VFR Discussion Group -> stock exhaust mod results

Hey all,

Yesterday, I drilled a 1" hole in each exhaust can, and sawed back the ends of the four exit pipes. Here are the results:

(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1112578392/gallery_2490_210_35838.jpg)
disassembled

(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1112578392/gallery_2490_210_61508.jpg)
reassembled

Sound before:  before1.wav ( 328.47k ) Number of downloads: 589


Sound after:  after1.wav ( 263.86k ) Number of downloads: 619



Notes:
>Sorry, the sound is not great. I just used a basic laptop/microphone setup. The constant revs you hear near the end of each recording are at 6k rpms. Also, the bike was not completely warmed up in either recording (lack of patience :rolleyes: )
>I plan on getting an aftermarket exhaust in the near future, so I didn't bother coating the end caps.
>In my opinion, it's not really any louder, just a deeper/better sound. Without earplugs, at highway cruising speeds, I still hear more wind noise than engine/exhaust noise in my tight-fitting helmet.
>I didn't feel any power/response difference during a short 15 minute eval ride.
>Yes, the garage floor does need to be painted :P

vandy91298, Apr 4 2005, 01:55 PMHey all,

Yesterday, I drilled a 1" hole in each exhaust can, and sawed back the ends of the four exit pipes.  Here are the results:

(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1112578392/gallery_2490_210_35838.jpg)
disassembled 

(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1112578392/gallery_2490_210_61508.jpg)
reassembled 

Sound before:  before1.wav ( 328.47k ) Number of downloads: 589


Sound after:  after1.wav ( 263.86k ) Number of downloads: 619



Notes:
>Sorry, the sound is not great.  I just used a basic laptop/microphone setup.  The constant revs you hear near the end of each recording are at 6k rpms.  Also, the bike was not completely warmed up in either recording (lack of patience  :rolleyes: )
>I plan on getting an aftermarket exhaust in the near future, so I didn't bother coating the end caps.
>In my opinion, it's not really any louder, just a deeper/better sound.  Without earplugs, at highway cruising speeds, I still hear more wind noise than engine/exhaust noise in my tight-fitting helmet.
>I didn't feel any power/response difference during a short 15 minute eval ride.
>Yes, the garage floor does need to be painted  :P

]

Damn! That sounds nice! I might have to go out and do that today. :D

One question.....WHY? did you gain any performance? or is this just a sound issue....

It's to get a deeper sound for cheap. Check out this thread.

yep - just lookin' for a little better sound on the cheap

vandy91298, Apr 4 2005, 08:43 AMyep - just lookin' for a little better sound on the cheap

That's cool if its the sound that you want, ................ but I wouldn't be surprised if it drops the performance ........but it's your bike, so enjoy...........

last_train, Apr 4 2005, 08:55 AMThat's cool if its the sound that you want,  ................ but I wouldn't be surprised if it drops the performance ........but it's your bike, so enjoy...........

I did a similar mod to my exhaust soley for sound reasons. There is no noticable increase or decrease in performance.

tyrroneous, Apr 4 2005, 09:11 AMI did a similar mod to my exhaust soley for sound reasons.  There is no noticable increase or decrease in performance.

well depending on your skill as a rider and how you ride, performance drops are not always something you can feel riding around town on the road, how is your gas mileage before and after.
There are several things I would be concerned about with this modification. to name just two:
1. is the fact that this now is an open hole into the canister (no baffle tube) which can allow water to enter the pipes and shorten the life of the entire exhaust.
2. you have changed the airflow pressure created in the exhaust which can also cause a madrid of problems for the engine management system. i.e. fuel mapping on injected bike.
Honda, and most after market suppliers (all good ones) spend large amounts of money on the design of their exhausts, whether it's a bike manufacturer for their stock exhaust, or an after market supplier designing their performance exhausts. The amount of and speed of the exhaust gas leaving the exhaust port, as well as the back pressure created by the pipe all contribute to how efficient a engine is and how it is tuned, whether jetted in case of carbureted bikes or fuel system mapping for injected motors.
You spent a lot of money for your VFR, so it just seems supid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike. If money is an issue, I would suggest watching ebay for something used. (of course you may want to check ebay for a used OEM, now that you have cut holes in yours. :squid:

last_train, Apr 4 2005, 01:17 PMYou spent a lot of money for your VFR, so it just seems supid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike.  If money is an issue, I would suggest watching ebay for something used. (of course you may want to check ebay for a used OEM, now that you have cut holes in yours.  :squid:

Last Train, you're entitled to free speech, so say what you want. Just seems name calling is a bit below what I'd hope from a fellow VFRD member.

