k100g+. My ski may sit as long as a week between use so I always use the fuel conditioner to avoid phase separation. I’ve refilled on the water with the ValveTec 90 they sell. I changed my filter bag once, and removed the chamber over it. Does the 160 have the giant chamber as well? My filter looked like new. Yeah sadly unless the pump was mounted outside of the tank, the only way to screen the fuel before it enters the pump is with that style filter. But..the fuel also cools the pump, as I’m sure you know pretty much every fuel injected vehicle these days has a filter identical to this..to change there’s lots of plastic fairings to take off- the manual tells you to take airbox off too but that’s not necessary…also your airbox different on the 160..still in the back right?? I actually have not seen a new Ultra 160 in person. try the K100..it’s a miracle product (and no I’m not paid to say that lol but I wish I was based on the amount I spend on it)
Yes I put the adjustable latches on my seat. Everyone that sees it and rides it loves it. I know all manufacturers went to the in tank filters. I get it. Much cheaper during manufacturing. The 15f has a stainless bracket that holds this comparably massive canister filter. The parts are more expensive and the extra time to install at the factory. But the 2005 15f just keeps going! I did something to hopefully make accessing the pump and filter on the Ultra easier. Hard to explain. I will send some pictures. Airbox is at the back of the engine so getting to the Ultra 160 fuel pump is easy. Getting it out of the tank sux! If they made the hole in the tank an ¹/8 or maybe ¹/⁴ inch bigger I think it would come right out. In my mind I think what you have with two stacked wedges is better than a wedge and then trim. You are basically giving the entire stream of water one immediate change of direction. Mine gets the initial change and then gets another change thru the trim nozzle. I think that is less efficient. Not saying I don't want my trim! But I can see greater efficiency with what you have. With that much greater thickness did you adjust the steering cable at both ends? I would be afraid you dont have many threads engaged on the connection at the back without balancing the adjustment. You have given me an idea on my Ultra 160 tho. I may stack 2 wedges on mine also. My concern is further unscrewing the trim connector. But I am thinking that brass lower arm will be the key. I may cut it in half. Drill it and tap threads in both pieces then use a stainless threaded shaft to put it back together. Then I can adjust the trim there and not the cable. I did something similar to my old SXI Pro that I added a manual trim to. Thanks for the videos and replies.
It seems the consumption is very competitive with the 310 lol I would almost say it’s the same- the benefit would obviously be the N/A ski requires less maintenance
we have 1.8 yamahas, one supercharged and one non-supercharged. they actually run about the same MPG's as well. anywhere between 4 and 4.5 mpg. We cruise around 50-55, which is near the top speed on the non-supercharged yamaha. they are rated for 13 gph and 18 gph, so if you run them at top speed there will be higher fuel burn...and of course premium fuel is usually 50-70 cents more per gallon.
Super cool. Thank you. You make these mods look so easy.
It is easy!
Nice gains! I have yet to test my ski after I installed the pump wedge on my Yamaha. I need to get on calm water to test.
I’m a big fan of the wedges! The Kawis you need to get more hull out of the water to go faster, with yours the hull is pretty light as it is- should buy you some speed on the top end id imagine or atleast get the bow up a bit at low speed
Thanks for the video. Made installation easy. The worst part was getting the bucket bolts back in at the end. (I didn’t remove step either). Happy riding!
You try it out on the water yet? Makes a major difference!’
@@JDsWaterWorldnot yet. Looking forward to it!
Wow, I just learned something, nice hack that made quite a difference.
This wedge mostly applies to the older LX- for the new generation both Riva and Kspeed sell a ride plate that all get you around 3 mph+!!
Simple upgrade.. it's a must
Would you see Similar gains on a 300x or 310? My limited understanding says that being the wedge is behind the nose cone it would have a different effect than your traditional trim adjustment you get on the 300 and 310
Yes the 300/310 you are trimming the exit nozzle whereas the wedge changes the angle of the mid section of the jet pump completely- changing your neutral position to a positive rise position. Gains, not as much, but the wedge does help immensely with getting the bow of the ski up at low speed on the 310
Is your steering not miles out now? You need to adjust that after fitting a 2nd wedge.
No, Just a few turns on the quick connect fitting to compensate and steering is aligned
I bought a Kawi pump wedge for my 2023 STX 160X, can't wait to install it to see and feel the difference. How come your ultra already had a pump wedge on it? Should I consider getting a second wedge to increase to 4° up angle???
