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Exhaust Pros and Cons

Here are some lists (it beats working) I've made while trying to decide how to give my 06 Dyna Super Glide (EFI) more of that great Harley sound. I've compiled this info from this forum, from talking to parts and service guys at my dealership, and from the "Dr. Dyno" series of articles last summer in American Iron magazine. Obviously I'm just getting started learning about this stuff. If I was made of money, I'd hang out at the dyno and try 'em all. But reality suggests that Ido this just once.If you find the lists useful or have comments and corrections, I'd like to hear about it. Here are my options and the pros and cons for each as far as I can tell.

Option 1: Just slip-ons (any brand)
Give my stock bike more of the "Harley sound" - pro
May run just fine (some bikes apparently do) - pro
Don't need separate fuel management component - pro
Reduces complexity and removes a point of failure - pro
No component left plugged into the bike - pro
Stock EFI map may not be enough fuel with new mufflers - con
May run too lean (and therefore too hot) with less back pressure - con
Lean and hot will cause serious engine problem - con
Could bike be dynoed to find out?
Simplest, least expensive option if no problems arise - pro

Option 2: SE II slip-ons, SE stage 1 air cleaner, stage 1 ECM download
All-Harley solution - pro
Discontinued, only one pair SE II's for Dyna at Dealer - con
Give my stock bike more of the "Harley sound" - pro
May run just fine (some bikes apparently do) - pro
Don't need separate fuel management component - pro
Reduces complexity and removes a point of failure - pro
No component left plugged into the bike. Just new settings in the original ECM - pro
Stage 1 EFI map designed for stock and SE mufflers (not SE II) - con
Stage 1 EFI map may not be enough fuel with new mufflers - con
May run too lean (and therefore too hot) with less back pressure - con
Lean and hot will cause serious engine problem - con
Could bike be dynoed to find out?
Save money if don't have to buy and install fuel managemnet component - pro

Option 3: V&H slip-ons, SE stage 1 air cleaner, V&H FuelPak
Give my stock bike more of the "Harley sound" - pro
Should run better than stock - pro
Uses canned EFI map for matching set of V&H components - pro
Best if used with V&H pipes - understandable
Natural component variationmeans canned map may not match as well as it could - con
Have to hope that your bike is average - con
No easy adjustability from dyno results - con
Parameters from V&H are somewhat mysterious and undocumented as of yet - con
Must get suggestions for new parameters from V&H support phone line - con
Doing engine work or switching to non-V&H components is not well supported - con
Not as flexible as Power Commander - con
Less expensive than Power Commander - pro
Leaves a non-HD component plugged into bike - con
Extra component adds complexity and another point of failure - con
What is life expecta

 

Why are you so hung-up on slip-ons?

 

$300 difference. What would I get for it?

 

WOW! That's some serious paralysis by analysis. Any of those setups done properly would be fine. What do you want to do?

If your worried about slip ons only then go a full stage 1 and add A/C and fuel management. Basic map and no dyno. You'll get a good bang for your buck, no fears of overheating, and all but the last couple of HP or FT/LBS.

Just my 1/50th of a dollar.

 

JohnC88 wrote: That's some serious paralysis by analysis

You got that right. I appreciate your encouragement though.

What I really want is the Harley sound without having to pay hundreds for new mufflers, hundred and a half for new AC, and hundreds more for fuel management. But, if past experience is any indication, there'll come a day when I won't be able to resist opening my wallet and throwing my money on the table.

 

Vance and Hines full system. Se a/c or big sucker. IMO...

 

Then I would suggest starting with slip ons only. You should be able to run those without any fuel management system and without any problems. Least cost with the desired results (sound improvement).

If you decide to you can always add fuel management without an A/C. Again, with only a minimalyincremental cost. Based on what you say you want you should never have to go any further than this and likely could stop after just the slip ons.

 

I second that

 

Ditto...If you were looking for best performance for the buck, then I'd go for a 2-1 pipe,best sound and noticeable performance boost...you're on the right path. Stock headers are grrrreeeaeaaat!

 

JohnC88, I'd like to just go with justslip-ons (nofuel management or AC)but guys I talk to and many on this forum say only some bikes can do it without being too lean. I wouldn't want to hurt my engine not knowing what signs to look for.

anubisss and woosh: Thanks for recommending full V& H sets. I like V & H pipes. Did you also go with the V & H FuelPak? Or maybe you've got carbs? (Ah, I see now that woosh uses a SERT.)

mtnlvr: I know 2 into 1's have a good performance rep but they also have less chance of having the best two-cylinder rumble, in my opinion. I do like a nice sounding bike!