Decatted factory header truths
#1
Decatted factory header truths
This weekend I decatted a factory header on my 14 Limited. Not that the job was super easy, but very do-able.
I used a portable band saw to cut vertically half way through the pipe. I then used an air angle grinder with a 1/16" cut off wheel to make the horizontal cuts. Pried the new cut window out and proceeded to remove the cat material.
I used an air chisel to remove it and rough clean it. I then used an angle grinder with wheels and stones to final clean it.
I then mig welded the window back in. The whole process was about 2 hours. That being said, I started with an extra factory pipe so I hadn't pulled my stock one off yet.
I proceeded to swap out the pipes and o2 sensors, that part was easy. I already had Rinehart 4" muffs on the bike. The bike sounds like what I was looking for.
For all the talk on here about pipes and tuners, I believed I would absolutely have to have one. It's not so. My bike has perfectly smooth acceleration, no decel pop, no lag, no nothing that I was expecting. The ecm corrected itself almost immediately. I could actually smell the richer exhaust while the bike was warming up. It runs great. I don't see where I have to do anything further to make it run right.
Although I will still put a tuner on it in the near future to correct engine heat and a typical lean condition with epa compliant tunes.
I would recommend this anyone with a Delphi controlled efi bike
I used a portable band saw to cut vertically half way through the pipe. I then used an air angle grinder with a 1/16" cut off wheel to make the horizontal cuts. Pried the new cut window out and proceeded to remove the cat material.
I used an air chisel to remove it and rough clean it. I then used an angle grinder with wheels and stones to final clean it.
I then mig welded the window back in. The whole process was about 2 hours. That being said, I started with an extra factory pipe so I hadn't pulled my stock one off yet.
I proceeded to swap out the pipes and o2 sensors, that part was easy. I already had Rinehart 4" muffs on the bike. The bike sounds like what I was looking for.
For all the talk on here about pipes and tuners, I believed I would absolutely have to have one. It's not so. My bike has perfectly smooth acceleration, no decel pop, no lag, no nothing that I was expecting. The ecm corrected itself almost immediately. I could actually smell the richer exhaust while the bike was warming up. It runs great. I don't see where I have to do anything further to make it run right.
Although I will still put a tuner on it in the near future to correct engine heat and a typical lean condition with epa compliant tunes.
I would recommend this anyone with a Delphi controlled efi bike
#2
#3
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RATFINK53 (07-06-2017)
#4
This weekend I decatted a factory header on my 14 Limited. Not that the job was super easy, but very do-able.
I used a portable band saw to cut vertically half way through the pipe. I then used an air angle grinder with a 1/16" cut off wheel to make the horizontal cuts. Pried the new cut window out and proceeded to remove the cat material.
I used an air chisel to remove it and rough clean it. I then used an angle grinder with wheels and stones to final clean it.
I then mig welded the window back in. The whole process was about 2 hours. That being said, I started with an extra factory pipe so I hadn't pulled my stock one off yet.
I proceeded to swap out the pipes and o2 sensors, that part was easy. I already had Rinehart 4" muffs on the bike. The bike sounds like what I was looking for.
For all the talk on here about pipes and tuners, I believed I would absolutely have to have one. It's not so. My bike has perfectly smooth acceleration, no decel pop, no lag, no nothing that I was expecting. The ecm corrected itself almost immediately. I could actually smell the richer exhaust while the bike was warming up. It runs great. I don't see where I have to do anything further to make it run right.
Although I will still put a tuner on it in the near future to correct engine heat and a typical lean condition with epa compliant tunes.
I would recommend this anyone with a Delphi controlled efi bike
I used a portable band saw to cut vertically half way through the pipe. I then used an air angle grinder with a 1/16" cut off wheel to make the horizontal cuts. Pried the new cut window out and proceeded to remove the cat material.
I used an air chisel to remove it and rough clean it. I then used an angle grinder with wheels and stones to final clean it.
I then mig welded the window back in. The whole process was about 2 hours. That being said, I started with an extra factory pipe so I hadn't pulled my stock one off yet.
I proceeded to swap out the pipes and o2 sensors, that part was easy. I already had Rinehart 4" muffs on the bike. The bike sounds like what I was looking for.
For all the talk on here about pipes and tuners, I believed I would absolutely have to have one. It's not so. My bike has perfectly smooth acceleration, no decel pop, no lag, no nothing that I was expecting. The ecm corrected itself almost immediately. I could actually smell the richer exhaust while the bike was warming up. It runs great. I don't see where I have to do anything further to make it run right.
Although I will still put a tuner on it in the near future to correct engine heat and a typical lean condition with epa compliant tunes.
I would recommend this anyone with a Delphi controlled efi bike
#5
It naturally runs richer during warm up, due to being in open loop. Without the cat, you can smell the difference, where before you could not.
I just came back from a 60 mile ride and I have to say, I'm impressed. The slight stumble that was typical during acceleration, is now gone. When I twist it, it just goes. Also, the pipe heat under the passenger floorboard is all but gone.
Again, I will add a tuner in the near future, to get it where I want it.
I just came back from a 60 mile ride and I have to say, I'm impressed. The slight stumble that was typical during acceleration, is now gone. When I twist it, it just goes. Also, the pipe heat under the passenger floorboard is all but gone.
Again, I will add a tuner in the near future, to get it where I want it.
#6
I know there is a lot of talk about that as well, however logically, I don't see it being a problem. The o2's are staggered and while it is now an empty chamber, you may get swirl, but I don't see it being an issue since they are staggered and behind the chamber.
Not saying your approach wouldn't be cheap insurance
Last edited by Dsm Limited; 05-25-2015 at 08:50 PM.
#7
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#8
Absolutely... I still have the stock air filter and housing. When I do a tuner, the ac will be in that upgrade
#9
#10
You will find that an air chisel is the easiest and quickest way to get that cat material out. It's stuck like no other.