Thanks
Love your channel
Eric in Quebec, Canada
So the Ultra LX comes with a wedge already installed from the factory- since it doesn’t have any trim. I do not know if the 148mm pump on the STX will be able to accommodate 2 wedges like this..really this was an experiment to stack them like that and turned out to work really well.
Can you verify which wedge it is for that ski. The 250/260/lx right?
Yes, that one!
Damn. I think I want one for my LX. The main reason I got the ultra was for the choppy days on Lake Erie. You think I'll lose any hook from the ride plate? Also what grease are you using?
I think this skis only flaw was that it doesn’t have trim…but the wedge gets the bow trimmed up big time which really helps in the chop. The ski would theoretically launch better and corner better with the bow down, but let’s be honest, nobody is buying this ski for the buoy course lol. You saw me launch in the video no cavitation or anything. I think the ski is heavy enough that it stays hooked up pretty good. Corrosion Block marine grease- great product.
Thanks! Keep up the good work!
What other mods did you do to it or are you doing 59 just with the wedge thanks for the video I have a 2023 ultra xls 160 53 mph
At this point I just have the wedge on the ski and that alone allowed us to hit 59mph. I do have a resin fuel rail and phenolic intake manifold spacer from Kawi Performance that I will be installing soon! I expect 60mph+ once those parts are installed!
Also, what white canopy are those? Do you take them down regularly? I am asking because I had lost/broken 4 Colemans. Thanks.
Hahah well the white ones I have are shot too and need to be replaced..they are the “professional folding canopies” from Home Depot but yeah they both basically suck
Never thought an Ultra160 could get that close to 60mph... Not much slower than an STX160.
Back to the fuel pump and fuel filter. Did you get your fuel pump out in one piece? I had to separate the top part off. The STX I can turn and rotate and tilt and get it out in one piece. The Ultra pump would not come out no matter what I did. The ultra filter is probably 3 times Larger than the STX. I don't know what is going on with the gas I have been buying that could have plugged that ultra filter up. Kawasaki could have made removing that pump a lot easier.
Did you loosen the top deck assembly and remove the access panel?
Oh yes. Like the STX (which is much easier). Had it lifted up and access panel removed. It just did not want to come out otherwise.
Guessing it was just me!
If they are identical, could you stack another stock wedge on top of the other stock wedge?
Yea you could- KP is actually coming out with some new wedges that will eliminate the need to stack the wedges
@@JDsWaterWorld thanks JD!
Hi Jd, would such mode effect warranty, or should I wait until warranty is over?
The pump wedge? Ah your dealer probably wouldn’t even know it’s there. I don’t see how this would void a warranty, unless you over torqued bolts and stripped out the pump housing or something
@@JDsWaterWorld thanks.
Hi JD, 27 ft. lb. Is this different from the 310LX? I only put 12 ft. lb. Please let me know so I can adjust, thanks.
Well I just looked back at the manual…they state “pump mounting bolts, 27ft lb, then now I see they have “pump mounting bolts, outlet” 14 ft lb…so I am now thinking maybe it was supposed to be 14 ft lb, not 27. Let me confirm and I’ll let you know. I have an older manual and it’s hard to tell…
It’s supposed to be 14 Ft lb for the LX, I just fixed the video! Thanks for catching that!
wow, +3mph and +100rpm. good mod. cheap too I'm guessing?
Yeah, the wedge is under $100 shipped! No engine mods, no tune, no permanent changes to the ski!
Where can you purchase that wedge?
Email Kawi Performance and ask them about the 3 degree wedge for the Ultra LX- we have been finalizing some testing to make sure the wedge does not interfere with the reverse bucket
The RPM increase should be accurate but no speed recordings before and after with GPS? I imagine it is faster but could the ski's new bow attitude change how the speedo wheel is spinning?
Good that you saw increase. Adding the wedge to my 23 Ultra 160 LXS did not increase speed that I can tell so far. I assume trimmed up with the wedge is similar to your 2 wedges. I have not been on the Ultra much recently. Vacation had lots of other people on it while I was stuck on the boat a lot! Then I assume my fuel filter needs replacing as the ski starting running poorly. Just like 160s when filter needs changing. Utra torn apart Awaiting filter now. Changing fuel filter with Kawasaki has gotten progressively worse. Old 15s had external filter. Easy. Later 15s internal filter but easy to get to. STX 160s were bad I thought after the 15s. BUT the Ultra is far worse and should not be!
