Topic: best pipes for performance (Read 3011 times)

zsch21 · « **on:** March 06, 2010, 11:04:25 PM »

Hey y'all,
I'm at bike week now (cold but good) and took delivery of my new SESG CC just before coming down, but was not able to bring it with

I spoke with the Rhinehart rep here about changing out the stock pipes and they offer a pretty good deal at the shows (Daytona and Sturgis) almost $1,000 less than what the stealership wanted for a similar package - they recommend Thunder Max to replace the stock ECU and charge around $1,500 including installation (sounded decent on the 96" models) - the dealership wanted $2,300 but said they would dyno it too and that was with the Harley fuel management deal.

The question I have regarding pipes is not what looks the fattest, or what smells the best, but what actually performs the best - not even sure if this information is out there but everyone here seems to be pretty well informed. For me I'd rather have more go than show. I don't want the loudest or fattest pipes available, just want whichever model will help my 110 put the most HP to the rear wheel as possible. The two that two that I've been looking at are Rhinehart and V&H.

Comments are appreciated (positive and negative).

thanks - brian

hd-dude · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:08:46 PM »

A 2-1 will typically perform better than duals. Probably the best performing pipe for the HD engine is the Thunder Header. It is loud but works very well. Next to that would be the D&D fatcat with a performance baffle. The stock ECM works very well and in combination with the TTS Mastertune you will have a great package.

Diamondback · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:15:40 PM »

BLU Bike · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2010, 07:27:08 AM »

I have used 2-1 starting with the White bros E series and like the sound and love the performance, had Supertrapp Supermeg on my RK and my wife has it on here SG. With the bags on the SESG I personally feel it would not look good with a 2-1 so I asked the guy that runs the dyno at my local shop. He recommends coring out the CC, installing Full Sac, supertuner and changing the air cleaner he takes parts from a Zipper air cleaner and parts from the screaming eagle and makes his own filter. He also said that the 50mm throttle body limits performance (design and size issues) so change to the 58mm throttle body. He showed me dyno runs from both without the throttle body and with the 58mm throttle body, the 50mm with the other changes produced average of 94hp and 103tq with the 58mm 103hp and 120tq. I haven't heard a bike with the exhaust changes but clearing out the CC and the Full Sac's have to improve stock sound.

I've seen some posts about the Full Sac but I haven't caught any dyno #'s yet, once I get my break in done and get the dyno sheets showing before and after I'll post them. Does anyone have dyno #'s from changes? If so please post.

grc · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2010, 10:36:15 AM »

Re: best pipes for performance

Just as is the case with most mods, the answer to that question is that there is no one pipe that is best for performance. First you have to define performance; do you want what will give you the broadest power band, the highest torque peak, the highest horsepower peak, etc. ? I'm not aware of any exhaust that does it all.

If you want the broadest power band, which is the smartest way to go with a bagger, keeping the stock 2 into 1 into 2 system and just recoring the mufflers and removing the cat is always a good choice. The 2 into 1 pipes mentioned by hd-dude will give you the next best option, and the so-called true dual pipes would be the last choice.

JMHO - Jerry

JCZ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2010, 11:10:26 AM »

If volumne isn't an issue, I'd go with Thunderheader if you're after the top end torque and horepower. Besides the fact that it's so loud.......it is about the best sounding exhaust out there, also.

I run that exhaust on many bikes over the years...........that's why I can't hear now.

Badger Mike · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:35:53 AM »

For optimizing performance I've been told by almost everyone that Thunderheader is the best by far.

zsch21 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:17:07 PM »

grc brings up a valid point. By performance I would want a broad power band. I read some posts about guys drilling out the cat converter - have any of you guys removed your cat on the SESG? What type of results, if any, did that produce? Anybody used fullsac on your SESG - how do you like them?

michaelbmenaker · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:24:47 PM »

Quote from: zsch21 on March 10, 2010, 10:17:07 PM

grc brings up a valid point. By performance I would want a broad power band. I read some posts about guys drilling out the cat converter - have any of you guys removed your cat on the SESG? What type of results, if any, did that produce? Anybody used fullsac on your SESG - how do you like them?

I had fullsac do the CAT removal and use their 2.0" baffles. With only those changes, a SE (Pro) ST and a dyno tune I got pretty decent numbers. Dyno chart attached...

RedDevil · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2010, 11:08:56 PM »

Quote from: michaelbmenaker on March 10, 2010, 10:24:47 PM

I had fullsac do the CAT removal and use their 2.0" baffles. With only those changes, a SE (Pro) ST and a dyno tune I got pretty decent numbers. Dyno chart attached...

Those are typical numbers for the mods you did...

Blazo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2010, 11:45:55 PM »

Quote from: zsch21 on March 06, 2010, 11:04:25 PM

<snip>put the most HP to the rear wheel as possible<snip>

If you are strictly after performance, you should go with 2 into 1 pipes. Check out RB Racing pipes -- http://www.rbracing-rsr.com. This mom and pop shop makes pipes for Nascar and Formula One cars as well as record holding Harleys. I have a set of LSRs on my 95" Road King making 98 hp and 104 tq and I like 'em a lot. I would jump on another set of RB Racing pipes for the SERG3 but they aren't available in a dual configuration and I don't want an empty hole under the left saddlebag. The LSR 2-1 are loud, like a pissed off Nascar, but not as loud as a Thunder Header. They also make a 2-1 pipe called the Black Hole. Don't have personal knowledge of them but they are supposed to give you great power and they are quiet to boot.

JCZ · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2010, 05:24:28 AM »

Quote from: zsch21 on March 10, 2010, 10:17:07 PM

grc brings up a valid point. By performance I would want a broad power band. I read some posts about guys drilling out the cat converter - have any of you guys removed your cat on the SESG? What type of results, if any, did that produce? Anybody used fullsac on your SESG - how do you like them?

106HP and 111 TQ with cat removed, 1.75 Fullsac baffles (I'd go with 2.0 if I had it to do again) and Fueling Rivera 574 cams. No head work....stock heads. I am very, very happy with what I got especially considering how little I spent.

My dyno sheet can be seen here..... http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=44545.0

rlavigna · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:19:17 AM »

Hey JC, What is your reason why you would go with the 2" instead of the 1.75" if you had to do it over? Sound? Performance?

Quote from: JCZ on March 12, 2010, 05:24:28 AM

106HP and 111 TQ with cat removed, 1.75 Fullsac baffles (I'd go with 2.0 if I had it to do again) and Fueling Rivera 574 cams. No head work....stock heads. I am very, very happy with what I got especially considering how little I spent.

My dyno sheet can be seen here..... http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=44545.0

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