As part of my stage 1 upgrade, I need to deal with my catted head pipe. I realize that the cat has to go, but my question is........

Is there any real benefit to a high end aftermarket $500 head pipe like the Vance & Hines, or is an ebay de-catted head pipe just as good??? And if there is, are we talking 2-3 horsepower at most?

Before I pull the trigger on one or the other, I would like some input from the forum. Buy a de-catted ebay pipe, de-cat mine, or buy an aftermarket head pipe???

Please advise.

 

I'd venture to say that the difference between stock and aftermarket as far as performance on a basically stock engine would be negligible. On a built engine, maybe worth the money.

 

It's not a big deal to remove the catalyst element form the front pipe assy and it won't cost you a dime ... Do a search for several threads on the specifics and how to go about it.

 

You're right 2-3 hp is it but the difference in the heat off the pipe is the big difference.

 

Thanks guys. I guess I will just de-cat mine. Great rocket fast replies. One can always count on this forum for quick answers to questions.

 

The aftermarket pipes (like the Jackpot) offer a true merge collector and properly separate the O2 sensors. You'll see marginally more peak power, but the overall curve will look better and the sensors will function properly.

 

I removed the cat and still had just as much heat as before. Didn't gain much sound either. Installed a set of true dual headers and the heat is gone, the bike sounds better, and overall runs better.

 

Unless you want to go with a two into one there' very little performance advantage to going with an aftermarket header.Some have nice features like stainless steel pipes or ceramic coating and lots of folks love the sound of true duals headers but in the end 1-2 HP and 2-3 lbs of torque is about it.The stock 2 into one into two is a good design and will even out perform some aftermaket systems.

 

I was a big believer in the stock '09 non-cat header on my '09 but after trying about everything (PCV, two dyno tunes, pipe wrap...) to get rid of the heat I got a Fullsac Xpipe off a forum member. The heat disappeared and it would pull 6th gear 5mph lower. I am converted.

 

if you want another option, and want to keep the stock look, but improve performance, take a look at the fullsac sportpipe www.fullsac.com/sportpipe.html they take a stock headpipe, completely remove/replace the plenum/collector and ceramic coat it. weld on a bracket or two to keep the stock heatshields lined up, and it works great. dynos within 1-2 hp of their x-pipe and is pretty economical. esp. if you have an old stock header to send in for exchange.