Bigger Headers on 2.5

[Spooled73]

Absolute numbers are good if you can equally compare them. Personally what I like to see are what the gains were relative to baseline.

For example (made up numbers).

• Stock: 140 RWHP (baseline)
• With just a tune: 170 RWHP - 21% increase over stock,
• With header & tune: 182 RWHP - 30% increase over stock, 7% increase over tune alone

So, while I love the headers, incrementally, it doesn't potentially make a lot more than just a tune alone. At the same time, it would likely be the cornerstone to build upon and another ~7% is nothing to sneeze at. So the low-hanging fruit is going with a tune. At the same time, if I go with the headers, I'll need to spend some $$$ on dyno time to get it right or I am leaving HP on the table.

I priced dyno tuning in my area, and I got quotes of a minimum of $500 USD to $1000, depending on the shop I went to. So I'd have to add that into the overall cost. Now if there is a map already that would work with the header for TuneECU then I could save on that expense.

Despite the economics not being as good as I would like, to hit my goal of 200 RWHP, it will likely be necessary. So there is a header about to go in my cart. I am just debating between the stainless or Ti version. I wouldn't mind the few extra pounds weight savings. I am assuming there is no difference in output.

Does anyone make aftermarket cams for the 2.5?

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Not that we have found.

The Viking Exhaust is a good one. My buddy @vsteel received the first production unit for the 2.5L. This exhaust system came with heat shields. The bike had the free Penner tune in already. We could not get an appointment from our dyno tuner in time to go set another Speed Record at Bonneville Salt Flats in August. This shop did not have any openings until late September. We took it to a guy with a dyno who only knows Power Commander tuning. We did the best we could cross referencing his Power Commander changes info it into our TuneECU software. We did manage a 12 HP gain. I forgot how much TQ we gained. I have Viking Exhaust on my 2.3L Rocket. Mine too was the first production of the 1.75 inch piping. I had mine chromed. Very nice. I made my own heat shields out of pre-formed chrome universal heat shields. Turned out OK.

Just installed. No heat shield yet.

With my home made heat shield. Work well. Not so great looking, but OK.

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Here is @vsteel Rocket 3 GT we took to Bonneville with the Viking Exhaust. For the 2.5L bikes it is 2 inch pipes.
We set a record at 154.506 mph. 3000CC MPS-G.

 

[Spooled73]

hi all,
I am looking for an opinion about installing bigger headers on 2.5 rockets, there are two options available right now.
- TTS Performance headers
- Carpenter racing headers

I am wondering if putting big headers will give more HP or not? Assuming that rocket would need a dyno retune once new headers are installed.

Have a look at this video

TTS headers photo :

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Carpenter racing headers exhaust

I know they might not look great right now, but I'm only interested in opinions about how well they perform/HP gain etc, not how they look.

Vandemon in Australia do some nice looking headers also....bit pricey though...

 

[Spooled73]

Vandemon in Australia do some nice looking headers also....bit pricey though...

These are available in stainless as pictured or titanium (a bit lighter)

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

BTW: @sunny did you ever get a new header or complete system ?