As for vandy91298, you just keep on feeling free to do what you want to your bike. :thumbsup: Glad you got what you were looking for. No doubt if you have problems you'll know where to look. :)

last_train, Apr 4 2005, 01:17 PMwell depending on your skill as a rider and how you ride, performance drops are not always something you can feel riding around town on the road, how is your gas mileage before and after.� 
There are several things I would be concerned about with this modification. to name just two:
1. is the fact that this now is an open hole into the canister (no baffle tube) which can allow water to enter the pipes and shorten the life of the entire exhaust.
2. you have changed the airflow pressure created in the exhaust which can also cause a madrid of problems for the engine management system.� i.e. fuel mapping on injected bike.
Honda, and most after market suppliers (all good ones) spend large amounts of money on the design of their exhausts, whether it's a bike manufacturer for their stock exhaust, or an after market supplier designing their performance exhausts. The amount of and speed of the exhaust gas leaving the exhaust port, as well as the back pressure created by the pipe all contribute to how efficient a engine is and how it is tuned, whether jetted in case of carbureted bikes or fuel system mapping for injected motors.
You spent a lot of money for your VFR, so it just seems supid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike.� If money is an issue, I would suggest watching ebay for something used. (of course you may want to check ebay for a used OEM, now that you have cut holes in yours.� :squid:

Call me a squid all you want. It bothers me not and I take no offense. On to answer your questions.

1. I keep track of all my fuel usage through a program I have on my PDA. So I have very good records of fuel milage pre and post exhaust mod. Fuel mileage was NOT altered at ALL. Well, down to a tenth of a mpg anyway. Throttle response, etc. all remained as before. :P

2. I am aware that mucho R&D goes into designing an exhaust system, OEM or otherwise. However, are you forgetting that the VFR has a cat-con that, I am sure, is way more restrictive than the stock exhaust? The dp across the cat has got to be way more than the dp across the exhaust to begin with. So even if my exhuast mod (which differs from what Vandy did) does allow the exhaust to be somewhat less restrictive, it doesn't really matter since most of the restriction in the exhaust is at the cat-con. My engine probably doesn't even see a difference in back pressure.

I do plan to install some '98 VFR headers and an aftermarket exhaust onto my bike in the not too distant future. That WILL require a PCIII due to the elimination of the cat-con.

You are right though Last_Train, I did spend alot of money on my VFR. And I won't do anything to my bike if it is going to screw it up. And actually, I did watch ebay, but I got tired of waiting for what I wanted. I read all the previous posts here about gutting the exhaust, thought it through for myself and then decided it was safe to do. I am extremely happy with the results...a deeper tone with only a slight increase in db's...which is what I was after.
:thumbsup:


Edited because I forgot to answer the issue about collecting water in the exhaust. Don't those two holes in the stock exhaust lead right into the canister? Let me check...yup, they sure do. Can't water get into the canister through those pipes? Yup, it sure can. I don't see how the stock and modified exhaust differ in this regard? On my exhaust mod, I pulled off the rear cover, sliced off the real end cap of the exhaust and then re-attached the cosmetic cover. I then siliconed the cover to the exhaust can from the back side, makeing sure to leave a small section at the bottom open for water drainage.

yeah, what he said :P - nice post Ty

Slacker, Apr 4 2005, 02:03 PMLast Train, you're entitled to free speech, so say what you want.  Just seems name calling is a bit below what I'd hope from a fellow VFRD member. 

As for vandy91298, you just keep on feeling free to do what you want to your bike.  :thumbsup:  Glad you got what you were looking for.  No doubt if you have problems you'll know where to look.  :)

I'm not calling anyone names..........its just my opinion that it seems stupid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike. that has no reflection on vandy91298 or opus.

I do apologize to vandy91298 and opus if they thought I was name calling, I can be very cynical sometimes. (occupational hazard),

Then tyrroneous stated:

"it doesn't really matter since most of the restriction in the exhaust is at the cat-con."

