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[Midnight Rider]

Got the Fullsac X header installed and finished up yesterday, along with the Fullsac 2" cores.  Steve has done a great job with the X pipe...fitment is perfection, it comes with the good gaskets, and it seems to produce better power in the lower RPM ranges.  If you don't already know this, the X pipe is a stepped header, and I think this is one of the reasons it produces better TQ in the low range.  Installation was pretty easy on the header, other than putting the heat shields back on, and they are just a bitch...nothing to do with the header, just that I HATE fooling with the heat shields.

Grinding out the welds on the stock baffles was a bit of a bitch too, at least for me, but I got it done.  A Dremel tool got the job done, but it took me a while.  The trick I read on here about knocking the old baffle into the can a bit after getting the weld ground off helps...then you can smooth the left over weld out to make it easier to bang out the old cores.  Installing the Fullsac cores was relatively easy...did I mention I HATE heat shields?  Putting it all back together was straightforward, as was installing the TTS software and uploading the stock ECM program, then downloading the Fullsac program for my setup...just takes a little while to get the updates loaded and loading the drivers for the USB port so that it will talk to the ECM.  The canned MAP seems to work just fine...I did notice that on a cold start, it idles faster for a bit longer period of time than the stock program, but then settles into a nice idle speed.

Took it for a little 20 mile spin on some local roads, then up on the interstate...the sound is good...PLENTY loud enough to suit me with the 2" cores.  Steady speed is not loud, but when you get on it, the pipes definitely bark.  I probably could have been happy with the 1.75" cores, so we'll see after I get some miles on the bike and take the trip to Ribfest.

Thanks to Jim at Metal Dragon for getting all this together and shipped to me, along with sending me an e-mail with the newest MAP for my bike and this pipe configuration.  Now, it's off to Traxxion Dynamics to finish her up...

[Jock]

Took it for a little 20 mile spin on some local roads, then up on the interstate...the sound is good...PLENTY loud enough to suit me with the 2" cores.  Steady speed is not loud, but when you get on it, the pipes definitely bark.  I probably could have been happy with the 1.75" cores, so we'll see after I get some miles on the bike and take the trip to Ribfest.

Thanks to Jim at Metal Dragon for getting all this together and shipped to me, along with sending me an e-mail with the newest MAP for my bike and this pipe configuration.  Now, it's off to Traxxion Dynamics to finish her up...

Terry,

What did you run in the past regarding exhaust set up on other bikes to compare your current set up to others?

[Jerry/MD]

I probably could have been happy with the 1.75" cores, so we'll see after I get some miles on the bike and take the trip to Ribfest.

Noise level is a personal thing. I spent some time talking to Steve last year before I ordered the X-pipe and baffles. I originally had V&H True Duals with Classic Slip-Ons on my previous bike. It was too loud for me...and my BSR. He recommended the 1.75" cores. They are louder than stock...provide some bark on acceleration...but for me they are the right volume for long distance riding.

[HOGMIKE]

Noise level is a personal thing. I spent some time talking to Steve last year before I ordered the X-pipe and baffles. I originally had V&H True Duals with Classic Slip-Ons on my previous bike. It was too loud for me...and my BSR. He recommended the 1.75" cores. They are louder than stock...provide some bark on acceleration...but for me they are the right volume for long distance riding.

 
I may have lost a couple HP and TQ, but, the BSR does not complain of noise now with the 1.75" cores. I get some reflected noise when I pull the trailer, but, 10hr days are no problem.
One of my other bikes has the 2" cores, and Steve's "tru-dual" conversion, and it definitely barks!
 

[Midnight Rider]

Terry,

What did you run in the past regarding exhaust set up on other bikes to compare your current set up to others?

I had the Rinehart True Duals on my '06 SEUC with the standard cores...I think they were 2" if memory serves me.  They had a good sound, but on long hauls, my ears would be ringing at the end of the day.  I understand that the new Rinehart 4" slip on mufflers are not as loud as the old ones, but haven't heard them personally.  I would definitely NOT want the Fullsac 2.25 cores, as I think they would be too loud for my tastes.  The 2" have a nice tone...not obnoxious at all, and give you the best overall gain in TQ without being TOO loud.  I got all my parts from Jim at Metal Dragon, and he recommended the 2" cores, so I went with his recommendation.  I'm headed to Atlanta and back in the next few days, so I'll have a better idea of how they'll sound at steady 75-80 mph speeds.  On a scale of 1-10, with the old Rineharts being a 10, I'd say the 2" cores are a 6 or 7.  I did leave the fiberglass packing in the cans, surrounding the cores...they would definitely be too loud without the packing, IMO.  I'm a halfway believer in the "loud pipes save lives" school of thought, but I also think that pipes that are too loud do more harm to motorcycle riders in the long run, as more ordinances are getting passed every day limiting noise polution.   So, it's a balancing act, IMO....these pipes will be fine as long as one is reasonable in places where noise might be an issue for others.

[Jock]

Thanks for the comparison...

 

[SBB]

  I got all my parts from Jim at Metal Dragon, and he recommended the 2" cores, so I went with his recommendation. 

Just wanted to mention this.
We can buy parts from anyone we chose but buying parts from Jim is a lesson in how to get great service and great followup.
The west coast guys have it made being so close to Jim.
The rest of us have to suffer but we can still order parts from him.
I have had a Harley since 1977 and have never met anyone or any company that takes care of their customers like Jim.
SBB

[Midnight Rider]

True, Chip...I always like to give my business to those who are good people, and Jim is nothing but a great guy, and runs things the way everyone should...

[hd-dude]

Thanks Guys

[Cvostu]

 Jim.  I hope you dont get a big head from all of your fans on here.  .  But those who know you sure think every word of it is true.  Thanks for all you do for us.  

[ultrafxr]

Jim.  I hope you dont get a big head from all of your fans on here.  .  But those who know you sure think every word of it is true.  Thanks for all you do for us.  

x 2

[mjb765]

Jim.  I hope you dont get a big head from all of your fans on here.  .  But those who know you sure think every word of it is true.  Thanks for all you do for us.  

X3

[JCZ]

Jim.....who's Jim?

Nice review Terry, on the Fullsac stuff.   Like you, I have mixed feelings on the "volumn" of the exhaust....it can save your life, especially on a freeway when somebody that's texting drifts over in to your lane.  On the flip side....we have more and more government agencies passing laws limiting noise levels and much of that is due to obnoxious riders.

Having said that, I'll be the first to admit that I was one of those obnoxious riders for years when I was a youngster (tryin to impress somebody, I guess).  Now that I'm an oldster I prefer the more subdued sound as a general rule.  Just easier on the ears, can hear the stereo and got rid of the ringing in the ears at the end of a long day.

[Skillet]

I really do like the sound of the 2'' baffles with the X pipe. Gonna like it even better when the Wood's 555's go in.

JCZ, can't believe you are giving in to being an oldster already. I just go with I'm 60 and I'm serious.

[Midnight Rider]

Update:  As posted in another thread, I rode the bike over to Atlanta and back this past Friday (about 280 miles round trip), taking both interstate highway and some back road two lanes as well.  I'll have to say that the bike is running great...excellent throttle response, somewhat cooler on the back of the right leg, and a nice sound at cruise.  I am happy with the 2" cores...they are just loud enough to let people know you're there, but not obnoxious at all.  At steady cruising speed (78mph on the interstate), they are not loud at all, but just settle into a nice, deep rumble.  No ear ringing at the end of the day, so I'm a happy camper.  Excellent products, and the canned MAP works perfectly well.