baffled by baffles
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 125
From: Reading, PA
baffled by baffles
Can someone explain to me how they select the baffle size for their mufflers? I have a 14 Street glide, and will probably do a stage I in the spring (FM a/c, 2-1-2 header, PV tuner). My concern is how to select a slip on muffler to go with this. I like the look of the stock muffler and do not want to stray to far from it. I also want to maintain low end and mid range power/torque. I do not want to make it much louder. For example, I am looking at Rush Big Louie " mufflers and you can choose baffles of 2", 2.25, 2.5 and 3".
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 7
From: Dubuque, Iowa
I did big louie mufflers on my 14 FLHX and went with the 3" baffles because I wanted a deeper tone. I had been told that with a smaller baffle it wouldn't be as deep and you could end up with more popping on decel. Right now I have the stock head pipe with a Roland Sands AC and the SE tuner for my stage 1. I would not call it quiet, for sure nothing like stock. With that being said, I am planning on swapping out the head pipe to get rid of the cat, this will make it louder as well as cooler without having that cat in there kicking off heat. My only concern is that with the larger baffles and no cat that I will lose back pressure and possibly some low end power as a result.
When used with stock headpipes we recommended the 2.50" baffle for most riders then introduced the 3.00" baffle with a more aggressive note. New for 2015 we have the SB1 baffle configuration. It's volume is similar to the 2.50". Only for use on stock touring bikes with stock head pipes. If you are only looking to upgrade the slip on mufflers, this is the baffle option to use.
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/big%20louie.html
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/catalog/index.html#8
Thanks for considering Rush!
Ryan
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/big%20louie.html
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/catalog/index.html#8
Thanks for considering Rush!
Ryan
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Baffle size definetly effects low end performance. Bigger ain't always better. The more "free flowing" the more torque you can lose. I've also found as well that when you go too big on the baffle the muffler becomes hollow and tinny sounding, you lose that low rumble most want. As Rush posted, I would definetly not go bigger than 2.5 on a 103 stock motor. I'd even lean toward the 2.25. I've had several sets of Big Louies in the past.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: APO
Baffle
I went with the Fullsac 2" so I could maintain that low end grunt and I am putting in their Stage 2 kit. the dyno sheet shows 98hp and 110 lb/ft of torque from another rushmore bike. Also they are great people to deal with they made me a great deal on the full set up.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 125
From: Reading, PA
OK, all this is helpful.
If I might re-phrase the question a little. I am going to replace the header with a Fuel Moto 2-1-2 header (no cat), so which 4" diameter mufflers would you recommend that maximize low end/mid range torque?
In this situation, will a 2" baffle provide better low end performance or is it just basically going to be quieter than a 2.5" baffle.
I think a few people here have used a cat-less header and kept their stock mufflers, what happens to performance with this set-up?
If I might re-phrase the question a little. I am going to replace the header with a Fuel Moto 2-1-2 header (no cat), so which 4" diameter mufflers would you recommend that maximize low end/mid range torque?
In this situation, will a 2" baffle provide better low end performance or is it just basically going to be quieter than a 2.5" baffle.
I think a few people here have used a cat-less header and kept their stock mufflers, what happens to performance with this set-up?
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With Rush slip-ons the 2.00" or 2.25" are the best baffle sizes to use with any aftermarket head pipes. The 2.25" is popular with true duals. Some riders that put on lots of highway miles might find that too loud and prefer the 2.00" baffles.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 362
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
I had the 1.75 the 2.00 and the 2.50 baffle and I prefer the 2.00 for use with catless pipe or in your case fuelmoto 2-1-2 which I just installed on my bike. The 2.50 is a little too loud and I believe the 2.00 baffle produces the most power.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 10
From: NJ
When I was buying my rush big Louie's I called rush. Told them I had the stock head pipe and that I was putting on a FM air cleaner and tune hey recommended the 3" baffle for my 15 SGS. And that if I did go with a cat less pipe in the future go with the 2.0 or 2.25 baffle which I could order from them and change at a later date.
As far as power or torque loss lost nothing bike feels more powerful and sounds great
My setup
Rush big Louie's 4" pipe with 3" baffle. Slash down
FM pro billet air cleaner
PV2 tuned by FM
Stock catted head pipe
As far as power or torque loss lost nothing bike feels more powerful and sounds great
My setup
Rush big Louie's 4" pipe with 3" baffle. Slash down
FM pro billet air cleaner
PV2 tuned by FM
Stock catted head pipe