| Author | Message | ||
     Silas_clone |
I "won" another EBAY item...for $50 I got a race pipe with a few small dings. Now that I have it, why is it better than a regular pipe? Is it cause you can use different mufflers? Anyway, I got it. Tell me how to make it make my M2 better. [I hope it ain't bent] | ||
| Garrett1998s1 |
 That sounds way to much like me . ( I GOT IT!!!! I GOT IT!!! now what???) (Message edited by garrett1998s1 on February 17, 2006) | ||
| Tsispyder |
if you dont have a race header your screwed anyways, how i understand it (Message edited by tsispyder on February 17, 2006) | ||
| Silas_clone |
It is the race header. But what makes it racey? It looks like the regular header, just wraps around the primary a bit. Might be stainless? | ||
| Essthreetee |
I THINK (not sure) that the RACE header curves around the front and aims directly towards the rear (bend is part of header). Where the stock stops and in front and the muffler has the bend. Again...I THINK...I could be (probably) wrong. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Jason; I believe you're right, and because I welded a full 2 1/2 inch curved section to my stock header so I could use various straight mufflers with 2 1/2 inch inlets have I accomplished basically the same thing as a race header? Maybe. Anybody else want to chime in here? Thanks much, Bob and original poster, Silas | ||
| Silas_clone |
S3, the race header does look as you have described, but the pipes are longer and wrap around the primary before they junction into the collector. Bob, what muffler's have you tried? | ||
| Bob_thompson |
John (Silas), just one so far and I'm pleased with it. An inexpensive straight through fiberglass packed 2/1/2 in and out that I've added a quieting diffuser to at the outlet. I also like the new Moroso spiral flow from Jegs for $47.00. But performance wise no need to change yet. Bob | ||
| Formerslimjim |
If the header doesn't come with the shoe, you will have to buy one from American Sport Bike or make one similar. For a muffler D&D and Supertrapp make ones that bolt right on the race header. They are in the $300 range though. The Moroso spiral flow is the way to go if you can make up a couple brackets. It flows better than a glass pack and has nothing that can blow out. Summit Racing also sells them. | ||
| Silas_clone |
FROM THE GUY WHO SOLD IT TO ME... According to Erik Buell himself, the Pro Series pipes are about a foot longer than the factory pipes. When I say that I mean the actual two separate pipes coming off the heads. As you can see, the original pipe only comes down to a point in front of the engine where it meets the collector. The race pipe comes around the front and starts to point back before it meets the collector, hence the extra length. This extra length, on the Buell factory dyno, provided the maximum horsepower/torque ability of their 1203 V-twins which occurred at 6800 RPM... COMMENTS? | ||
| Buellistic |
"HINT": 6800 RPM is where you shift !!! Look at the header length of the XBRR !!! | ||
| Captainkirk |
If you don't think longer primaries make a difference... Ride it & see!  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I think the non-race headers were not optimum for power because they were routed to roast your leg less. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Longer primary pipes will generally move the torque peak lower in an engine's rpm range (everything else being equal). The race header's longer primaries were obviously designed to work with a muffler with much less back pressure than stock; the longer length keeps the torque peak in the optimum range with this reduction in back pressure. Adding a 2 1/2 curved extension to the stock header collector won't give you benefits of longer primaries. The primary pipes of the race headers (on 99-02 bikes) don't heat your leg any more than the stock header. They are identical until you get to the collector area. I've have a race kit on my 2000 M2 but didn't want to use the race kit stainless steel muffler. The race kit muffler weighs significantly more than the V&H I was running with the stock header, so modified the V&H to work with race header. I cut the 90 degree elbow off, expanded the inlet pipe to slip over the header collector, and trimmed 2 1/8" off the front of the V&H body to get it to fit in the stock location. I also had to trim the perforated core to work with the shorter muffler length. Hopefully, this significant weight reduction will help the notoriously crack prone race header stay intact. I haven't weighed it yet, but the modified V&H feels like it weighs less than half of the race muffler. I doubt I gained any real performance by using the V&H over the race muffler, but I think it may be more reliable over the long run (or maybe not). I'll post some pics of this soon. I just did the muff mods this weekend and haven't started the bike yet. I'd be interested in any information if anyone has tried this yet. I certainly couldn't be the first... | ||
| Bluzm2 |
One of he issues of having the "race header" stock was EPA noise regulations. The longer runner length causes the collector to be located below the left side of the motor. That doesn't leave much room for a "EPA compliant" muffler. Because of the reduced length, they are noisier. Same reason the Helmzhold was used on the intake tract. | ||
| Sloppy |
The race header eliminates the dip in the torque curve that stock bikes had at mid rpm. I am VERY happy with my header. The bad news is that you have to use the shoe and Buell race kit muffler (or D&D?). The shoe breaks periodically and the Buell race kit muffler needs re-packing. When you change out your header, use SE exhaust gaskets rather than the stock gaskets. The SE's don't leave an obstruction in the port. | ||
| Silas_clone |
Well geez, maybe this was a good purchase? | ||
| Buellbozo |
Silas, Repacking that V&H every now and then startin' to look simpler...lol  | ||
| Silas_clone |
Greg, yeah I gotta admit that this is starting to become quite a journey. I think that I will eventually try the racepipe/Moroso setup |
