G'day,
Just want to ask the question about V & H pipes as to weather the header pipes are stepped for better performance. I would like to get some stagged shotguns but can't find any info on the header pipes. They do make a set of pipes that have stepped header pipes but the mufflers are 3" and the heat shields are 2 1/2" which looses out in the looks department. I know thats it's a lot to ask for, performance and looks, but don't want to spend $ if I am not going to get a performance gain over stock headers and S E mufflers.
Thanks
Stinga
Beeza I used to run all my british bikes with 2 into 1 exhaust systems and they worked a treat, havent tried them on the HD's yet but noticed Ozroder is going with the V&H 2 into 1 on his build. Always liked em and in the the process of digging up more info. Done crashers trick and blew a baffle out of the big radius on the weekend but found it and put it back in, fuggers flog out the bolt holes.
The current V & H Big Shots are 2 into 1 into 2. They call it a power chamber I think and are supposed to perform like 2-1 and they look like straight through twin pipes. I put them on my 07 Fatty and there's no way I'm taking them off. With an SE A/C and Thundermax ECM, it's now an easy breathing machine.
Sorry I've taken a while with the pic, Fat-Boy. You've probably fitted new pipes by now. I've taken these off a couple of times without much trouble. They come with O2 sensor bungs and straight thru baffles but I changed them to what they call "optional quiet baffles" which are plenty loud for me.
That looks hot, thanks for sticking up the pic. I still have the std pipes on my 08 Fatty and will change once I can free up a bit of cash. I'm also interested in the rest of your setup. Thank you for the info.
Thanks for some of the replies but I think the thread has drifted a bit from the original question, but through my net research I think I have answered my own question.
Scotty, you are right in saying that V & H only enhance in the looks depart and not so much in the power dept, unless they have link up pipe between each pipe.
Cobra: Pipes have the same link up pipe or "power chamber" and they look gr8 and sound awesome, nice and deeeeeeeep. They are also around the same price as V & H.
Supertrapp: Advertise that thier pipes are a true stepped performance pipe but they have only one step and that is 1 3/4" header pipe stepped up to 2 1/4" before the muffler, these pipe cost a bit more than V & H and Cobra because they are made out of stainless steel.
Rinehart Cross Back : Now these pipes are a true "3 stepped performance pipe", they go from 1 3/4" header pipe to 1 7/8" mid section pipe then they step up to 2 1/4" before the muffler. Come in either black or chrome for Dyna's from 91 to 08 and the cross over of the rear and front pipe looks sweet, But alas all this come at a cost @ US $900.00 + freight.
The reason that I asked the question in the first place was I have damaged my S & E mufflers and heat shields and I am weighing up my options, so S & S slipon's and new heat shields look like the go.
See ya later
Giddy Outrider,
Checked out the good old US of A Harley forum and did a search on the Rinehart's and come up with some interesting shit. A few blokes had gone the Rinehart road and had them dynoed and the figures that they got weren't much better than a set up with standard header pipes with good slipon's of 2 into 2 systems with the link pipe. Not to mention the difficulty in checking your engine and gear box oil levels. Now I know that there can be a heap variables when running on dyno's with regards to the climatic conditions etc but you can still use them as a GUILD. So it looks like I will be taken the V & H BSS road when money permits.
Thanks all
