$500 upgrade input please FLHTK
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
$500 upgrade input please FLHTK
I have a stock 2012 Ultra Limited and about $500 to spend on something. I've been reading a lot about doing a Stage 1 with air/fuel/exhaust (pipes at least) and my budget isn't going to get me there right now. I'll probably leave the cat in the head pipe for now as the radiant heat isn't bothering me, and the stock exhaust isn't too bad but a little more rumble may be nice at some point. For now, I'm thinking about just adding a high-flow air cleaner and PC-V due to future flexibility. My thoughts are that this will allow the engine to breath better and maybe cool down a bit. If I do only air/fuel now, what will it do for me performance or economy wise? Would getting decent slipons instead get me more performance & economy for my money? Right now it's one or the other so I'm counting on some wisdom from the board. Thanks.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I am cheep- here's what I would do in your shoes;
1 Arlen ness big sucker intake- the version with the chrome backing plate will complement your black and chrome motor, it is an easy install and uses a reusable, oiled filter ( like K&N, not K&N brand).
under $120 shipped on ebay from easternpc
2. consider having the cat removed from your header- some riders are satisfied with the stock mufflers once the cat is gone- so maybe $100, depending on if you walk the header to a local guy who'll do it for you. Photo tutorial can be found by searching if you can weld.
3.) tuning- for a stage 1 consider nightrider.com XIEDS or VIEDS- about $130 ( if you plan on further engine mods, then you will want a more complex tuning device)
you will then have a useable "stage 1", which will generally result in gains of 7 to 10 horsepower- and $150 left over.
if you are not happy with the sound of the stock mufflers, you can always go to a bike night/dealer BBQ and see what other riders use.
keep in mind that "awesome" pipes may be a bummer if you like the stereo or are 3 hours into an 8 hour ride.
my own 09 FLHTC has the ness intake, XIEDs and a stock ( for 09) no-cat header. I run used Screaming Eagle nightsticks ( tuned) and my out of pocket is about $425.
performance is good, mpg is at 43 vs 44 stock, and at stage 1 reliability is retained.- the nightsticks are a supertrapp tuned disc type muffler and can be about as loud or quiet as the rider chooses- adjustable.
there are plenty of ways to go - some guys drop it off at the dealer for a "stage 1 and tune" costing 3 or 4 times more
IF you are under warranty, you may want to wait until it has expired, rather than void it.
Mike
1 Arlen ness big sucker intake- the version with the chrome backing plate will complement your black and chrome motor, it is an easy install and uses a reusable, oiled filter ( like K&N, not K&N brand).
under $120 shipped on ebay from easternpc
2. consider having the cat removed from your header- some riders are satisfied with the stock mufflers once the cat is gone- so maybe $100, depending on if you walk the header to a local guy who'll do it for you. Photo tutorial can be found by searching if you can weld.
3.) tuning- for a stage 1 consider nightrider.com XIEDS or VIEDS- about $130 ( if you plan on further engine mods, then you will want a more complex tuning device)
you will then have a useable "stage 1", which will generally result in gains of 7 to 10 horsepower- and $150 left over.
if you are not happy with the sound of the stock mufflers, you can always go to a bike night/dealer BBQ and see what other riders use.
keep in mind that "awesome" pipes may be a bummer if you like the stereo or are 3 hours into an 8 hour ride.
my own 09 FLHTC has the ness intake, XIEDs and a stock ( for 09) no-cat header. I run used Screaming Eagle nightsticks ( tuned) and my out of pocket is about $425.
performance is good, mpg is at 43 vs 44 stock, and at stage 1 reliability is retained.- the nightsticks are a supertrapp tuned disc type muffler and can be about as loud or quiet as the rider chooses- adjustable.
there are plenty of ways to go - some guys drop it off at the dealer for a "stage 1 and tune" costing 3 or 4 times more
IF you are under warranty, you may want to wait until it has expired, rather than void it.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 7, 2013 at 02:34 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 120
From: pontotoc ms
:
I am cheep- here's what I would do in your shoes;
1 Arlen ness big sucker intake- the version with the chrome backing plate will complement your black and chrome motor, it is an easy install and uses a reusable, oiled filter ( like K&N, not K&N brand).
under $120 shipped on ebay from easternpc
2. consider having the cat removed from your header- some riders are satisfied with the stock mufflers once the cat is gone- so maybe $100, depending on if you walk the header to a local guy who'll do it for you. Photo tutorial can be found by searching if you can weld.
