upgrading to a thunderheader
upgrading to a thunderheader
I finally almost have saved enough money to put a thunderheader on my fxdb, 
i cant wait!! Right now i'm running short shots, that being said can i expect any power increase, will i have to make any adjustments with the race tuner, how difficult to install?? anything helps!
i cant wait!! Right now i'm running short shots, that being said can i expect any power increase, will i have to make any adjustments with the race tuner, how difficult to install?? anything helps!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: San Bruno
you probably will notice a difference over the short shots. off the line will be alot better. as for the tuner, you might have to, but dont hold me to that. maybe someone else can chime in on that one.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Lots of folks mention how much of a pain the TH is to install. I did it by myself and didn't find it that bad. I did utilize my feet (sitting on the ground) to hold the end of the pipe up while I fit the pipes into the heads. I suppose it could have been worse.
Depends how good you are.
Depends how good you are.
Thunderheader
I want one so bad. I have V&H now and they are Ok. I am hoping they come out with a X series like the touring that has a full heat shield. I hate the 3 piece they have now but love the look and sound. My friend has a softail Standard the same year as mine with the same cam upgrade and he really pulls on me.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Canberra, Australia
I went from short shots to a thunderheader. The performance gain is -very- noticeable, especially accelerating off the lights, etc. It doesn't die at higher revs like short shots do either.
Sounds quieter on the bike, but is actually way louder...
Install was a pain in the ***. Specifically getting the clamp thing onto the exhaust.
I did a few tune runs with a TTS. Final tune was quite different to the short shots tune.
Sounds quieter on the bike, but is actually way louder...
Install was a pain in the ***. Specifically getting the clamp thing onto the exhaust.
I did a few tune runs with a TTS. Final tune was quite different to the short shots tune.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Getting the clamp on isn't a big deal with 2 small crow bars or similar, pry open a bit and put over.
My first set i installed was a bitch to pull apart to get into the heads, second set went on like a breeze. So worth it
My first set i installed was a bitch to pull apart to get into the heads, second set went on like a breeze. So worth it
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 854
Likes: 20
From: CT
You will feel a big difference if it's tuned properly. I would have it professionally dyno tuned. I also like to tune the baffle on a thunderheader, can get big gains across the board. Very easy to install if you know what you're doing.
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: MO,US
Lol I'm with SC- Longhair on this one. I had to use my left foot and right knee so I could free up one hand to start a nut on the flange.
Couple things I would recommend is about an inch or so behind the headers put some tape around the pipe then tape the flanges to that to help keep from scratching it.
Also start the headers down at the bottom of the jugs where its a lot smaller and then raise it up into place. I tried just putting mine on like you would think it should go on but didn't really feel like pulling it around like that.
Did both of those with mine and it worked great. Be aware too if your using heat shields the front one with be really close possibly touching the fins just a couple inches away from flange. So you might have to mod it a little if its going to rub.
Matt
Couple things I would recommend is about an inch or so behind the headers put some tape around the pipe then tape the flanges to that to help keep from scratching it.
Also start the headers down at the bottom of the jugs where its a lot smaller and then raise it up into place. I tried just putting mine on like you would think it should go on but didn't really feel like pulling it around like that.
Did both of those with mine and it worked great. Be aware too if your using heat shields the front one with be really close possibly touching the fins just a couple inches away from flange. So you might have to mod it a little if its going to rub.
Matt
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Racin Raymond
Dyna Glide Models
8
Mar 18, 2012 10:03 PM