Exhaust system

[starrider1946]

Does anyone run the Empi 3709 headers? This what I have on my Roadhawk but I would consider switching. The baffles rattle on both sides. I read in a review on Amazon and the guy said there way no way to tighten them up. Has anyone experienced this?<br />
Mine don't look that good and I would get some new ones especially with this rattling deal. Any recommends?

[stinger608]

Honestly, them type of exhaust are made especially for single carburetor engines. They don't really work very well with dual carbs.

With dual carbs, they tend to be tougher to balance and the pipes really aren't very well made or of equal lengths.

I would suggest a "merged" header. All pipes are equal length giving a balanced exhaust which makes it easier to adjust and set the carburetors and sound great.

Here is the one that I currently have:
http://carcraftstore.com/mergeexhaustsystem.aspx

To quiet the system down, I installed the Phat Boy muffler:
http://carcraftstore.com/premiumphat...eaderonly.aspx


However, and this is very important!!! I was using a full flow oil pump like this one:
http://carcraftstore.com/oilfilterpumps.aspx


The above exhaust WILL NOT fit using that type of full flow oil filter. I had to end up getting a remote mounting type oil pump cover in order to use that merged header!!

However, it was worth it in the long run. It increased my performance quite a bit. Also sounds a ton better than them dual horn type exhaust.

Kind of neat; I can run the Phat Boy muffler for times I am going on a road trip but if I just want to mess around town or make some short runs, I can unbolt the muffler and toss on the stinger that doesn't have a baffle.



loud as hell, but a hoot as I get a ton of looks........Maybe they are pissed due to being so loud, but I have fun with it.

[starrider1946]

Mine does have the full flow oil filter so I couldn't use that type exhaust. I am satisfied with what I have if I can just get the rattle out. I read on Amazon where a guy bought the same thing I have and he said there was no way to tighten up the baffles. If I can get my baffles out I will figure out something. Right now I can't figure out a way to get them out. I have been spraying them with penetrating oil but I am sure they have never been out so they are really in there. I have hit the pipes with a dead blow hammer with vice grips clamped on the inside of the baffle and tried to turn the baffle but no luck. I wonder if I put some heat on the baffle would help.
I really like the way my exhaust looks. Are there any other exhaust similar to this that are good. I wouldn't mind a set with mufflers. I am to old for loud noise.

lol I just want something that looks and sounds good and doesn't make noise. Any suggestions.

Honestly, them type of exhaust are made especially for single carburetor engines. They don't really work very well with dual carbs.

With dual carbs, they tend to be tougher to balance and the pipes really aren't very well made or of equal lengths.

I would suggest a "merged" header. All pipes are equal length giving a balanced exhaust which makes it easier to adjust and set the carburetors and sound great.

Here is the one that I currently have:
http://carcraftstore.com/mergeexhaustsystem.aspx

To quiet the system down, I installed the Phat Boy muffler:
http://carcraftstore.com/premiumphat...eaderonly.aspx


However, and this is very important!!! I was using a full flow oil pump like this one:
http://carcraftstore.com/oilfilterpumps.aspx


The above exhaust WILL NOT fit using that type of full flow oil filter. I had to end up getting a remote mounting type oil pump cover in order to use that merged header!!

However, it was worth it in the long run. It increased my performance quite a bit.

Also sounds a ton better than them dual horn type exhaust.

Kind of neat; I can run the Phat Boy muffler for times I am going on a road trip but if I just want to mess around town or make some short runs, I can unbolt the muffler and toss on the stinger that doesn't have a baffle.

loud as hell, but a hoot as I get a ton of looks........Maybe they are pissed due to being so loud, but I have fun with it.

[Loner]

For the type exhaust you are using, the best rattle adjustment is generally a dead blow aimed at driving them inward a slight amount. Actually this sounds like it would block your attempts to get the baffles out, but it just might loosen the binding rust on the baffles and make them easier to remove. If you get them out, in addition to cleaning them, get a bit of #2 steel wool roll (from most hardware stores) and wrap each baffle tightly as you reinstall them. You may have to experiment with how much steel wool you can get in, but it will definitely quieten your exhaust note.

A second method that I've used successfully is to get two 'peashooter' exhaust tips for a stock VW muffler (the two chrome tips that stick out under the apron on a stock bug). Cut each one in half, and lightly drive the good half of each into the baffle outlets. That will leave the finished tip out and extending a couple of inches from the baffles. You only need the chopped down peashooter inserted enough to force the final exhaust through it. This will be ultimate quiet that you will get with those pipes, but it will definitely dampen the power output of the engine due to the added backpressure. Also, you may need to shorten each new tip a bit at a time if it seems the motor is subject to too much back pressure (so don't secure them in the pipes until you are finished experimenting).

Third possibility is to cut the muffler part of the exhaust off just behind where the pipes merge and where the diameter is at about 2-1/2". Then get two stock HD mufflers that are noted for their quiet note (you pick) and weld them in at the cut-off point on the exhaust. It will work best if you look carefully chop the business end of the HD muffler at an appropriate diameter to mate will with the pipes.

Exhaust systems are something that I have experimented with for many years because I am a believer in quieter is better.

But since the aftermarket exhausts that we use on VW trikes are generally geared to dune buggies they generally aren't concerned much with dampening their noise output. So I've had a great time modifying the different styles that I've used.

[starrider1946]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will do the first one and try that . Like you said it may would loosen it up and help get it out. I'd love to be able to put them in and take them out without a whole lot of trouble. Like you said I could experiment with the steel wool. I'll post the results. Thanks again.

For the type exhaust you are using, the best rattle adjustment is generally a dead blow aimed at driving them inward a slight amount. Actually this sounds like it would block your attempts to get the baffles out, but it just might loosen the binding rust on the baffles and make them easier to remove. If you get them out, in addition to cleaning them, get a bit of #2 steel wool roll (from most hardware stores) and wrap each baffle tightly as you reinstall them. You may have to experiment with how much steel wool you can get in, but it will definitely quieten your exhaust note.

A second method that I've used successfully is to get two 'peashooter' exhaust tips for a stock VW muffler (the two chrome tips that stick out under the apron on a stock bug).

Cut each one in half, and lightly drive the good half of each into the baffle outlets. That will leave the finished tip out and extending a couple of inches from the baffles. You only need the chopped down peashooter inserted enough to force the final exhaust through it. This will be ultimate quiet that you will get with those pipes, but it will definitely dampen the power output of the engine due to the added backpressure. Also, you may need to shorten each new tip a bit at a time if it seems the motor is subject to too much back pressure (so don't secure them in the pipes until you are finished experimenting).

Third possibility is to cut the muffler part of the exhaust off just behind where the pipes merge and where the diameter is at about 2-1/2". Then get two stock HD mufflers that are noted for their quiet note (you pick) and weld them in at the cut-off point on the exhaust. It will work best if you look carefully chop the business end of the HD muffler at an appropriate diameter to mate will with the pipes.

Exhaust systems are something that I have experimented with for many years because I am a believer in quieter is better. But since the aftermarket exhausts that we use on VW trikes are generally geared to dune buggies they generally aren't concerned much with dampening their noise output. So I've had a great time modifying the different styles that I've used.