New Exhaust And Carb

[GS0248]

I'M LOOKING TO GET LOUD! A GUY AT A CUSTOM BIKE SHOP TELLS ME PIPES AND A S*S CARB SET UP WILL GIVE ME MORE UUMMMP. HE WAS TALKING ABOUT 40 HORSE WORTH OF POWER FOR $900.00. I,M THINKING OF DOING THE PIPES MYSELF TO SAVE SOME CHANGE. CAN ANYBODY RECOMMEND A GOOD SET OF PIPES? I GOT SOME EAGLES ON NOW. BUT MINE SEEMED TAME COMPARED TO SOME BIKES I HEARD AT THIS YEARS AMERICADE IN NY. I WANT TO STAY LEGAL, BUT JUST BARELY. I'M GONNA LET THE SHOP SET UP THE CARB, IM NOT TO SURE ABOUT THAT TASK.

[supersport]

Why all the shouting?

40 horses for $900? Sign me up! It will cost you around $100 per horsepower once you've gotten your initial 10 to 15 from the usual intake and exhaust mods.

To muster an additional 40 ponies you're looking at headwork, cams, carb replacement and or rejet, open element AC, high performance ign. and exhaust mods to say the least. To achieve these desired gains a big bore jug and hi comp piston set may also be in order.

Sorry to burst your bubble but someone is blowing smoke up yer giggy or willing to throw thier money at your bike.

[James]

I'd say 900 bucks to swap your carb and pipes is excessive. I'd find another shop if I was you.

[cox9000]

GS0248,
I pretty much felt the way you do. I was looking for the volume. Then a few guys in this forum educated me on power loss with those loud pipes. I followed their links, did some reading / research on my own and talked to a few shops. I learned that street bikes need "performance" pipes --not "drag" pipes. The reason is power loss in low & mid-range. Have heard V&H longshots or bigshots? To me they sound great but I know there are other good pipes out there.

[GS0248]

thanks guys, I don't believe I'll be looking for drag pipes. Street pipes are my preference. Any suggestions on some good ones? At least louder, if I get more performance I'll consider that a plus. And any input on the S*S carb set up [pros and cons] It supposedly comes with everything needed to R*R from the factory carb. And will supposedly relieve the carb cough associated with Sporty's [very embarrassing at an event] as well as give a good kick in the ass on the take off. [this info is from the $900.00 guy]

[1wildpig]

I use to have a '96 1200 Sportster and it was pretty torqy, just cold shouldered like you said. I sold it before doing any upgrades, but I had a S & S Carb (E) put on my '97 RoadKing and it improved throttle response significantly over the factory carb with a jet kit. Also, I just changed the intermediate (slow) jet, and I now get MORE gas mileage! I went from 35-42 to 41 - 47 mpg. I have to use the enricher a little more than before when it is cold but only for a couple of miles or a few minutes and then it's ready to romp. The jet kit improved the stock carb a lot but the S & S was even better than that. I run Samson performance staggered duals that keep my low end torque and give better performance and sound (but not as loud as straight pipes). You might just go with some slip-ons for more sound and better flow. They are a ton of them on the market, some with removable baffles for more sound when you really want to get loud! I read Hot Rod Bikes magazine and they have had some good articles (with dyno and decibel testing) on pipes and mufflers for sportys and big twins. Good Luck, Ken

[fearnot69]

1wildpig, I'm about to recieve my 2002 RK. I wanted to ask a question. You upgraded to an S&S carb. Does it do well with the stock 88" engines? I thought to go up in carb. you would have to do internal modifications.
My thoughts were to break in the engine, go with a StageI upgrade.(Ness Big Sucker, Thunderjet kit, and Bassanis slipons). From what I understand, to up grade the carb and complete exhaust system you would have to do internal changes. I'm no wrench and this is my first street bike. Just trying not to make a bad decision and be happy with my choices. Thanks in advance. J.T.