Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[homebrew]

I'm debating between the american custom headpipe, which is a stock HD pipe with the cats removed, or the V&H Power Duals. I'm thinking a pipe is a pipe, and their may not be a big difference, but I wanted to solicit opinions.

I don't really care if the bike looks stock or not, the power dual looks a little nicer.
V&H ~$430
American Custom- $299-$130 for your original, total $169.

[heatseeker]

I think the majority on this site have gone with fullsac stage one or two. Good performance parts at an affordable price.

[gg]

Beg to differ, I don't think "most people" have not gone to X pipe replacement header. If u r looking for total stealth, get the cat free hd headpipe assembly, Fullsac insert baffles for your stock CVO mufflers and Mastertune software from Steve at Fullsac to reprogram your ECM.

[Wheelsnkeels]

Many of us chose the V&H Power Duals headpipes there are about as many opinions as there are members? Happy Hunting.

One consideration is O2 sensor placement on 2010's. The factory located the sensors low on the pipe to be behind the cat. With no cat the optimum location is closer to the head as in the 2009 pipes, This is the location used by the V&H Power Duals 2010 version.

Another consideration is the tuner you'll choose if you choose an "Auto tune model" you will need the larger 18mm bungs of the 2009 pipes. If you use a TTS or SEST that isn't an issue as they can use either style factory O2 sensor.

[North Star]

I'm debating between the american custom headpipe, which is a stock HD pipe with the cats removed, or the V&H Power Duals. I'm thinking a pipe is a pipe, and their may not be a big difference, but I wanted to solicit opinions.

I don't really care if the bike looks stock or not, the power dual looks a little nicer.
V&H ~$430
American Custom- $299-$130 for your original, total $169.

I guess your question is whats the difference....Fullsac's x pipe (ceramic coated stepped header- catless of course), claims 4 hp more that a catless stock headpipe, so it would appear as though a pipe isn't just a pipe- I figure the stepped design, the x chamber design, and the cooler flow from the ceramic coating must make the difference.

I was going to go with the V&H Power Duals as well, but ended up going with Fullsac, mainly because of the ceramic coating, and because it was cheaper. Just something else to consider.

[homebrew]

Blah, I ordered fullsacs xpipe. All these people using it can't be wrong. Since there are no 2011 maps yet, I'll just have to use the TTS to try to make one for now.

I did not go with the fullsac pipes, I'm waiting for the american customs.

[rheiner]

Blah, I ordered fullsacs xpipe. All these people using it can't be wrong. Since there are no 2011 maps yet, I'll just have to use the TTS to try to make one for now.

I did not go with the fullsac pipes, I'm waiting for the american customs.

I think it's best to wait a week (or whatever it takes)for Steve Cole to get the 2011 calibrations done on Mastertune before putting the x-pipe in your 2011. But the fullsac baffles shouldn't be a problem.

[Wheelsnkeels]

I'm debating between the american custom headpipe, which is a stock HD pipe with the cats removed, or the V&H Power Duals. I'm thinking a pipe is a pipe, and their may not be a big difference, but I wanted to solicit opinions.

I don't really care if the bike looks stock or not, the power dual looks a little nicer.
V&H ~$430
American Custom- $299-$130 for your original, total $169.

Never saw these American Custom before interesting feature with adjustability curious how it will affect the performance when adding the restrictive baffle back in?

A+ on versatility
A+ on price point
A+ on Gaurantee

Very similar approach to Fullsac stock pipe mod approach with a diferent twist 

[homebrew]

I think it's best to wait a week (or whatever it takes)for Steve Cole to get the 2011 calibrations done on Mastertune before putting the x-pipe in your 2011. But the fullsac baffles shouldn't be a problem.

Really? The way I understood it(and I could be completely wrong) was that you can change a headpipe or mufflers and the O2 sensors would be able to accommodate the change. If you go to a stage 1 a/c...different story, now you really need to re-map.

My initial plan was to just replace the headpipe for now, then wait for the new maps before I do the a/c and exhaust.

[Wheelsnkeels]

Really? The way I understood it(and I could be completely wrong) was that you can change a headpipe or mufflers and the O2 sensors would be able to accommodate the change. If you go to a stage 1 a/c...different story, now you really need to re-map.

My initial plan was to just replace the headpipe for now, then wait for the new maps before I do the a/c and exhaust.

You can change them all on closed loop (07 and up) O2 controlled bikes without reprogramming. They will return to 14.7 to 1 the EPA standard. Headpipe (no cat) slip ons or duals your call and High Flow Air cleaner without reprogramming.

That said even a stock bike will benefit by reprogramming the ECM to a richer mixture but "necessary" No!

But you sell a lot more tuners if you tell the old story that was accurate on carb and pre 07 Delphi ECM systems.
You are very likely to find many people on the forums better trained than the dealers
 

[HOGMIKE]

Many of us chose the V&H Power Duals headpipes there are about as many opinions as there are members? Happy Hunting.

One consideration is O2 sensor placement on 2010's. The factory located the sensors low on the pipe to be behind the cat. With no cat the optimum location is closer to the head as in the 2009 pipes, This is the location used by the V&H Power Duals 2010 version.

Another consideration is the tuner you'll choose if you choose an "Auto tune model" you will need the larger 18mm bungs of the 2009 pipes. If you use a TTS or SEST that isn't an issue as they can use either style factory O2 sensor.

Correction: OR adjustment: The O2 sensors are located UPSTREAM of the cat in the '10 and later. They are now heated and different size from earlier years.
IMHO, best bang for the buck is re-cored stock CVO mufflers, TTS mastertune, Fullsac x-pipe. Got about 10000 miles on this setup now and could not be happier!
Well, maybe happier if I had a 2011 in Green!
 

[flyer]

My experience with exhaust on my 10 SE SG is this way.  I too was concerned with mapping and mixture, etc.  Most boards have posters that claim the ecm needs to be retuned for anything, but in conversations with the Harley Dealer in Oregon which also provides SERT dyno tuning, Latus Motors, we resolved that the Harley factory tune and its adaptability would be enough for headpipes and baffle change.  The original SE air cleaner on the SG is a free flow AC anyway.

So I installed 09 headpipes without cats, I purchased from Drag Specialties a kit that had the 02 adapters and wiring harness extension, bought a set of fullsac 1 3/4 baffles and put it all in.

Wow, it runs great with no popping or any negatives. Surging and other drivability issues also disappeared. To be sure I then took the bike to the dealer and the service manager test rode the bike.  He pulled in every gear and looked for any hesitation or issues and found none.  Why I wanted his 'blessing' so to speak is I didn't want to end up with a fried engine and no warranty.  His position was that a tune was not needed for warranty issues and it ran so well that tuning it would only produce a very modest gain, one that would be difficult to notice. 

[mjb765]

While some opinions say that it does not "need" a re-tune, you may notice better throttle response and for sure you will have lower operating temps after a good tune.

[Wheelsnkeels]

Correction: OR adjustment: The O2 sensors are located UPSTREAM of the cat in the '10 and later. They are now heated and different size from earlier years.

Absolutely correct my bad  

[Tabatha]

Consider these - they have proven dyno results ! :   
Details
2010-2011 Harley-Davidson FLH / FLT Bagger motorcycles: D&D 2 into 1 Boss Fat Cat Exhaust pipe.

PIPE OPTIONS
- Black Pipes
* 556-31B - With back cut tip
* 556-31L - With slant cut tip

- Chrome Pipes
* 556-32B - With back cut tip
* 556-32L - With slant cut tip

Note: (Slant cut works with the CVO Extended bag models)