So about this snorkel

I'm wondering about the Snorkel and what it's there for. Is it to reduce noise? If it is to reduce air flow why nor make the intake or filter smaller? Is there a benefit or liability to removing it?

Just wondering...

 

Guess you mean the snorkel at the top of the air cleaner box?

I'm sure it does help with turbulence when air enters the area before going through the filter, so I'd leave it in there. Don't think there'd be any performance gain by removing it.

 

There is a liability to removing it - you will loose power.

The airbox on the XJ's (and most motorcycle airboxes) are not just passive holders / guides for filtering air. They have a resonate frequency which depends largely on the internal volume and the cross section and length of the opening (in this case the snorkle tube). That frequency is tuned such that it matches the frequency of the intake valves opening at the RPM where the bike makes peak power, and as a result packs even more air into the cylinder.

A properly designed airbox (like the one that comes on XJ's) essentially acts as a passive super charging system, within a limited RPM range. That's one reason pods really aren't such a great idea.