Screamin' Beagle Pipes

[weidauer]

I have an '08 Ultra with a totally stock engine save for a K&N air filter. I'm thinking about putting on the HD Screaming Eagle touring pipes to add a little more sound, with the full realization that there's not a lot of performance gain. I'm not looking for obnoxiously loud; would just like to get some more of that patented HD rumble without going over the top sound-wise, and without adding a new computer to mess with the mixture. Right now it runs awesome, gets 45+ MPG, and I'll leave it alone if all the new pipes will net me is more noise and less power or gas mileage.

Any thoughts on this? I really don't care that much about bumping up power; yes, it's a pig, but it's comfy and does the job. I'm getting ready to take a 2,000 mile trip in a couple of weeks, and would love any feedback on sound, the increase in noise, and any other thoughts.

TIA,
Jeff

[1KPerDay]

I believe the NEW (past couple of years or so) screamin' eagle pipes are DOT approved... so they'll not be overly loud. Just make sure you check with your dealer or look in the catalog for the appropriate symbol that says they're road approved (you don't want ones that say "race or closed course use only" for example). If you have your dealer do it they'll probably insist on an EFI "re-flash" or something for hundreds of bucks. Ask around a harley forum and see what you can get away with without a reflash or loss in fuel economy. I imagine you can probably run dot pipes with stock filter/air cleaner housing and FI and be fine, but don't quote me on that.

BTW on a 2000 mile trip you'll probably be grateful for the stock pipes' quieter sound... loud pipes can wear you out on long rides.

[atadaskew]

I wouldn't go that route.  The current SE pipes sound barely different than the stockers. But the engine will run a bit leaner and as it's already crazy lean that is not a good idea.  It does run very hot, you just may not realize this, and that will affect the longevity of the motor over the long run.
I recently went over the same thing, but my issue was that I was not concerned with the sound (even though that eventually was a by product), but I wanted the motor to run cooler as it should.  If I were you I would do what Chornbe pointed me to.  Get a Vance and Hines FuelPak, get a freer flowing filter kit (like the SE from Harley), and for that extra sound get some Vance and Hines slipons with the QUIET baffle!  The quiet baffle still is louder and nicer sounding than the SE slipons, but not 'loud'.
The FuelPak is really really simple to add, just a plug in and the Vance and Hines site even has a video showing how to do it.  Adding the SE airfilter kit is again a really simple bolt on.  And so are the pipes.
If you just add the SE pipes, you will be disappointed.
Also, I got all my stuff off ebay (new in box) for a lot less than dealer prices.  The FuelPak was $210-ish (MSRP is about $270), the pipes were about $200 also (MSRP $280).

I know I know all you want is a bit of extra rumble, but if you are going to do it just for a teeny bit extra effort you can really help out your engine.

[1KPerDay]

But that cooling fuel will probably affect your mileage, IMO.

[atadaskew]

But that cooling fuel will probably affect your mileage, IMO.

Maybe, but if an engine is not running as effectively as it is designed to do, then mileage may also be restricted.
Case in point, my Duc St4s with stock pipe/tuning would get about 42-45mpg depending on mood.  Now with the much freer flowing DP pipes and tuning, I see 45-52mpg.  Plus it has more of a kick.

With my Dyna, I'll hafta see...

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, let us know how it works out. I assume you have accurate mileage avgs from before the swap?

[atadaskew]

Yeah, let us know how it works out. I assume you have accurate mileage avgs from before the swap?

Yeah. Umm. Sure. Ahhh, something like, ummm, 38mpg.  But the motor is still breaking in.

[Baz]

My bet is you will get slightly worse mileage. Better flowing pipes will cause to to run leaner, and a reflash will result in more fuel being dumped into the engine to compensate.

Will it run stronger? Yes. Will you get better fuel mileage. I would bet no, but it may not be that much worse.

[atadaskew]

I hear ya, but like I say, my Duc runs stronger and gets better mpg with the freer flowin pipes (and FI to match).  it's because it was originally designed to run like that, not get strangled down.  I have a feeling that the 96 motor in the Harley is even more so like that.
We'll see.

[weidauer]

Thanks all for the insights and advice. I think I'll wait a bit and think it over; probably end up with the Chornbe solution. Riding from Boise to Little Rock next weekend, so after that little jaunt I'll see if I really want it louder.

[chornbe]

The mileage on my 'glide is very good after the mods as long as I keep the throttle light. If I twist it up, the mileage sucks. Just be aware.

HD SE air cleaner
Vance & Hines true duals
Stock 2001 Road King mufflers (mellower rumble than the later ones)
Vance & Hines FuelPak fueler