3.) tuning- for a stage 1 consider nightrider.com XIEDS or VIEDS- about $130 ( if you plan on further engine mods, then you will want a more complex tuning device)
you will then have a useable "stage 1", which will generally result in gains of 7 to 10 horsepower- and $150 left over.
if you are not happy with the sound of the stock mufflers, you can always go to a bike night/dealer BBQ and see what other riders use.
keep in mind that "awesome" pipes may be a bummer if you like the stereo or are 3 hours into an 8 hour ride.
my own 09 FLHTC has the ness intake, XIEDs and a stock ( for 09) no-cat header. I run used Screaming Eagle nightsticks ( tuned) and my out of pocket is about $425.
performance is good, mpg is at 43 vs 44 stock, and at stage 1 reliability is retained.- the nightsticks are a supertrapp tuned disc type muffler and can be about as loud or quiet as the rider chooses- adjustable.
IF you are under warranty, you may want to wait until it has expired, rather than void it.
Mike[/QUOTE]
I am cheep- here's what I would do in your shoes;1 Arlen ness big sucker intake- the version with the chrome backing plate will complement your black and chrome motor, it is an easy install and uses a reusable, oiled filter ( like K&N, not K&N brand).
under $120 shipped on ebay from easternpc
2. consider having the cat removed from your header- some riders are satisfied with the stock mufflers once the cat is gone- so maybe $100, depending on if you walk the header to a local guy who'll do it for you. Photo tutorial can be found by searching if you can weld.
3.) tuning- for a stage 1 consider nightrider.com XIEDS or VIEDS- about $130 ( if you plan on further engine mods, then you will want a more complex tuning device)
you will then have a useable "stage 1", which will generally result in gains of 7 to 10 horsepower- and $150 left over.
if you are not happy with the sound of the stock mufflers, you can always go to a bike night/dealer BBQ and see what other riders use.
keep in mind that "awesome" pipes may be a bummer if you like the stereo or are 3 hours into an 8 hour ride.
my own 09 FLHTC has the ness intake, XIEDs and a stock ( for 09) no-cat header. I run used Screaming Eagle nightsticks ( tuned) and my out of pocket is about $425.
performance is good, mpg is at 43 vs 44 stock, and at stage 1 reliability is retained.- the nightsticks are a supertrapp tuned disc type muffler and can be about as loud or quiet as the rider chooses- adjustable.
IF you are under warranty, you may want to wait until it has expired, rather than void it.
Mike[/QUOTE]
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: utah
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Santa Cruz
The best thing ya can do is a tune! I would blow the wad on a power vision and map from fuelmoto. It's the best out there imho and you can load free maps as ya add A/C, pipe, cams, pistons, whatever... down the road. All the add on tuners are just bandaids and adding A/C and/or pipes without a proper tune is just foolish imho.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
You'll get a million opinions and they'll all have some merit. Here's mine...
An engine cooling fan and a tuner. These are the two things these bikes need more than anything else and I believe of equal importance. Next, as funds permit would be an air cleaner and exhaust if you choose.
You already mention the PCV which is a good choice (that's what I have, I also have the AutoTune) although since the release of the DynoJet Power Vision that's the way I would go today.
An engine cooling fan and a tuner. These are the two things these bikes need more than anything else and I believe of equal importance. Next, as funds permit would be an air cleaner and exhaust if you choose.
You already mention the PCV which is a good choice (that's what I have, I also have the AutoTune) although since the release of the DynoJet Power Vision that's the way I would go today.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 589
From: Running with the gators
[QUOTE=2black1s;11130651]You'll get a million opinions and they'll all have some merit. Here's mine...
An engine cooling fan and a tuner. These are the two things these bikes need more than anything else and I believe of equal importance. Next, as funds permit would be an air cleaner and exhaust if you choose.
You already mention the PCV which is a good choice (that's what I have, I also have the AutoTune) although since the release of the DynoJet Power Vision that's the way I would go today.[/QUOT
On my 2013 Heritage I got three weeks ago the dealer threw in Vance and Hines straight shot slip-on's that ran $265.00. I put in Night Rider FL-Vied-10's and retained the stock A/C. Bike runs fine and I get that better than stock sound. Try listening on youtube to the different bikes and pipes, it may not be live sound but it helps give you an idea which way your thinking.
An engine cooling fan and a tuner. These are the two things these bikes need more than anything else and I believe of equal importance. Next, as funds permit would be an air cleaner and exhaust if you choose.
You already mention the PCV which is a good choice (that's what I have, I also have the AutoTune) although since the release of the DynoJet Power Vision that's the way I would go today.[/QUOT
On my 2013 Heritage I got three weeks ago the dealer threw in Vance and Hines straight shot slip-on's that ran $265.00. I put in Night Rider FL-Vied-10's and retained the stock A/C. Bike runs fine and I get that better than stock sound. Try listening on youtube to the different bikes and pipes, it may not be live sound but it helps give you an idea which way your thinking.