Factory De-catted Header vs. Vance and Hines Power Duals
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Deer Park, NY
Factory De-catted Header vs. Vance and Hines Power Duals
15 Limited, Big Sucker, De-catted Factory Header, Monster Ovals and FP3. Bike runs fine. Has anybody switched to the V&H Power Duals headpipe? If so, what were your results as far as noise level increase and performance gains? Thank you Gentlemen.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I added the V&H PD's to my '13 at new to remove the cat and reduce heat. I purchased in Jan so had time to review options. Several threads on decatting but what I liked about the PD's was the X-Over which IMO is 2 header collectors welded together. I would assume that will flow and scavenge much better than a box with the cat removed. I also purchased my PD's for a 2008 which gave me (20 18mm bungs for Bosch O2's to use my Autotune as the '13 setup had the smaller O2's.
As for sound, the first thing you will notice is the potato potato is blended resulting in a smoother sounding V-Twin
As for sound, the first thing you will notice is the potato potato is blended resulting in a smoother sounding V-Twin
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 51
From: Northwest Arkansas
If your bike is running right not sure a change at this point would gain you anything. However, with that being said, the location of the narrow band o2 sensors on the factory pipes in relationship to the location of the cat converter may cause some sensor miss-readings if the cat is removed. Notice that I clearly say "may" and not will. Many riders who go the gutted cat route don't have any problems at all. A handful report performance issues
Aftermarket pipes fix this potential trip up point by precisely locating the sensor locations relative to the crossover.
Take a look at the sensor locations on your stock head pipe and note the close proximity of the sensors to your cat converter with the rear cylinder sensor being slightly closer to the cat converter. Now take a look at any decent aftermarket head pipe (using the FuelMoto Jackpot 2-1-2 as an example) and note the sensor locations on that head pipe. You'll immediately see that the aftermarket head pipe is designed to offer a much cleaner sampling stream of the exhaust gases on each cylinder, offering excellent isolation between the front cylinder and rear cylinder readings.
Then you have to take into account scavenging, reversion characteristics and exhaust gas velocity differences between the various setups and their impact on overall performance.
Aftermarket pipes fix this potential trip up point by precisely locating the sensor locations relative to the crossover.
Take a look at the sensor locations on your stock head pipe and note the close proximity of the sensors to your cat converter with the rear cylinder sensor being slightly closer to the cat converter. Now take a look at any decent aftermarket head pipe (using the FuelMoto Jackpot 2-1-2 as an example) and note the sensor locations on that head pipe. You'll immediately see that the aftermarket head pipe is designed to offer a much cleaner sampling stream of the exhaust gases on each cylinder, offering excellent isolation between the front cylinder and rear cylinder readings.
Then you have to take into account scavenging, reversion characteristics and exhaust gas velocity differences between the various setups and their impact on overall performance.
Last edited by wevsspot; Aug 31, 2017 at 03:04 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
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From: Newcastle, Ca.
Spend the money on cams if youre looking for better performance. Gains are minimal with headpipe changes, unlike a cam swap. "IF" you pay for a tune, and not with a FP3 though, with the PD's you may gain a few at the bottom and a few at the top end. Something you probably would not feel sop.
On another forum, direct comparisons were made on same day, same dyno, same tuner, with performance header and oem header. Not much diff...
On another forum, direct comparisons were made on same day, same dyno, same tuner, with performance header and oem header. Not much diff...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 187
From: Near St. Louis Mo.
I'm in the same situation... You say Your bike runs fine. I spoke with two Indy shops regarding switching over to Power Duals verses my decatted stock pipe and neither thought it was worth the bang for the buck. I spent the $$ else where...
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Post Falls,Idaho
I've always wondered if the money was worth spending on the same V&H headpipe.I have the stock headpipe with cat still in place. I would be worried about low end torque loss first. I think my bike sounds perfect with crusher mellow mufflers.I would think it might be to loud when removing the cat.Thanks for asking the question.
