EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Muffler interchangeability

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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 02:08 PM
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Default Muffler interchangeability

Some of you know I have a 1989 FLTC-U. And where I am at now is that I am not enamored with raucous loud mufflers....as the pickings seem slim for this model year can I assume that the mufflers that fit similar year Evo FLHT and similar will also fit FLTC? We are talking slip on of course. If I find something that fits electra glides and know that my frame is similar enough I would get them since no one seems to know anymore that Tour Glides even existed!
 
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 03:06 PM
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The only difference between the FLTC and FLHT is the fairing/front end bits. Exhaust will directly swap over. However, you probably won't find much for a 89. A better option that a lot of us have done is to replace the whole exhaust with one from a twinkie up to 2007, I think, before they changed it to under the frame at the back. Just get the whole system from a twinkie dresser. I paid $100 delivered for mine a few years ago. It was sold as having 500 miles on it, but I suspect it was much closer to zero.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 03:08 PM
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OK....gently used is not off the menu so this does give me some options.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 03:11 PM
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And, once you have the new style headpipes, that opens up a whole range of new mufflers to put on it if you don't like the stock ones.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jonnycando
Some of you know I have a 1989 FLTC-U. And where I am at now is that I am not enamored with raucous loud mufflers....as the pickings seem slim for this model year can I assume that the mufflers that fit similar year Evo FLHT and similar will also fit FLTC? We are talking slip on of course. If I find something that fits electra glides and know that my frame is similar enough I would get them since no one seems to know anymore that Tour Glides even existed!
Do you still have head pipes with the flanges (the ones that mate up with flanges on the muffler) or are they the ones that are straight tubes? I went through this with my bike. I still had the factory head pipes and had a heck of time finding any mufflers. So I changed the head pipes to the newer style and was able to use the slip on clamp type. Where you can get into trouble with that is some head pipes are stepped up to 2" and the some stay the 1-3/4 all the way down. So then you have to match a set of mufflers to the head pipe size.
 

Last edited by TexNorth; Apr 12, 2019 at 04:03 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 07:04 PM
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If you have the flanges on the end of the head pipes you can also cut off the end flange. That will open the door for most slip on's up to '08 model years. I did that on my '94.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by rizzo
If you have the flanges on the end of the head pipes you can also cut off the end flange. That will open the door for most slip on's up to '08 model years. I did that on my '94.
That is true. You just have to make sure the slip on muffler will reach the cut pipe.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 09:32 PM
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I've had 3 different sets of slip-on mufflers on mine over the last 14 years and didn't have a problem with any of them. The rear sliding hanger takes care of minor differences, for the most part they're the same length from hanger to inlet +/- 1/4"
 

Last edited by rizzo; Apr 12, 2019 at 09:34 PM.
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Dr.Hess
The only difference between the FLTC and FLHT is the fairing/front end bits. Exhaust will directly swap over. However, you probably won't find much for a 89. A better option that a lot of us have done is to replace the whole exhaust with one from a twinkie up to 2007, I think, before they changed it to under the frame at the back. Just get the whole system from a twinkie dresser. I paid $100 delivered for mine a few years ago. It was sold as having 500 miles on it, but I suspect it was much closer to zero.
[QUOTE=Dr.Hess;18178370]And, once you have the new style headpipes, that opens up a whole range of new mufflers to put on it if you don't like the stock ones.[/QUOTE

Yep did this for a friend ... simple install
 
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Old Apr 13, 2019 | 09:52 AM
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I do have the original pipes but did find some gently used mufflers on ebay......I suppose it will be in the not too distant future that I will do later model head pipes....while the heat shields can hide many sins on the original pipes....they are going to fail here sometime.

Incidentally, I put some fresh spark plugs in and was happy to find no major issues with the old one...good combustion.....that's helpful!
 

Last edited by jonnycando; Apr 13, 2019 at 09:53 AM.
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