"Don't those two holes in the stock exhaust lead right into the canister? Let me check...yup, they sure do. Can't water get into the canister through those pipes? Yup, it sure can. I don't see how the stock and modified exhaust differ in this regard? On my exhaust mod, I pulled off the rear cover, sliced off the real end cap of the exhaust and then re-attached the cosmetic cover. I then siliconed the cover to the exhaust can from the back side, makeing sure to leave a small section at the bottom open for water drainage."

wrong, but it's your bike..............


Personally I do not know how or were you ride, which can make a difference, but I really don't care, it's your bike, do what ever you want and justify it any way you want, knock your self out......................................... But they posted pictures and sounds of what they did to their exhausts, and someone else seeing their posts may assume it is a great idea, :idea3: and because they saw it posted here, start drilling........................... But now they have seen that at least one person thinks its stupid and maybe they will check with their local shop or someone that knows more than they do, and not just start cutting and drilling..............But hey,its your bike....


It is still my opinion and I stand by it,....... "it seems stupid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike."

Looks like a great job to me. I would of been bugging you for further details if I hadn't got a set of Staintunes. I'm not at the professional racing level like 'Last Train' and wouldn't notice a performance issue.

Cool mod., good work.

Thanks vandy91298,
I was planning on doing this same mod back a couple of months ago when this site crashed and we lost all the info & pictures on doing this. I'm like you, I will do this for now till I get some staintunes.
Thanks for doing a great write up on doing this mod.
I'm doing mine this week! :beer:

I did what vandy did a little over a year ago.I love the sound of the bike now.Yes I did because I did not want to spend $600 or $700 dollars for exhaust at the time.I have had no problems or major changes in fuel mileage since.There was a lot of people on this site that have done the same mod or even went further and cut off the end of the cans and pulled all the baffles out with no probs.There was a huge post about at the time.

Hey Last Train, are your bikes all stock? Just curious.

Tejas, Apr 4 2005, 05:49 PMHey Last Train, are your bikes all stock? Just curious.

Are my bikes stock? well Yes and No...... My VFR has been over bored 2 over and had 1mm larger valves installed by preveous owner, as well as a TB's exhaust. Unfortunately, the previous owner wasn't big on maintance, and I have had to correct several several items that were neglected. At the present I am concentrating on changing the suspension settings both Front and rear. ( I am starting by having the stock forks re-valved and installing race tech springs. On rear, I am looking to fit a penske shock with minor changes to the linkage)
Once the suspension is sorted out, I will decide on what engine mods to make if any. I intentionally sought a 4th generation bike for sentimental reasons, and at this time I haven't got any plans to make major changes the motor.

No neither my Maico or Suzuki RL are what you could call stock, but were rebuilt for AHRMA Motocross and Trials events. The Beamish 250 began life as a bare whitlock frame and parts have been fabricated and/or modified for the purpose of building a better Beamish than Beamish built. (the Beamish is still an on going project with changes being made as different parts are tested)

As for my SV650, the motor is basically stock with only an after market exhaust and jetting changes (per class rules) It has a penske rear shock, and Showa upside down forks in triple trees we fabricated ourselves. It has recently been fitted with an Air Tech body and seat and will be used in AHRMA's BoT class and as a track bike for track days at Barber and Tig-pre. (not street legal, even in Alabama)

I also have boxes and boxes of spare parts collected of the years from various sources, including an RC30 engine with burnt bearing. (I tend to be a pack rat about bike parts)

Back to this thread, personally I find it hard to believe so many of you would even consider drilling holes in your exhaust just to have a louder bike. (sounds like a Harley rider)
The VFR is a great bike stock, and back in the mid 90's it was honda's Flag ship bike getting all of the high end goodies before anything else. (ever looked at how much you have to pay for a car with overhead gear driven cams)

If you want to improve your stock bike without spending 300 to 500 put your efforts into the suspension. It costs very little if anything to play with your suspension settings to improve the VFR to meet your particular riding style, and a set of after market fork springs are less than $100. (for most street riders re-valving the forks is unnecessary) Tires would be the next big change and will make the biggest seat of the pants difference. After that I would look at your brakes next. If you really want a deeper sounding exhaust note, save your money for a slip on. The sound should be your last concern.

