Aftermarket Headers

[frostedflakejake]

Hi all!
So this coming summer I'll have around $1000 to throw at the Buell and i was thinking of some performance upgrades since i pretty much have the bike how i want it. I have a 2010 xb12ss with a GB muffler. I haven't done an ECM tune yet and I'm fully aware of the complexity, but I still intend on doing one this coming may. (when i get out of school). For the $1000, I was considering getting after market headers. The main ones that popped up were the Free Spirit headers. Couldn't find much about them in terms of reviews out there on the web, especially from someone matching them with a different aftermarket muffler. Anyone have any advice or experience? I'm mainly looking for a solid performance upgrade near the $1000 mark and so far I got to headers. Thought about the gearing kit that utilizes the xb9 gearing... I'm mainly looking for a large upgrade.

If not, that's okay! I can easily drop a grand into gear and other odd ends!

thanks!
~jake

[dallasb]

If you don't have gear my vote is to drop it in that first. Free spirits are very nice headers but they will run around 1500 so not sure if that is out of your price range. If your not afraid to tear down your motor you can drop a 9 piston in it for more compression. IIRC you can also drop new fuel injectors from either ford or GM (not sure which) to squeeze some more power out. Give Randy Hawk a call his xb12, he knows his stuff and has done the mods that I suggested above. If you want to do a custom tune I would suggest attending Octo's webinar here. (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/Tuning-Sessions) He has a DDFI3 as well and can explain in detail the correct way to tune your bike.

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

gear and gearing(6speed) & tuning[up][up]
if your looking for more HP & TQ, then save some more money than look here.

YeZ1HpqpDfw

.revperf.com/XB9-XB12 (http://www.revperf.com/XB9-XB12/XBHome.html#)

zippersperformance (http://www.zippersperformance.com/catalogue/listproducts.asp?cat=853)

jetroadracing.com (http://www.jetroadracing.com/index.html)

[delta one]

I'm with native, a little headwork will go a long way.
So will pistons to raise your compression.

[frostedflakejake]

Oh I didn't mean to make it sound like I don't have gear, but I could always get more :)

I can get the headers, 45mm, for around $1,210 which is right in my price range =]

And i am slightly against tearing the motor apart since it only has 2,500 miles on it. But if the deal is good and the upgrade is legitimate I'm game for anything! And i've talked to Randy before! He's a great guy and helped me out when i did my own cheese-grater chop! Thanks for the heads up, I may be e-mailing him again soon!

Any other ideas? Thanks a bunch!

[frostedflakejake]

hmm.. so I'm going to get a little off-topic on my own thread, but what do you guys think about this? http://www.technoresearch.com/Products/Direct-Link/Direct_Link_Pricing.htm

Would this yield the same results as a me tuning the ecm using the cable and tuner pro? i'm pretty sure the last time i checked, octo charged around $129 for a personal online tuning job and then the cable is around $20 putting it around $150. The unit in the link is $200 so if it yields the same results I'd be extremely interested in it!

The mentioned six speed gearing sounds awesome, i'll look into that, and links you uys can provide?
Thanks!

[d_adams]

I can get the headers, 45mm, for around $1,210 which is right in my price range =]

This is the same size as stock xb 12 headers, isn't it? 1.75" x 2.54 = 44.45 mm.

Xb 9 headers are 1.5" or 38.1 mm. The outlet on both is 2" with the exception of some European models, correct?

[Thaloc]

Port and polish. New pistons IMHO.

[delta one]

Octo tuning session is more than just tuning your ECM, it's teaching you how to do it yourself, every time you mod you need a retune, $200x 5 retunes is $1,000 or octos class once with free lifetime support is still just $150

A 6 speed is not an option for an XB as of yet, just the tubers.

Headers may get you 2-3hp port and polish with pistons will cost less and probably get you 10-15 maybe more if you cam it too

Dollar per hp is better with engine work, the bike isn't that restricted through the headers anyway, you don't need better headers until after you do internals

[frostedflakejake]

okay, Port and Polish Pistons sounds good... unfortunately i haven't a clue what that means. Would that involve a DIY mod or are you saying to buy different pistons? If i change the pistons and the cam, how would that effect the heads, valves, and other internals? I would like to do those hp increasing mods but i don't want to suffer the reliabilty of the bike. So will doing the pistons and cams interfer with the rest of the motor?

And from what i understand, the Direct Link ecm thingy that i linked to before allows you to custom tune your own exhaust. I would assume it makes it more user friendly then doing it by yourself since it comes with software. That way i could tune the exhaust myself each time just as if i had learned from octo! Is any of what i just said correct? ha

[delta one]

No idea about that tuner Because I have never used direct link but the software octo will teach you to use is free online, it's called ECM spy and was created by a Buell enthusiast that knows his stuff.

There is no DIY for a port and polish
Send out your heads to get milled Making the valve holes bigger installing bigger valves cleaning up the metal to smooth it out and reduce turbulence in airflow, it will commonly come with new valve springs too, if you tell them he cam and pistons you intend to use they will match the headwork to your build.

