New Exhaust.... Tuning necessary?

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May 1, 2012 | 09:57 AM

82husky

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3rd Gear

Joined: Aug 2010

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New Exhaust.... Tuning necessary?

When I was in Laughlin last weekend I bought a Freedom Performance Exhaust system and had it installed. The tech's said my 2011 Electra Glide didn't need any tuning and that after some riding the bike would "adjust" to the new exhaust. The bike is basically new and only has about 1000 miles. I have a few more miles since the installation but it pops and tends to load up at slow speeds. At speed or under acceleration it runs fine. Do I need to do any thing else in terms of tuning to improve the performance?

Thanks in advance for any advise...............

May 1, 2012 | 10:09 AM

Keithhu

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 17,148

Likes: 6,171

From: SE Michigan

Improve performance and requiring a new map are 2 different things.

Generally the ECM will adjust to new pipes AND new AC (heresy to a lot of people on this board, I'm aware), but if you want it to run cooler and squeak a bit better performance out, you'll need some sort of fuel management system which will re-map your bike. Lots of options there, but also a lot of reading that you can do on the forum about it.

May 1, 2012 | 10:30 AM

Gearhead3

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 739

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From: St. Louis

Your ECM should compensate but it will run just as lean as before. That being said, air cooled engines cannot run properly at the lean A/F ratios needed to meet the EPA's emisson standards. (approximately 14.6-14.7:1) They sometimes have lean surge issues, they run hotter than they should and all around throttle response is lacking. That's why most of the guys on here (with stock setups) run their bikes at higher RPM's around town and out on the highway. Their throttle response at 2-3,000 RPM's is mushy/soggy at best. It's not crisp like it should be. You really should get some sort of tuner and get the A/F down to around 14.2:1 in the cruise range and under full throttle conditions about 13:1. Your engine will be much happier at these ratios and you'll notice a marked improvement in all around rideability.

May 1, 2012 | 02:15 PM

bigdumbnoitall00

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 8,341

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u don't have to tune it,but imo i would tune a completely stock bike,it won't make a bunch more power but it will run cooler less surging stumbling and pinging.

May 1, 2012 | 02:48 PM

Tn.Heritage

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2004

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From:

Do yourself a favor and have it tuned. I just spoke to the Steve at fullsak and he just said the freedom guys were putting on exhaust and telling that you didn't need it tuned. Get it tuned.

May 1, 2012 | 02:58 PM

SSTuner

Supporter

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 354

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From: N. Virginia

Get it tuned. These bikes run way to lean from H-D and with the new exhaust it may run a little leaner. Get a "box" or get it Dyno tuned, you will and the bike will be much happier.

May 1, 2012 | 07:38 PM

TUCCI

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 10,216

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From: Glendale AZ

I'm going to throw a cog in this thread and suggest an XIED, that's what I did and I don't have any surging, stumbling or pinging...oh and it runs like a raped ape at any speed, any gear.