Will changing mufflers make a difference?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 264
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Will changing mufflers make a difference?
My latest bike is a '99 E-glide ex cop bike with M@M fuel injection. It has k@n air filter and set of after-market mufflers on it. I' thinking about putting a set of stock mufflers back on it. I don't know if it has had a stage 1 download or anything like that. How could you tell if it did?. But was wondering if anyone thinks changing mufflers would cause any performance issues.,,
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Guessing you are having noise issues.
the stock pipes will restrict some flow through the motor ( compared to what you have now) and you may realize slightly less power at higher speeds especially.
There are hi flow pipes which are not loud- supertrapp supermegs for one.
Mike
the stock pipes will restrict some flow through the motor ( compared to what you have now) and you may realize slightly less power at higher speeds especially.
There are hi flow pipes which are not loud- supertrapp supermegs for one.
Mike
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
You could start digging around to see if there is a tuner of some type anywhere on your bike. I really don't think there is a way to tell if the download has been done until you take it in and let them check. I may be wrong???
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
My 04 when I got it came with an older stage 1 air filter, Vance & Hines straight pipes, and an unknown state of tune. The performance was detectable to me as hitting harder than the one other later model I'd ridden.
Put stock pipes back on it, because I don't like bleeding from my ears.
There was a decrease in performance. I think. It could be simply that the bike doesn't sound as fast now. In any case, the bike has not flipped out or done evil things to itself. It runs and rides just fine.
Put stock pipes back on it, because I don't like bleeding from my ears.
There was a decrease in performance. I think. It could be simply that the bike doesn't sound as fast now. In any case, the bike has not flipped out or done evil things to itself. It runs and rides just fine.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
If you want to change mufflers to reduce noise, there are alternatives. S&S and no doubt other manufacturers make performance mufflers that are also quiet. So you can have your cake AND eat it!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 252
Likes: 3
I have an 03 classic, with a stage one, cams, and a turner and has been professional tuned. I have changed the mufflers a couple times mainly due to reduce noise levels from preformance mufflers. other than the noise reduction there is very little differance if any in actual power loss or gain.For the most part these types of harleys are not hot rods anyway so I have learned that the best thing for me to do is just enjoy the ride not the mods.