How to open 2003 V-Rod stock mufflers? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

emirharley · 07-28-2008, 04:07 PM

Hi folks and I hope you will not mind my question, since I am Road King Classic rider.

Actually, this is one question on behalf of my friend who rides 2003 V-Rod with STOCK mufflers. So, since we live here in Bosnia, we can not just go to shop and buy any muffler(s) we want, since there are NO Harley shops/dealers in Bosnia.

So, my friend would like to OPEN his stock mufflers in order to have louder sound, so I would like to kindly ask for your support: what is he supposed to do in order to open 2003 V-Rod stock mufflers? Just to punch 'em is not enough, I would like to have precise explanation.

Thank you very much in advance.

P.S.
I suppose that this question has already been asked several times, so maybe you could pass me a link for the related thread on this Forum.

rjrivero · 07-30-2008, 03:55 PM

There is a procedure for removing the inner baffle in the stock mufflers. It was originally done by V-Mod.com and has been adopted by many V-Rod Riders.

The 2003 V-Rod requires drilling out the end of the exhaust with a hole saw. Then you need to take the mufflers off and drill out the intake part of the exhaust with a hole saw and you just pull the baffles out.

You will need to do somekind of fuel management with this modification, as you will end up putting lots more flow through this exhaust, and you'll need to match your fuel intake as well.

A power commander, or pulse width modulator, like the techlusion box, or similar device will be needed.

A race tuner can be used, but for just an exhaust modification, may be overkill.

A power point presentation is available. Link Here.

emirharley · 07-31-2008, 03:44 AM

rjrivero, thank you very much. This is exactly what I was looking for on behalf of my friend. I have just passed him this information. Also, since I am fully aware that some kind of recalibration has to be done, I am about to discuss this issue with him, too.

On the another hand, recalibration is an issue when you install aftermarket mufflers AND aftermarket air filter. When you install ONLY aftermarlket mufflers (or "open" your mufflers) recalibration is not a must, but I will definitely suggest my friend to install DFO or PCIII toy.

Thanks again.

rjrivero · 07-31-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emirharley

rjrivero, thank you very much. This is exactly what I was looking for on behalf of my friend. I have just passed him this information. Also, since I am fully aware that some kind of recalibration has to be done, I am about to discuss this issue with him, too.

On the another hand, recalibration is an issue when you install aftermarket mufflers AND aftermarket air filter. When you install ONLY aftermarlket mufflers (or "open" your mufflers) recalibration is not a must, but I will definitely suggest my friend to install DFO or PCIII toy.

Thanks again.

That is COMMON dogma, and it's wrong. I had a PCIII on my v-rod, and decided to use a TwinscanII plus with wideband 02 sensors and engine monitoring software. I can tell you, if you remove that baffle, and don't tune your EFI, you'll lean out your Air/Fuel Ratio significantly. 16.0 and worse in some places.

I ran this very pipe combination with a stock air filter, and found it almost unrideable in the lower RPM range. Not to mention seriously LEAN under cruising and part throttle position.

I then loaded the 2003 SE map for SE air filter and SE slipfit mufflers and also found it to be significantly LEAN. It was common dogma that you could run the SE "flash" and be good to go with this "V-Mod" style pipe. It just isn't so.

I have all the twinscan data to back it up, if you care to sift through it all.

emirharley · 07-31-2008, 05:45 PM

First of all, thank you very much for taking care, I appreciate that.

So, today we have "reconstructed" mufflers based on instructions that you posted. Since we have another one friend with 2003 V-Rod and V-Rod H-D Screamin' Eagle mufflers (so we can compare the sound), our first impression is that this type of sound that comes from "opened" mufflers is louder and not as "deep" as the sound of V-Rod SE mufflers. All in all, my friend is satisfied with the result.

Related to the recalibration, I have to admit that you have 100% right and I am fully aware that I am wrong. Why I said that recalibration was not a must, do not ask me, maybe I am trying to "close one eye".

So, since I am fully aware that my friend's 2003 V-Rod needs recalibration, I was about to suggest a DFO.

Please tell me what exactly do you have on your mind? What kind of recalibration exactly you recommend?

Thanks.

rjrivero · 07-31-2008, 11:07 PM

The cheapest way to go is a Techlusion Fuel Integrator, or Race FUELER, or other Pulse Width modulator type device.

The Power Commander has multiple maps available, and if you'd like, I can post one that is acceptable for the 2003 VRSCA.

If your freind decides to go with an older style race tuner, I have a map for that system that will work just fine, as well.

Really, it's up to him which device he can get at the most reasonable price.

For a simple pipe swap, any will be sufficient. Each has their benefit, and each has their drawbacks.

If it were me, I would choose the device that has the best local suport system, so I'm not left in the cold when it comes time to trouble shoot my setup.

emirharley · 08-01-2008, 02:52 AM

Yes, the key words are "local support" since we have no H-D dealer or anything of that kind here in Bosnia, so I think that RevTech DFO is the thing to go with. We can adjust this toy by ourself, and side by side with that, there is excellent on line support on their Forum www.dobeckperformance.com. I use RevTech DFO on my bike and I am very pleased with the results.

Once more, thanks and especially thank you for your PM with links, too.