300/440/550 tech question 550sx(2x)

[greenmachine]

Looking for some help or input. I have 2 Kawasaki 550's both are about the same, they both have reed valve engines,stainless impellers,mariner ride plates,aftermarket bars,and trigger throttle. the difference's are one has is JS hull the other is a SX. 0 deg bar vs 7 deg. top loader intake vs open mariner style.The problem I have is the js out performs the sx by a lot. The js carves up turns and the sx takes a football field to turn. I put a jetlyne impeller and 0 deg bars on the sx over the winter. and it got worse. any ideas? could it be the impeller/nozzle? nozzles move same on both skis. ski has great thrust also.

 

[Pnutt]

that is weird the sx should carve harder with the sponsons but it also could be the ride plate mine has two drop fins on the ride plate that keep it from spinning out. it is a west coast custom ride plate with two fins running from almost the front of the plate to the back and it helps alot. riding style has alot to do with it though.

 

[elmol]

The style of ride plate will make a huge difference in steering so I would start by checking if they look the same, if not try swapping them. A toploader intake will change handling as well, I would try swapping intake grates and see if that makes a difference. When you changed impellers did you silicone the pump back in, if not that will cause alot of cavitation and poor performance.

 

[greenmachine]

Hey thanks for the replies I have been away for the weekend just got back. ride plates are exact same(extended mariner ride plate) I have a extra jet pump for stock SX. my plane was to swap it out and try again. When i put the pump in with stainless impeller i used bathroom silicon(my bad) it fell right off first ride. so I smeared good marine grade silicon around pump without removing. that might be part of my problem. Hope to tear down and reseal or swap and be back on water by Wednesday. I will update with results. Thanks again.

 

[greenmachine]

OK just up-dating the forum so I removed the jet pump inspected wear ring,impeller,and air gap all looked ok. resealed pump housing to hull. swapped intake grate from js ski and took for a ride steering and handling still sucks. The only thing i know to do now is put the stock Sx pump back on a re-test. Maybee the Jetlyne impeller is just no good. does anybody here use one? I was regretting riding the sx it just not as fun.

 

[N2 H2O]

Are both the end caps on the sx hull still sealed to the hull well? Does it turn one way better than the other? The impeller should not effect turning.

 

[greenmachine]

turning is poor in both directions. hull end caps appear to be ok. Why do you say to check these? Do you think that my foam coul be saturated and riding low? The previous owerner is a freind of mine and he was very rough with it (thats why I changed the impeller to many rocks) Thanks again apreciate the imput this problem is getting anoying

 

[Mobile Chernobyl]

Try removing the rear sponsons for better slow-mid speed turning. I'm trying it on mine and also making a set of "real" side sponsons (the near vertical fins that stick down the side) to try and make my 440 more of a carving machine. I've heard in more than one thread I've read through that the side sponsons on the 440/550 only really help with higher speed stability - but hinder low-mid speed "fun". I could be totally wrong but I read it a bunch of times so i'm giving it a try lol.

 

[N2 H2O]

Sometimes the hull end caps will separate and cause it to turn very poorly to one side and make it impossible to ride at WOT, but since yours is the same both ways, I don't think that's the problem. Are the turn plates on both skis the same?


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[greenmachine]

Just in case anybody has the same problem I found the steering worked fine while out of the water but with the thrust from jet pump steering nozzle would not travel full length. steering cable outer sheath was broken and rubber hose at hard bend for hand pole would stretch causing little movement of jet nozzle. just swaped out the cable and ready to ride.

 

[markhozuna]

I have a Kawasaki. Js 400 and i got it with no fuel lines all connections look to be there a pic or if someone could. Call
Me and talk me though it that would. Be awesome