Went riding today and something didn't sound/feel right. Then I noticed a small amount of backfiring on decel, something that had gone away with the PCIII install and Dyno tune last fall.

When I got home I found what I suspected, the stock pipes cracked at the Y pipe coming from the rear cylinder.

I had been toying around with installing Vance and Hines True Duals, since I have the Ovals already and am very happy with the quality. I looked at Fulsac and I think I'd rather yankall the old pipes and start new.

Anyway, I'm leaning towards getting the duals this week. The only thing holding me back is a concern I may lose some low end torque, which is very important to me, seeing how I ride 2 up most of the time AND I drive like a teen-ager from zero to 55 then I turn into a geezer again.

Cost is another factor, since I already have the Ovals, I'd rather not go with a complete exhaust system to the tune of $600-$800 bucks. I also don't care too much for the sound of the 2 into 1 systems, although I am tempted by the numbers they generate.

My build is a stock TC88 with a Stage 1 (SE AC, K&N Airfilter, V&H Ovals and PCIII) on a 2005 Road King Classic with 20,000 miles.

I would love any and all input from those who have this set up, particularly any pre and post install HP and Torque numbers.

Thanks for any help you may be able to give.

 

2 into 1 make the most power, however "tru-duals" look the best and sound good. 2 into 1's make around 10-20 more foot pounds of torque on the low end, they are closer on horsepower on the top end. You also lose about 20 pounds of weight off your bike which is like adding horsepower. 2 ways to go faster and have more power, either add horespower or remove weight. I think my Super Trapps sound good, but I like the looks better of "Tru-Duals". I am a horsepower junkie so I went for power over looks.

I bought my Super Trapps for under $400.00 from my local Harley dealer on sale. I chose to buy local in case their was a quality issue and I needed to return for any reason.

 

Check out the Latus HD website..they have an extensive dyno library which probably would include your planned configuration as well as other topics, ie. exhaust, which covers questions like yours. You can also email Mike Stegmann @ Latus your question as well and he will respond directly. Mike recommends V&H slipons (basics,classics or Ovals)& stock headers. They actually produce good power.
I spoke to V&H some weeks ago as I was contemplating the true duals. They admitted a small drop in HP & TQ. It's a question of looks vs nominal performance drop. You will also have to do another dyno to do it right. I am staying with the factoryheaders but got the HD full length exhaust shield as I hate that gap by the right floorboard. I went with with the Ovals & got them thru Eastern Performance (sponsor on this forum). Price & service A-1! Speak to John.
Stay safe.

 

Thanks guys. Great information. Please keep it coming!

 

Here is some info that I've posted in several threads to dispell the myth that 2-1s do better than 2-2s. It all depends on the pipes and tuning. Here is the info:

Here is a link where several 2-1 and 2-2 pipes were tested on a 95" build. Drop down to post 12 and 13. https://www.hdforums.com/m_546476/tm.htm. I put these in order of torque numbers. Thunderheader and Bassani out performed the Supertrapp. Not by a lot, but enough. It also depends on which number you are comparing, torque or HP. For torque Thunderheader 2-1 were king, and for horsepower the Bassani 2-2 outperformed everything. All of the numbers are subjective. Two different people can get very different numbers from the same pipes depending on the controller they chose, the air cleaner (ness, SE, force whider, etc), even the dyno used.

These are maxnumbers, so not sure about the area where theusable power is, but these numbers show that you can get the same performance from 2-1s or 2-2s, with the proper pipes and tuning.I researched several months before going with the V&H true duals, and I already had theSE II slipons. Idid not lose any noticeable power, in fact the acceleration is a lotbetter and theysoundgreat with the balanced exhaust note. I used the PCIII for a while until they upgraded me to the 25 degree injectors and the race version of the HD 25 degree map download. Haven't needed the PCIII since. The PCIII may fine tune it, but gas mileage and performance are great so noneed toadd it back for now.

Additionally, the Duals eliminated the nasty heat of the crossover and look better. I ride two-up a lot with the wife and only have the true dual pipes w/ SEII slip-ons, SE air cleaner, and map and do not have any problems on any size hill, acceleration from stop or passing, or speed (105+ with no problems). So no need to waste money for more cubic inches when it does all that I need it to do, besides the max speed limit on any road here is 70mph.

 

if you were happy the way your bike was..... then check with your dealer about some take off stock head pipes they cant be that much
or you can get a set of vh td for under $350.00
i like and have tried the vh td with python so but i now have the rh td and really like them
get what you really want the first time not like me

good luck

shawn

 

i have the v&h true dual bigshots. i did not notice any decrease in low end performance. might be there if i put it on a dyno, but i don't feel it, thats the important thing. i really like how the true dual cleans up the area behind your rear cylinder on the right side. thats just awesome. oh, and got my exhaust from zanottis, was 530 but i had 50 bucks in 'chrome cash' so i'm a happy camper.