After maket headpipe or decatted headpipe
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 2
After maket headpipe or decatted headpipe
Need your thoughts on this. I have a 2016 Ultra Limited and just put on Cobra 909 mufflers. They sound great by the way. Not too loud but enough bark when you need it. I have thought about decatting the headpipe and maybe putting on some xied's by Nightrider. Could do this for under $300. Dealer suggest a Cobra powerport headpipe, stage 1 air cleaner kit, and screaming eagle super tuner to the tune of $1400. My question is the $1100 difference really worth it. I live in Michigan and average about 12,000 per year. Thoughts please!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,074
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Decat the head pipe yourself ( you will notice an increase in the exhaust noise ). Forget the XIED'S. Install an aftermarket A/C kit and vent the breather to atmosphere. Install a Power Vision ( go through Fuel Moto ) and run it through the "Auto Tune" process .... and use the savings for a fabulous trip. 12,000 miles average in Michigan is a good number.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 547
Likes: 43
From: Cartersville, GA
I am running a stock decatted head pipe and vieds. This makes for a very decent ride. Bike is much cooler and runs better. BUT this is just a stop gap measure on my way to a dyno tune. The vieds are good but do nothing for full throttle performance (open loop) and leave a lot of performance on the table when cruising around (closed loop). A dyno tune is the way to go but if your just looking to kill the cat this is a cheap option.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
There is about 1.8 HP difference between a 500 dollar 2-1-2 head pipe and a free gutted cat. If you are not going to do a lot of upgrades I would go with the gutted cat.
You can gut the cat for free if you know a welder that will weld the window up for you. Plenty of examples of this mod on the forum, or I can post instructions for you. You can usually buy one for 100 exchange.
An air cleaner is 150 and you can put it on yourself, and a Power Commander 5 with a tune from Fuel Moto is 270 and a Power Vision is 450. Either of these you can install yourself. I have the Power Commander 5, but would go with the newer Power Vision of I were doing it again. And you already have mufflers.
So for 520 to 700 you can have a really good running bike that is considerably cooler than factory and a lot less than most dealers want for the same mods.
Bill
You can gut the cat for free if you know a welder that will weld the window up for you. Plenty of examples of this mod on the forum, or I can post instructions for you. You can usually buy one for 100 exchange.
An air cleaner is 150 and you can put it on yourself, and a Power Commander 5 with a tune from Fuel Moto is 270 and a Power Vision is 450. Either of these you can install yourself. I have the Power Commander 5, but would go with the newer Power Vision of I were doing it again. And you already have mufflers.
So for 520 to 700 you can have a really good running bike that is considerably cooler than factory and a lot less than most dealers want for the same mods.
Bill
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 226
From: W PA
Doesn't matter ............... I have both, as mentioned any advantages are minimal. Save money and gut.
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Road Warrior
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From: N. IL
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Cobra Powerport Duals would be good, not so much gain in air flow with Stage-I AC.
Add a K&N replacement filter to the stock AC housing, (part # HD-1614 @ $60.oo) will
feed all the air your engine needs. Nightriders FL-ViED-10 will richen up the fuel also.
That makes a low cost Stage-1 for your2016 Ultra Limited.
Add a K&N replacement filter to the stock AC housing, (part # HD-1614 @ $60.oo) will
feed all the air your engine needs. Nightriders FL-ViED-10 will richen up the fuel also.
That makes a low cost Stage-1 for your2016 Ultra Limited.
Last edited by OldPhat; Jun 13, 2016 at 01:06 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 59
From: Port Neches Texas
I changed my 2010 head pipe to an 09 pre cat. I did stage one and it was ok, what's gonna wake up the pipes and give you HP is a good cam swap, doing it yourself keeping stock lifters, your gonna be in at around $400-$450, cams, Orings/gaskets, bearings, cams. You will be impressed with the sound and the numbers