First of all I'm a newbie too. I bought a sxi pro and thought i was going to make a freestyle ski out of it. I'm not saying its not possible but I would say sell and buy a SJ before you sink in tons of money if thats what your after. I personally like the looks of a kawi better and like the way they ride better in chop or at higher speeds so I'm sticking with my sxi for the next year or two until my skills need a sj to go further, (I'v only been riding for two years) With that being said I'm currently doing basic mods so I can start doing some basic freestyle stuff and hopefully pull off a barrel roll by the end of the summer. Here is my best suggestion for a freeride play setup
Hull-R&D intake grate, R&D ride plate (or stock w/d cut for better jumping), 9/17 big hub impeller, bored nozzle, tubbie two's, footholds, quick steer plate, pole spring, and a bilge pump. blowsion hull extensions kick ass for handling but I cut mine off to go the freestyle route. With the R&D plate and those it was on rails!!!
Motor-Factory limited pipe(must), Milled stock head, one size up on the bore(save bore for more rebuilds), if your buying carbs go for a bigger single(tuning is easier and cheaper), timing advance plate, msd enhancer, and a rec port job. Call ZForce motorsports for your porting/milling work, guy is super honest and helpful in determining what you need done with your ski and his prices are really good. His rep is also VERY good if you drop his name anywhere. He actually talked me out of port work since I dont plan on keeping this ski. The expence wouldnt be worth while on my ski but to each their own. my motor dosent need repair though, just more kick.
sorry for the long post, Just my .02