[thunderstormgrowl]

Before you start doing internal mods, google red white and buell. trackdaymag.com did a project bike and it has around 6 parts to the article, and part 4 I think gives a breakdown on a lot of mods that you can do, but it also talks about the possible problems that you can run into with many of the mods, such as problems with the seals on the big bore kits. More just an FYI and maybe some ideas for you to think about. Good luck and I am excited to see what you come up with.

[Loki]

6speed hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm:D

[frostedflakejake]

I was actually under the impression that Octo used TunerPro more than ecm spy, either way i have both! =]

So if i find a local shop (shouldn't be too hard in Detroit) to mill out my heads, you then suggest also getting valves, valve springs, cams, and pistons correct? Im currently looking at the NRHS website and this is in the description of the cams they offer for the XB's:

"Red Shift has now configured their extremely successful XL cam profiles for the XB gearcase! These cams work tremendously well with head work and matching intake and exhaust modifications"

What do they mean about matching intake and exhaust modifications?

So if you don't mind, can you see if im looking at the right products?

Heads: Custom job through local shop, price unknown

Valves: 7mm Hurricane valves from NRHS $26.00Here (http://www.nrhsperformance.com/partsvalvetrain.shtml)

Valve Springs: Hurricane Spring and Retainer Kit. They offer three of them that differ in seat pressure, what does that mean? Here (http://www.nrhsperformance.com/partsvalvetrain.shtml). Either way, its around $170.00

Pistons: Hurricane Pistons. they offer four for a Buell thunderstorm 15 degree dome. I figure those will work with our motor? What bore and compression ratio combos do i have? Link here (http://www.nrhsperformance.com/partspistons.shtml) $310.95

Camshafts: Red Shift Camshafts from NRHS for a xb. No idea which ones to get. here (http://www.nrhsperformance.com/partscamshafts.shtml) $440.00 or $585.00 depending on whether they modify my cams or i get new ones outright.

So if i add that all up...its around $950 without the bore of the heads. Im just fine with that! Boring out the heads shouldn't be more than $500 right? Anything im missing that i would need? Still uneasy about modding existing motor parts, i would probably get the new camshaft outright and i guess i would just have to go out of my comfort zone on the heads.

[anrkizm95]

you need to pick a good shop in you area or an online one.tell them what kind of mods you have done or are going to do other than engine work.decide what kind of hp and torque gains you want.ask what the cons are like heat issues on hot days,larger oil cooler,how will this work affect engine life,will you be ok running a 91 octane fuel.a good shop will be able to tell you what pistons,head work,cams and valves fit your needs and expectations.i dont recomend pieceing parts togeather from different sources.the three links posted by nativexb are all top notch.

[delta one]

I want to do the stage 2 lite heads from NHRS

its everything but cams



NRHS is proud to announce our newest stage of headwork, We call it stage 2 light. You still get the same great CNC porting that our regular stage 2 kits come with plus our stainless Hurricane 7mm valves in 1.840 Intake and 1.615 exhaust sizes. But we have found that when using cams with lifts of .550 or less that the new beehive spring kits from HD work excellent. By using these springs you not only save money but also eliminate the need for rocker box clearancing and put less strain on the valvetrain components. The perfect choice for cams such as SE 551, SE536 and Andrews N4s. Available for XB, 04 1200 and Thunderstorm head

$800 bucks and shipping both way for your heads

add some pistons and moderate cam and have fun.

wild cams will take milling into your cases and may put you beyond pump gas ability.

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

i think with your lack of knowledge of all this, you should take a motorcycle(or at least automotive or a small engine class) engine shop class at your local Vocational tech school to get your self acquainted with the things you have NO clue about .

and go down to the book store, and pickup some books on engines, & motorcycles, good starter is,
HD BUELL engine book (http://books.google.com/books?id=cM9AIiKWTaAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=harley+sportster+buell+engine+book&source=bl&ots=-LnAXu1m5b&sig=9F83WhiByOYrK_NfVbpj1T3eOFY&hl=en&ei=YAUlTYPzAcaAlAfxtrihAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDMQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=harley%20sportster%20buell%20engine%20book&f=false)

-Sportster-Buell-Engine-Hop-Up (http://www.amazon.com/Harley-Davidson-Sportster-Buell-Engine-Hop-Up/dp/192913309X)

http://rexonavn.com/buell-engines-manual.html

Engine-Builders-Handbook-Tom-Monroe (http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Builders-Handbook-Tom-Monroe/dp/1557882452)

http://www.themotorbookstore.com/shopman.html

Buell Service Manual (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.m748&item=160527350346&viewitem=&_trkparms=clkid%3D6163927771486281316) also at top of page

also do alot more research and read read

read here on Buellxb.com there is alot you can learn. not trying to be an ass just trying to help you out some.

continue to ask what you dont know about , Contrary to popular belief there really is no stupid or dumb question, if you dont ask you wont learn.


, we here at BUELLXB.com will help you as much as we can alot of us here have good knowledge and alot also have good experience on buells.
welcome to the family. good luck.

[frostedflakejake]

Alright will do.
Thanks Native!