Jet Ski Performance Kits Explained [Video]

The main idea behind installing performance kits on a jet ski is to increase its performance and handling. These kits pack expertly selected and tested aftermarket performance parts that work together to get the most out of the ski. They are designed and marketed by the most well-known PWC tuner companies like Riva Racing and Worx Racing.

If you want to find out more about these kits and their advantages, this post is for you.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

What is the Performance Kit on a Jet Ski?

When it comes to jet ski tuning, the amount and variety of parts available can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to determine which ones might work well together.

Poorly selected performance components won’t get the maximum out of the machine, or worse, they might even cause damage.

Therefore, the various components must be skillfully matched, which requires a lot of expertise and testing.

Let’s face it, that would be a lot of guesswork for the average rider, often with far from optimal results.

This is where performance kits come into play.

Jet ski performance kits are complete packages that contain different aftermarket performance parts and tunes carefully selected by professionals. The right combination of these elements ensures the best possible performance increase and reliability. Therefore, riders no longer have to gamble by selecting the parts themselves!

These kits are designed and marketed by the largest PWC tuners like Riva Racing or Worx Racing, whose name alone is a guarantee of quality.

Besides thorough engineering, these part combinations are extensively tested on the Dyno and on the water as well.

What Does a Performance Kit Include?

Jet ski performance kits include tunes and aftermarket parts which are designed to improve the performance and the handling of the ski. The simpler kits typically come with “bolt-on” components, while the more advanced ones require more serious engine modifications.

As a rule of thumb, these kits are designed for specific jet ski models, so they are not interchangeable.

They are typically labeled as Stage 1, 2, 3, (rarely 4), where the larger number covers more parts and greater performance.

The exact content of these kits may vary depending on their level, the manufacturer, and the model of the jet ski.

This means Stage 1 on a Sea-Doo Spark is not the same as Stage 1 on a supercharged machine.

Let’s drill into the details and talk about the different tiers in detail!

Stage 1 PWC Performance Kits

Labeled as Stage 1, entry-level PWC performance kits typically only include an ECU override module that can be used for reflashing the ECU.

This easy modification is intended to reprogram the memory of the main computer (ECU) of the ski, which removes the factory speed limiters.

This results in a more responsive throttle response, faster acceleration, and a higher top speed.

In contrast, more advanced Stage 1 kits come standard with more bells and whistles like a performance air intake system, engine breather kit (a.k.a. catch can), and a free flow exhaust system.

The main idea behind these additions is to let the engine breathe better, which is necessary due to the increase in performance.

Stage 2 PWC Performance Kits

Most entry-level Stage 2 PWC kits are almost the same as their Stage 1 siblings, except they come standard with a matching impeller.

This is not a coincidence, since a simple ECU reflash often only provides optimal performance together with a new impeller.

Stock impellers often cannot handle the increased engine power and they are prone to cavitating or just not delivering the full performance.

Impellers in Stage 2 kits are often specifically designed to work optimally together with the other performance parts in the kit. This translates to increased acceleration, reduced cavitation, and maximized thrust in the pump.

Besides an aftermarket impeller, Stage 2 kits often pack an engine wastegate block-off kit or an engine cooling upgrade kit for higher efficiency.

What’s more, the most advanced ones feature a performance intake grate, ride plate, and a pair of sponsons.

They can improve the handling of the ski, which makes operation smoother and easier.

Stage 3-4 PWC Performance Kits

Stage 3-4 PWC performance kits are the most advanced packages available.

They come with all of Stages 1-2 as well as some more complicated tunes and aftermarket engine parts like:

·         Fuel injector kit

·         Intake manifold upgrade kit

·         Camshaft

·         Valve retainer upgrades

·         Supercharger impeller

·         Supercharger shaft

·         Pump seal kit

·         High-flow billet fuel rail

·         Fuel pressure regulator kit

Unlike Stage 1-2 kits, which require simpler changes on the ski, installing these parts means a more serious engine modification.

Achievable Performance Increase?

Depending on the level of the kit and the features of the jet ski, the available performance enhancement of different PWC Stage kits varies greatly.

If you are looking for some hard numbers, a Stage 1 kit can increase the top speed by about 7-15 mph, while Stage 3-4 kits can boost the speed by roughly 20-25 mph. Note that these numbers refer to high-end supercharged jet skis. On non-supercharged models, you can expect much less power and a lower speed increase as well.

As a reference, here are the claimed performance data of some Riva Performance kits:

How Much is a PWC Performance Kit?

The prices of PWC performance kits start at $300 and go up to a whopping $6,000+. To be more precise, average prices for a full-size supercharged jet ski are as follows:

·         Stage 1: $1,000-$1,500

·         Stage 2: $1,500- $4,000

·         Stage 3: $3,700-$6,000

·         Stage 4: $6,000+

Please consider these as ballpark figures, as the prices vary greatly depending on the content of the kits.

Who Sells Jet Ski Performance Kits?

If you are looking for a jet ski performance kit, you may want to check the offerings of the largest PWC performance specialists. The most well-known providers are arguably Riva Racing and Worx Racing, which markets their kits after being developed and tested in-house.

Takeaways

As the name suggests, jet ski performance kits are designed to increase performance. Even though their primary goal is to increase engine power and pump thrust, certain kits can also improve handling.

These aftermarket modifications support each other to get the most out of the machine.

Each of these kits contains model-specific performance parts, which are carefully designed and combined by experienced jet ski tuner professionals.

They sell these tunes and performance parts in different tiers, which are referred to as Stages. The most common configurations are Stage 1, 2, and 3, but for certain models, Stage 4 kits are also available.

A lower number means fewer parts and keeps the ski in more stock condition. A higher number means more modifications and higher performance, which unfortunately doesn’t come cheap.

The prices of these kits start at $300 and climb up to $6000+ depending on the content of the kit.

In a nutshell, the typical contents of the different Stages are as follows:

Stage 1: ECU override module (sometimes: performance air intake system, engine breather kit, free flow exhaust)

Stage 2: Stage 1 plus matching impeller (sometimes: engine cooling upgrade, intake grate, ride plate, sponsons)

Stage 3-4: Stage 1-2 plus more serious engine mods like a fuel injector kit, intake manifold upgrade kit, valve retainer upgrades, supercharger upgrades (impeller, shaft), pump seal kit, and fuel pressure regulator kit.

Note that these kits are always model-specific, meaning that they are different for each jet ski. Also, the year of manufacture often matters since a model can be refreshed every few years.

Therefore, double-check your ski’s specifications before you invest in a performance kit!