Oh, did you say TUNE? I was hoping it wouldn't come to that. I noticed your list of accessories include a special tuner. Which one would you recommend for mine? Thanks for your feedback.
You cannot change out the entire exhaust system WITHOUT modifying the tune in the ECM...unless you want to burn your engine up from running it so lean it melts down (not literally, but it will do damage). You can put slip on mufflers on the stock header pipe and not have to tune, though the bike can benefit from a good tune, regardless. But if you change the header pipe, thus removing the CAT, you MUST. The SE Tuner is not "special", but merely one tool that is available to properly tune your bike after changes to the exhaust system, or other changes.
The very first thing you need to do is find a REPUTABLE tuner...that does NOT mean your local HD dealership. Just owning a Dyno does not mean the person operating it is qualified to do so. Talk to the tuner you find and see what product he prefers to use.
Or, you can order the header pipe, cores of your choice, and TTS tuner from Fullsac...all for under $1100...and use the provided map. You will very likely not have to do another thing to the bike regarding tuning. Your choice.
Of this I am 100% sure: Vance and Hines will NOT be able to provide a map for their exhaust system, so if you go that route, be prepared to find a good tuner and spend an additional $300 for Dyno time. Do NOT let V&H tell you that their Fuelpak "tuner" will do the job...it is a total waste of money.