I promise you a stock bike with a properly set up suspension will smoke a equal bike with a full after market exhaust and jetting with stock suspension settings. (with equal ability riders)

Besides what I said previously, to me the 3rd hole and cut flanges on the exhaust shown in this thread looks cheap and cr_ppy......

but its your bike, do what you want, these have only been my opinions, nothing more, nothing less. As most of you should know, opinions are like a__holes, everyone has one.

last_train, Apr 4 2005, 09:17 PMI'm not calling anyone names..........its just my opinion that it seems stupid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike. that has no reflection on vandy91298 or opus.

I do apologize to vandy91298 and opus if they thought I was name calling, I can be very cynical sometimes. (occupational hazard), 

Then tyrroneous stated:

"it doesn't really matter since most of the restriction in the exhaust is at the cat-con." 

"Don't those two holes in the stock exhaust lead right into the canister? Let me check...yup, they sure do. Can't water get into the canister through those pipes? Yup, it sure can. I don't see how the stock and modified exhaust differ in this regard? On my exhaust mod, I pulled off the rear cover, sliced off the real end cap of the exhaust and then re-attached the cosmetic cover. I then siliconed the cover to the exhaust can from the back side, makeing sure to leave a small section at the bottom open for water drainage."

wrong, but it's your bike..............
Personally I do not know how or were you ride, which can make a difference, but I really don't care, it's your bike, do what ever you want and justify it any way you want, knock your self out.........................................  But they posted pictures and sounds of what they did to their exhausts, and someone else seeing their posts may assume it is a great idea, :idea3:  and because they saw it posted here, start drilling...........................  But now they have seen that at least one person thinks its stupid and maybe they will check with their local shop or someone that knows more than they do, and not just start cutting and drilling..............But hey,its your bike....
It is still my opinion and I stand by it,....... "it seems stupid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike."

blah blah blah.
next

last_train, Apr 4 2005, 03:17 PM

Then tyrroneous stated:

"it doesn't really matter since most of the restriction in the exhaust is at the cat-con." 

"Don't those two holes in the stock exhaust lead right into the canister? Let me check...yup, they sure do. Can't water get into the canister through those pipes? Yup, it sure can. I don't see how the stock and modified exhaust differ in this regard? On my exhaust mod, I pulled off the rear cover, sliced off the real end cap of the exhaust and then re-attached the cosmetic cover. I then siliconed the cover to the exhaust can from the back side, makeing sure to leave a small section at the bottom open for water drainage."

wrong, but it's your bike..............

Care to enlighten us as to how this is incorrect? Seriously, if my thinking is totally wrong and I'm damaging my motor, I'll put an unmodified stock exhaust back onto my bike quicker than you can say "told ya so".

As mentioned before, my VFR with this mod is only slightly louder than the stock bike, but the tone is significantly deeper. Its no louder than a VFR with Staintunes or a full Erion system. It sounds good but NOT LOUD. I just wanted to unleash a little more of that sweet V4 sound than the muffled stock exhaust did. And maybe in that respect, I am like a Harley rider on some level. Big deal.

I do plan on upgrading the suspension at some point. I've been riding long enough to realize that upgrading the software (the rider) and the suspension is the best thing you can do to make a bike quicker. But I don't have 800-1000 bucks to throw at a new shock and a fork job at the moment. Being on a tight bugdet, I have to pick my mods carefully.

tyrroneous, Apr 5 2005, 07:34 AM
<snip>

But I don't have 800-1000 bucks to throw at a new shock and a fork job at the moment.  Being on a tight bugdet, I have to pick my mods carefully.

You need to set up a "mod fund" like I have - see my sig.

The donations are gonna start rolling in soon - I just know they are!! :goofy:

vandy91298, Apr 4 2005, 08:55 AMHey all,

Yesterday, I drilled a 1" hole in each exhaust can, and sawed back the ends of the four exit pipes.  Here are the results:

Sound before:  before1.wav ( 328.47k ) Number of downloads: 589


Sound after:  after1.wav ( 263.86k ) Number of downloads: 619

Hey, thanks for the sound clips! I'm picking up my bike in a week and a half ('04 Asphalt, no ABS), and now I know just what it will sound like! :P

The funny thing is, I like the sound of the stock exhaust just fine, and to me the modified exhaust sounds like (surprise!)... an exhaust with a hole in it. Go figure... :D

Different strokes, eh?

