power gains with SE heavy breather?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
power gains with SE heavy breather?
i'm gonna be installing a SE heavy breather over this winter.
i havent done any engine mods, just changed the stock exhaust to samson big guns 3 street sweepers.
what can i expect to get out of my heavy breather? am i going to see power gains? sound improvements? neither? both?
a corollary to the first question: should i get the bike dyno tuned now that i've changed out the exhaust and intake systems?
i'm a master of the bolt on, but i'm rather green when it comes to anything having to do with my motor.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
i havent done any engine mods, just changed the stock exhaust to samson big guns 3 street sweepers.
what can i expect to get out of my heavy breather? am i going to see power gains? sound improvements? neither? both?
a corollary to the first question: should i get the bike dyno tuned now that i've changed out the exhaust and intake systems?
i'm a master of the bolt on, but i'm rather green when it comes to anything having to do with my motor.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 667
Likes: 59
From: Lufkin, Tx.
You will need some type of fuel management system (TTS, PCV, SEST, etc) if you don't already have one or you will be too lean. I'm sure others will chime in and better explain or be more specific.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 6
From: Edmond, Ok
The Heavy Breather is $300 worth of "looks cool." It probably won't flow any better than a typical Stage I K&N filter system. Ok, maybe just a little, because it's forward facing. I run one, and like it. As FLSTF mentioned, if you haven't done so, you should consider adding some sort of fuel management system, and having it tuned by a professional.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Many have found hp increases and leaner running using this breather. It does flow better than the regular SE units. Tow reports that come to mind if I remember correctly were a need for fuel adjustment from Shovelhead Bob and actual testing of various breathers from a tuner overseas on a HQ build. I think he gained about 5-8 compared to the regular SE breather.
If I'm incorrect on this Shovelhead, I appologize for the misinformation. Memory's not 100%
I'd also like to point out that modifying this breather to vent externally would be a good idea to reduce carbon in the engine. On teardown using this breather, I had an insane amount in the head and piston tops. Seeing that, I've since vented to ground.
Ron
If I'm incorrect on this Shovelhead, I appologize for the misinformation. Memory's not 100%
I'd also like to point out that modifying this breather to vent externally would be a good idea to reduce carbon in the engine. On teardown using this breather, I had an insane amount in the head and piston tops. Seeing that, I've since vented to ground.
Ron
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 6
From: Edmond, Ok
Many have found hp increases and leaner running using this breather. It does flow better than the regular SE units. Tow reports that come to mind if I remember correctly were a need for fuel adjustment from Shovelhead Bob and actual testing of various breathers from a tuner overseas on a HQ build. I think he gained about 5-8 compared to the regular SE breather.
If I'm incorrect on this Shovelhead, I appologize for the misinformation. Memory's not 100%
I'd also like to point out that modifying this breather to vent externally would be a good idea to reduce carbon in the engine. On teardown using this breather, I had an insane amount in the head and piston tops. Seeing that, I've since vented to ground.
Ron
If I'm incorrect on this Shovelhead, I appologize for the misinformation. Memory's not 100%
I'd also like to point out that modifying this breather to vent externally would be a good idea to reduce carbon in the engine. On teardown using this breather, I had an insane amount in the head and piston tops. Seeing that, I've since vented to ground.
Ron
That makes 2 of us. I'm seriously debating re-installing this on my 113" build, or switching to something else. Ron, I'd like to see pictures of your external venting invention, if possible. Any ideas would be helpful at this point. Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Great State of Texas
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 709
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Heavy breather...
That heavy breather might breath heavy ( like suck the money right out of your wallet ) but doesn't seem to add much in terms of HP. I found some info last week about a guy that put a heavy breather on a new stock honda fury and then did a dyno test to get the HP increase. It recorded a 1 HP increase. OK, it was on a Honda. I know. It didn't have after market pipes or fuel management either...But still...
I wonder how much HP it would have added to a stock Harley?
I wonder how much HP it would have added to a stock Harley?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Queens, NY
thanks guys for all your input.
my gut told me that i'd probably have to install the power commander and get it tuned, and you guys backed that up for me.
i'm doing a ton of cosmetic mods to the bike right now so cash is short, but what i think i'll do is install everything i was planning on installing, let the bike sit and look pretty stored up for winter, then right before the season starts up again pony up the cash for a power commander and get it tuned up.
bottom line though: with the breather, aftermarket pipes, BCT baffles, PCV and a dyno tune from a tuner who knows what he's doing...should i expect gains?
i'm not looking to ride a missile otherwise i'd have just rebuilt my engine with all this money. just wondering whether or not my aesthetic mods are gonna do anything for me other than looking good.
my gut told me that i'd probably have to install the power commander and get it tuned, and you guys backed that up for me.
i'm doing a ton of cosmetic mods to the bike right now so cash is short, but what i think i'll do is install everything i was planning on installing, let the bike sit and look pretty stored up for winter, then right before the season starts up again pony up the cash for a power commander and get it tuned up.
bottom line though: with the breather, aftermarket pipes, BCT baffles, PCV and a dyno tune from a tuner who knows what he's doing...should i expect gains?
i'm not looking to ride a missile otherwise i'd have just rebuilt my engine with all this money. just wondering whether or not my aesthetic mods are gonna do anything for me other than looking good.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Great State of Texas
Yes if you dyno tune you will see a gain in HP. How much I can't say but it will be more than one HP I'm sure. however I would be concerned about the carbon build if in fact the heavy breather is the cause.