2012 Electra Glide Classic
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Stage II
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Dover, N.H.
2012 Electra Glide Classic
I am new to this site. I hope I am going about this the right way. Anyway here goes. I have been reading alot on removing the cat. I have a 2012 Electra Glide Classic. I just purchased it a couple days ago. Most all the info for removing the cat was possitive. My question would be I was planning on putting 3.5 inch reinharts on . When I purchased the bike I was told by putting these on you did not have to do any mods. If I remove the cat and use these mufflers am I still good or will other mods. have to be done. I heard a set of Reiharts on a stock bike and sounded pretty good but I am sure it would be better without the cat. Just dont want to have to deal with other mods. Any info. on this would be great. That is if I can find the info. Still getting used to this site. Thanks
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Just changing the exhaust ( cat and /or mufflers) should not greatly affect the flow through motor if the stock restrictive air cleaner stays in place.
Many riders here report that with the cat removed, the stock mufflers offer a pleasing sound and good performance ( as the cat is the bottleneck to flow)
If you were to then change to a hiflow air cleaner, then you would be looking at compensating for the increased flow.
There are tuners like the power commander V, replacement ECM like the Thundermax or a simple plug in for the o2 sensors- the nightrider.com XIEDS. ( which I use-$125)
research each of these your self and see which meets your needs.
why: 7 to 10 horsepower will be gained by removing the restrictions to air in and exhaust out of the motor.
as a side-effect, rider comfort may be increased as the hot cat won't be holding heat, and most tuning devices run the motor a little richer which leads to cooler operation.
Welcome to the Forums, read a bunch of threads and you'll find which approach best suits you.
One more thing: most of the common procedures violate the warranty--- maybe leave it as is for awhile- I left my most recent bike stock for 6000 miles before i started making changes, and even so each of those is reversible-
This is Harley #6 for me- any performance expectations need to be realistic and balanced with longevity and reliability ( there are lots of faster bikes out there...either lightweight Harleys or imports)
mike
Many riders here report that with the cat removed, the stock mufflers offer a pleasing sound and good performance ( as the cat is the bottleneck to flow)
If you were to then change to a hiflow air cleaner, then you would be looking at compensating for the increased flow.
There are tuners like the power commander V, replacement ECM like the Thundermax or a simple plug in for the o2 sensors- the nightrider.com XIEDS. ( which I use-$125)
research each of these your self and see which meets your needs.
why: 7 to 10 horsepower will be gained by removing the restrictions to air in and exhaust out of the motor.
as a side-effect, rider comfort may be increased as the hot cat won't be holding heat, and most tuning devices run the motor a little richer which leads to cooler operation.
Welcome to the Forums, read a bunch of threads and you'll find which approach best suits you.
One more thing: most of the common procedures violate the warranty--- maybe leave it as is for awhile- I left my most recent bike stock for 6000 miles before i started making changes, and even so each of those is reversible-
This is Harley #6 for me- any performance expectations need to be realistic and balanced with longevity and reliability ( there are lots of faster bikes out there...either lightweight Harleys or imports)
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 8, 2011 at 12:06 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 126
From: NC
Welcome
You'll be fine with just Slip On's, and a gutted Cat. If you do an Air Cleaner too, then I would look at getting a Tuner. I had my new 12 EGC for a week, and then I gutted my Cat. I rode it like that for a while before I did the Tuner, Slip On's and an Air Cleaner.
Have fun, I love mine
You'll be fine with just Slip On's, and a gutted Cat. If you do an Air Cleaner too, then I would look at getting a Tuner. I had my new 12 EGC for a week, and then I gutted my Cat. I rode it like that for a while before I did the Tuner, Slip On's and an Air Cleaner.
Have fun, I love mine
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
Many new owners will swear that they got an increase of "X" in both torque and hp just by gutting the cat. Fact is, both torque and hp will change as the motor breaks in and the tune gets closer to the proper VE levels.
Learning a bit more about the entire HD EFI system will shed some light on the issue most have but few recognize.
While a bike with no changes made to the ECM's map, will "run" with most intake/exhaust mods, a significant gain can be had by helping the ECM get to those numbers quicker. In some cases, the map may not be able to catch up at all.
But hey, it's your bike so do as you see fit...just don't be surprised if tuning problems begin to show up.
Ride the bike as is for a while, read some more on the whole tuning thing, then make your decision.
Oh, and welcome to the forum!
Good luck!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 495
Likes: 69
From: naples fl.
I have a 2011 ultra, This bike i am going to leave stock, Been through the pipes and tuning, Just to much trouble and money for me, The stock bike runs great, Sounds great, And does'nt put out to much heat. The cat is not really a problem like most think, You have to have back pressure.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
I have found living in the Midwest the heat from the cat is not an issue except for in the dead of summer. I actually welcome the heat as I ride through the winter. My 4 inch Rineharts are a little louder than stock and I'm pretty happy with the sound.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 531
Likes: 4
From: Chile Flats, AZ
I agree with PineTree-
It is quite temping while reading forums and the successes of many with various changes, added to the personal objectives and vision for where you want to go with your bike, to make changes immediately.
Ride it for a few weeks (fill in your own length of time here); read a bunch more; talk to tuners, builders, and shops and then read regarding their recommendations and the pros and cons. Then lay out a desired future vision for what you want with the steps to get there (unless you have the resources to just go for it all at once -- and then can afford to do it all over again when you find out... ooops).
Really, time and knowledg are your best friends here. All that said, the first thing most do is change exhaust.
My current ride I had American Customs de-cat and de-core the exhaust, I added Xieds, SE A/C, and it runs measurably cooler, averages about 42mpg, sounds good (to me); and after a quick dyno check for afr and performance change (without getting into details) it's all good.
Good luck.
It is quite temping while reading forums and the successes of many with various changes, added to the personal objectives and vision for where you want to go with your bike, to make changes immediately.
Ride it for a few weeks (fill in your own length of time here); read a bunch more; talk to tuners, builders, and shops and then read regarding their recommendations and the pros and cons. Then lay out a desired future vision for what you want with the steps to get there (unless you have the resources to just go for it all at once -- and then can afford to do it all over again when you find out... ooops).
Really, time and knowledg are your best friends here. All that said, the first thing most do is change exhaust.
My current ride I had American Customs de-cat and de-core the exhaust, I added Xieds, SE A/C, and it runs measurably cooler, averages about 42mpg, sounds good (to me); and after a quick dyno check for afr and performance change (without getting into details) it's all good.
Good luck.
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Stage II
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Dover, N.H.
2012 Electra Glide Classic
Thanks everyone for the info. I think I am going to buy a stock 2012 headpipe, do the mods. to it with the Reinharts and keep stock equipment just in case. great site..thanks all
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,904
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From: NC
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
I agree with danny54 and c908 the stock bike runs great, been through the whole muffler header tuner thing with loads of money. Leaving this puppy alone for a change and just riding her..........now upgrading the stereo...now thats a whole new thread...