Peregrinus, Apr 5 2005, 11:04 PMHey, thanks for the sound clips! I'm picking up my bike in a week and a half ('04 Asphalt, no ABS), and now I know just what it will sound like!  :P

The funny thing is, I like the sound of the stock exhaust just fine, and to me the modified exhaust sounds like (surprise!)... an exhaust with a hole in it. Go figure... :D

Different strokes, eh?

Peregrinus,

You're welcome.

Here's a link to another site with various vfr sound clips you might be interested in:

vfr exhaust comparison

It is still my opinion and I stand by it,....... "it seems stupid to cut a hole in an exhaust just so you get a louder bike."

It's even more stupid to spend $800 just to get a louder bike. I think $0 vs $800 is a no brainer for what they wanted out of their exhaust.

last_train, Apr 4 2005, 10:23 PMI promise you a stock bike with a properly set up suspension will smoke a equal bike with a full after market exhaust and jetting with stock suspension settings. (with equal ability riders)

Most of us don't race, or even ride the VFR hard enough to max out the stock suspension. I'm too old to ride the VFR at its limits and I don't do track days. The extra risks involved in riding at 10/10's is not something I'm willing to do because I have two small children who depend on me. My stock suspension is plenty for me to ride at 8/10's. Same goes for spending money for extra horsepower. If I wanted all that, I would have saved money and got a lot more ponies and better suspension by grabbing a CBR-954. I bought the VFR because it will handle my meager sport riding and still tour quite well. I think a lot of us here are in the same boat. I can't afford more than one bike anyway. If not for the kids and the cash, I'd have both a CBR-1000 and an ST-1300 to take care of all my needs.

Besides what I said previously, to me the 3rd hole and cut flanges on the exhaust shown in this thread looks cheap and cr_ppy......

That is covered by an end cap on the VTEC dual exhausts. It will not be seen at all. Look at the second photo. That is after he modded the cans.

but its your bike, do what you want, these have only been my opinions, nothing more, nothing less. As most of you should know, opinions are like a__holes, everyone has one.

:)

tbzep, Apr 6 2005, 01:31 AMIt's even more stupid to spend $800 just to get a louder bike.  I think $0 vs $800 is a no brainer for what they wanted out of their exhaust.

I don't know about that but I sure LOVE my Laser's. But tbzep I can see your point I paid $760.00 for my Laser's. Those pipes get more looks and compliments than the bike itself.(insert absolutely love the looks and sound emoticon here).

The cool thing is those 1 inch holes can be welded up for cheap and nobody would ever know the difference. Good thinking Vandy! OK i'll stop being a post whore now... :goofy:

My bike had the high-mount Satantune on it when I bought it (part of the reason I bought this one and not the slower, more common red VFR). However, I found with the restrictor in it was too quiet, and with it out, it was too "look at me" and made me ride too aggressively. So I bought another restrictor, cut the 'tail' off it, and now I have a choice of Naughty but Nice, Stealth, or Evil.
I noticed that with it in "Naughty but Nice mode", it needed the ECU reset as it ran noticeably leaner than in Stealth mode.

Yeee-haw...!


(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1112578392/gallery_3135_214_146.jpg)
hole saw.jpg

Richie, Apr 5 2005, 08:48 PMI don't know about that but I sure LOVE my Laser's.  But tbzep I can see your point I paid $760.00 for my Laser's.  Those pipes get more looks and compliments than the bike itself.(insert absolutely love the looks and sound emoticon here).

Yeah, but that was for looks and sound, and to get chicks. That's three reasons...more than enough to spend the bucks. :thumbsup: :P

I was just playing on the comment that he thought it was stupid to do something that costs us absolutely no money, especially when it's been done dozens of times with no ill effects and no change in typical street performance.

enzed_viffer, Apr 6 2005, 02:54 AMMy bike had the high-mount Satantune on it when I bought it (part of the reason I bought this one and not the slower, more common red VFR). However, I found with the restrictor in it was too quiet, and with it out, it was too "look at me" and made me ride too aggressively. So I bought another restrictor, cut the 'tail' off it, and now I have a choice of Naughty but Nice, Stealth, or Evil.
I noticed that with it in "Naughty but Nice mode", it needed the ECU reset as it ran noticeably leaner than in Stealth mode.

Satantune? Those suckers better make my bike faster than hell, and a sound that will wake the dead! Sorry but that typo is priceless... :goofy: