Baffles. To remove or not

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May 22, 2012 | 08:17 PM

taterbum

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Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Rome Ga

Baffles. To remove or not

Ok, so I have a 08 FLHTCU. I had some wheel damage and since Ive got my slip ons removed to take the wheel off Im considering removing the baffles. I have a stage one kit, SE High flow air kit and RC Components RCX-Haust 4" THUNDER slip ons. My question is do you guys think its advisable? Ive heard everyone telling stories about melted valves and doing serious damage to their rides. The local indie shop here in town STREET CHROME USA has a dyno and Im considering letting him tune it. I added the pipes and SE air kit after the stage one was done and allthough I noticed a gain on HP and torque I also noticed a drop off on the top end when I pop the throttle to pass someone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The baffles on these slip ons are easily removable (one screw) so the up side is that they are easily put back in.

Last edited by taterbum; May 22, 2012 at 08:18 PM. Reason: wanted to change preferences

May 22, 2012 | 09:49 PM

wideglidebob

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Joined: Aug 2006

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do what you indy tells you never hurts to have it dyno`d

May 22, 2012 | 10:04 PM

DannyZ71

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Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Go ahead and remove them. If you get a lot of decel popping, then put them back in until you can talk to your indy or have it tuned. Also, keep an eye on your plugs. I love the way my American Custom slip-ons sounded without the baffles. But the decel popping really had me worried so I stuck in their mid-rumble baffles. If you're wanting a little more sound, you can always drill some holes, or open up the existing holes in the baffles while still keeping the back-pressure up.

May 22, 2012 | 10:13 PM

Dew Me

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Joined: Jul 2008

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From: Maryland

If you are using an Indy then you should trust what they say over any of us. My understanding is that a little back-pressure is necessary. Decel is bad. There are baffles out there that offer correct back-pressure without quieting things down. One of those is Big City Thunder (BCT). I use their QQ version which means a cone is added. On a noise scale of 10 the QQ's are still 8 or 9 but slightly deeper. I love'em.

May 22, 2012 | 10:47 PM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Centennial, CO

infoYou can see my reply in the tech forum.
Can't answer the poll either. Bought my '04 with Longshots w/out baffles in them. When I put in the 37 cams I had all kinds of trouble tuning til I put DK Customs Thunder Torque inserts in (a lollypop design). Made a world of difference. So I'd say you need some kind of baffle. As Ultra said above, a little back pressure is needed.

Last edited by QC; May 23, 2012 at 05:52 AM. Reason: info

May 23, 2012 | 01:00 AM

jluvs2ride

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Back in the Good Ole USA. South Carolina to be exact.

Won't melt valves and other such nonsense. you need a certain amount of backpressure. Some folks have found the "lollypop" mod works. I've had success with Torque Cones on an Evo, but someone said the exhaust port design of the TC engine made these unnecessary. That's anecdotal so I don't know.

I've got a FatCat with a quiet baffle and I've pretty much decided to remove the fiberglass when I get home.

May 23, 2012 | 09:16 AM

TXHooligan

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Joined: May 2012

Posts: 53

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From: HOUSTON

i've yanked the baffles out of every set of pipes i've ever bought and never had a problem. then again i've NEVER had a fuel injected motor so that is def something u should consider.