2008 Softail Custom mods needed
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2008 Softail Custom mods needed
Just picked up a 2008 softail custom which is completely stock and would appreciate suggestions on a fuel tuner and exhaust to enhance performance.
I’m a stage one upgrade type, afraid to do cams, don’t wanna build a time bomb, just want to have the motor breathe easy and the fuel mixture set for optimum performance.
That said, I’d appreciate some suggestions on the best exhaust and tuner combo for the bike. Want the typical potato-potato Harley sound, nothing obnoxiously loud, but not quiet either.
High flow air cleaner, performance exhaust and tuner is all I’ve typically done with my Harley’s, and I did switch my ‘96 Fatboy to a single fire ignition which seemed to help performance as well.
I’m a stage one upgrade type, afraid to do cams, don’t wanna build a time bomb, just want to have the motor breathe easy and the fuel mixture set for optimum performance.
That said, I’d appreciate some suggestions on the best exhaust and tuner combo for the bike. Want the typical potato-potato Harley sound, nothing obnoxiously loud, but not quiet either.
High flow air cleaner, performance exhaust and tuner is all I’ve typically done with my Harley’s, and I did switch my ‘96 Fatboy to a single fire ignition which seemed to help performance as well.
Last edited by Kopazzz; Oct 4, 2020 at 01:56 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: san antonio
The motor will need a dyno tune to optimize performance. Many tuners these days are using the Power Vision tuner and sell "licenses" to their customers plus the cost of a tune. The licenses go for $150-$200 in my nexk of the woods and a full on dyno tune will run $300-$400. This saves the customer the cost of buying a fuel management system. Additionally, should the customer ever decide to enhance performance with increased displacement, cams, head work, etc., the customer can just return to the tuner for a re-tune.
The HD Heavy Breather is a popular hi-flow air filter and works well.
So many choices in exhaust. Bassani, V&H, D&D and Rinehart all offer quality systems. Most will recommend a 2:1 system but IMHO, the sound is lacking and the ones I have used (Python and V&H) produce a "drone" at highway cruise that I find very annoying. There Bassain and Rinehaft both offer 2:2 systems that will perform just as well as a 2:1 and IMHO sound and look much better. Bassani ProSreets and the Rinehart Crossbacks are two that come to mind.
Good luck with whatever you choose but the tune is the key to optimizing performance; don't underestimate the impact of a good tune.
The HD Heavy Breather is a popular hi-flow air filter and works well.
So many choices in exhaust. Bassani, V&H, D&D and Rinehart all offer quality systems. Most will recommend a 2:1 system but IMHO, the sound is lacking and the ones I have used (Python and V&H) produce a "drone" at highway cruise that I find very annoying. There Bassain and Rinehaft both offer 2:2 systems that will perform just as well as a 2:1 and IMHO sound and look much better. Bassani ProSreets and the Rinehart Crossbacks are two that come to mind.
Good luck with whatever you choose but the tune is the key to optimizing performance; don't underestimate the impact of a good tune.
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So your suggesting a system like Power Vision with a dyna tune for optimal performance if I’m understanding you correctly, in other words, fuel management system without dyna tune is not sufficient, correct?
HDF Community Team
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From: san antonio
Yes. The primary reason to have a fuel management system is so the air/fuel/timing can be optimized across the rpm range. Your current fuel management system, I think, is a "fueler" and piggy backs into the system and "tricks" the ECM to make adjustment. The Power Vision and similar tuners are "flash" tuners that re-program the ECM for a much more accurate tune. Comprende?
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Yes. The primary reason to have a fuel management system is so the air/fuel/timing can be optimized across the rpm range. Your current fuel management system, I think, is a "fueler" and piggy backs into the system and "tricks" the ECM to make adjustment. The Power Vision and similar tuners are "flash" tuners that re-program the ECM for a much more accurate tune. Comprende?
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