Changing exhaust
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13,905
Likes: 10,886
From: San Diego, CA
Need a tuner, no.... If you also change to a high flow air cleaner it is highly recommended..
However, even an OEM Twin Cam engine can benefit from a retune.
So, IMHO, any time you change the airflow in a Twin Cam engine, it will run its best if you retune....
If you don't go for an upgraded intake along with the exhaust, a tune would not technically be needed, but it would help.
The Twin Cam's come from the factory overly lean and don't adjust great to changes in the intake and exhaust on their own like the M8's.
We have an informational report put together on the Harley ECM and How it Works with Tuners you might find interesting when considering this.
We also have a YouTube Series on Why and How to Cool Down your Twin Cam and M8 that may be worth looking into.
Kevin did a short video discussing some of the tuner options out there you might also find helpful.
Ride Safe, Ride Free.
Shelly
The Twin Cam's come from the factory overly lean and don't adjust great to changes in the intake and exhaust on their own like the M8's.
We have an informational report put together on the Harley ECM and How it Works with Tuners you might find interesting when considering this.
We also have a YouTube Series on Why and How to Cool Down your Twin Cam and M8 that may be worth looking into.
Kevin did a short video discussing some of the tuner options out there you might also find helpful.
Ride Safe, Ride Free.
Shelly
Last edited by DK Custom; May 8, 2025 at 03:18 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 949
Likes: 826
From: Hudson, CO
Hey Wishbone, which stock exhaust do you have? Chrome or black? Sorry if that's a dumb question and only chrome was available, I'm a softail newbie. I will likely be looking for some good used stock heat shields soon if you would be interested in selling them, if they are chrome. Let me know.
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