I am changing my gas vendor. Used Amoco 93 then BP for 30 years. NEVER changed a fuel filter in anything. I have been buying Phillips Ethanol Free 90 pretty exclusively for 3 years from one station. That is all my Ultra has had. I will now be changing my 7th filter in the last 2 years. 5 on STX 160s. One boat. One Ultra. Have you changed your Ultra fuel filter yet? My old 2005 15f has original fuel filter! I added Kawi Performance external filter to 160LX. About to install their larger bag filter on my 160X. See how it holds up.
Sorry. Didn't mean to hijack your wedge video. Lamenting the fact I am unable to ride my Ultra right now and pondering solutions to my filter issues! The old Ultra LX is a great looking ski. You are exactly right, it should have had trim years ago!
Hahah no worries man thanks for taking the time to comment. I always love any Kawasaki talk! Nope, did not do GPS. But speed is relative to water conditions anyway, what was impressive was the 70 rpm increase - that right there alone is proof the wedge gets the bow up, allowing the engine to spin faster and make a bit more power. Don’t forget we stacked 2 wedges together- just one wedge alone would not have yielded any difference since they are the same pitch. Your new 160 is a different ski so hard to compare- but since you have trim- yes I would imagine that this would be similar (probably a bit less) pitch to your ski at full trim. I run Sunoco 93 with k100g+. My ski may sit as long as a week between use so I always use the fuel conditioner to avoid phase separation. I’ve refilled on the water with the ValveTec 90 they sell. I changed my filter bag once, and removed the chamber over it. Does the 160 have the giant chamber as well? My filter looked like new. Yeah sadly unless the pump was mounted outside of the tank, the only way to screen the fuel before it enters the pump is with that style filter. But..the fuel also cools the pump, as I’m sure you know pretty much every fuel injected vehicle these days has a filter identical to this..to change there’s lots of plastic fairings to take off- the manual tells you to take airbox off too but that’s not necessary…also your airbox different on the 160..still in the back right?? I actually have not seen a new Ultra 160 in person. try the K100..it’s a miracle product (and no I’m not paid to say that lol but I wish I was based on the amount I spend on it)
Do you have the adjustable seat on your new ski?
Yes I put the adjustable latches on my seat. Everyone that sees it and rides it loves it. I know all manufacturers went to the in tank filters. I get it. Much cheaper during manufacturing. The 15f has a stainless bracket that holds this comparably massive canister filter. The parts are more expensive and the extra time to install at the factory. But the 2005 15f just keeps going! I did something to hopefully make accessing the pump and filter on the Ultra easier. Hard to explain. I will send some pictures. Airbox is at the back of the engine so getting to the Ultra 160 fuel pump is easy. Getting it out of the tank sux! If they made the hole in the tank an ¹/8 or maybe ¹/⁴ inch bigger I think it would come right out.
In my mind I think what you have with two stacked wedges is better than a wedge and then trim. You are basically giving the entire stream of water one immediate change of direction. Mine gets the initial change and then gets another change thru the trim nozzle. I think that is less efficient. Not saying I don't want my trim! But I can see greater efficiency with what you have. With that much greater thickness did you adjust the steering cable at both ends? I would be afraid you dont have many threads engaged on the connection at the back without balancing the adjustment. You have given me an idea on my Ultra 160 tho. I may stack 2 wedges on mine also. My concern is further unscrewing the trim connector. But I am thinking that brass lower arm will be the key. I may cut it in half. Drill it and tap threads in both pieces then use a stainless threaded shaft to put it back together. Then I can adjust the trim there and not the cable. I did something similar to my old SXI Pro that I added a manual trim to.
Thanks for the videos and replies.
What gph are you getting on this ski compared to the superchager?
It seems the consumption is very competitive with the 310 lol I would almost say it’s the same- the benefit would obviously be the N/A ski requires less maintenance
we have 1.8 yamahas, one supercharged and one non-supercharged. they actually run about the same MPG's as well. anywhere between 4 and 4.5 mpg. We cruise around 50-55, which is near the top speed on the non-supercharged yamaha. they are rated for 13 gph and 18 gph, so if you run them at top speed there will be higher fuel burn...and of course premium fuel is usually 50-70 cents more per gallon.
Can this mod be done on the STX 160X?
This particular wedge, no, but please give Kawi Performance a call- I do believe they sell one for the STX 160. Tell them JD sent you 😎
Great info, thank you! Are you able to notice different fuel consumption, what would 6 degrees do?