Change the head pipe or not
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 22
From: Umatilla, Fl
After installing Fuelmoto's head pipe I seen an instant decrease in heat coming off the exhaust, along with minimal increase in db's as to exhaust sound. I would definitely recommend changing your pipe out. Just my opinion!
I had the Fuel Moto stainless steel header pipe on my last bike and just got American Custom Powerflex put on my SG. Performance wise I can't say if it makes much of a difference all the way around. But for heat reduction and sound it does. It will be louder but not to the point of obnoxious. You will notice it more on hard acceleration and decel.
Choices from cheapest to most expensive:
Option 1: Gut the head pipe yourself
Option 2: Pay someone to cut the cat out
Option 3: American Custom Powerflex
Option 4: One of the other header pipe choices out there. Fuel Moto, Fullsac, etc
Choices from cheapest to most expensive:
Option 1: Gut the head pipe yourself
Option 2: Pay someone to cut the cat out
Option 3: American Custom Powerflex
Option 4: One of the other header pipe choices out there. Fuel Moto, Fullsac, etc
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 403
I just installed the S&S power tune headpipe with the "hidden" crossover on my 08 Ultra. Smart engineering. True dual fabulous sound while increasing HP and Torque. My indy put one on his Evo bagger and was very impressed also. It cut down on heat for my fiance and myself and the overall tone is much deeper and it is unquestionably "better" sounding. Not dynoed yet, but bike runs better, will put in a cam soon and retune. It was worth the money by far for me. Just the heat reduction alone makes the ride more enjoyable. It was rediculous during the 90+ degree days this summer.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
If all your changing is the head pipe I would say just gut the CAT out of your stock head pipe for more sound and less heat. Adding an aftermarket head pipe to a stock bike isn't going to do much for you other than lighten your wallet. If you are adding other performance mods then it may be worth the money.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: long island
So I would probably get the same benefit from cutting out the cat as I would if i I changed the entire head pipe? I have the v&h high outputs already and the basic stage 1. Does that sound right?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 34
From: Maryland
Right
Depends on which head pipes you wind up with. Adding a 2-1-2 header with a properly designed 12 to 15 degree merge collector will enhance exhaust scavenging (which is the whole reason for the 2-1 or 2-1-2 headers). Cutting the cat out is a step in the right direction, though.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Cut it out like this:
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 34
From: Maryland
Great pic!!! I was wondering exactly where it was. I haven't visited any of the threads on it since I have an '09 so it doesn't directly concern me.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Warrenton Va.
I replaced my head pipes with V&H true duals with new slip on mufflers and stage 1 kit with a power comander on my 12 street glide ordered it all from Fuel Moto. This made a big difference in the heat comming off the bike.I thought about gutting the cat but that doesnt seperate the exaust gasses from each cylinder or keep the O2 sensors from reading the same fuel mixtures. The head pipes was very easy to change and not that exspensive seemed like it would be more trouble to gut the cat and weld it back together IMHO.