Topic: Exhaust sounds? (Updated Videos)

[Dr. Noisewater]

Hey guys, so I bought a MAC exhaust system awhile back.. Sure enough it sounds like crap. I kind of knew it would, but I needed new headers anyway and it was the most cost effective option. But now it's Christmas and it's time I get the bike sounding good!

I'm really on the fence between the 12" shorty reverse cone or the 18" quiet core. I've read the threads on here that discuss these two, but there's not much about the quiet core's other than flybox's video. And although his exhaust sounded pretty good, it still sounded a little soft. I dunno though, it could've just been the video. No offense flybox. His is also is a 750 and mine's a 550 so I feel it'll sound different, and may even sound worse on the 550.

Does anybody else have any experience with either of these mufflers that could chime in or maybe even post a video? Just like most people, I'm trying to get that perfect balance of tone and volume. Not too loud, but not too quiet, and with a nice growl.

Anyway, if anyone has any videos or input I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Stev-o]

Do it right, buy a MotoGP


http://www.motogpwerks.com/custom-projects.html

[evanphi]

I just put my quiet core on my 750 yesterday. Sound is kind of really distorted on the video, but you get a good idea. I just made the video since I took my exhaust all off for painting.

It is louder than the MAC canister I had on there, and much more growly. At idle, it is very quiet, but give it some gas and she siiiiiiiiiiiiings.

First fit of Cone Eng 18" Quiet Core

[K_Kalynuik]

Heres my 550 with a cone engineering perforated baffled muffler.

 

[Dr. Noisewater]

Wow Kenny, that's an awesome bike. Thanks for the video's guys. They both sound really good. I think I may just get the straight through version. I may have them extend it to 14-16" just to see if it tames it slightly but still maintains the growl. I'll try to post a video once I put it on. Thanks again.

[Tews19]

Here was one video I was able to find.. This is stock 4-1 header with the 12" reverse... Prior to jetting..

http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Tews19/media/018.mp4.html

[Dimitri13]

MAC headers with a Two Brothers carbon can from a cbr (the low end sputtering was from bad points and incorrectly jetted carbs, top end was fine).

[Motovid] CB550 Dyno Pulls

[Chaser60]

Kenny,

Sorry for the newb questions, but I have been looking for exhaust solutions for a while and think yours is the combination I have been hunting around to find.   As I look at MAC 4 in to on headers, they seem to end shortly after the collector.  Then there is a length of tube routed towards rear and then various muffler choices.   This short tube (guessing 8 inches ) is appears to be welded to the muffler as one piece attachment right behind the collector.   Did you cut off the MAC muffler, or did the Cone system go all the way to the collector?   Is that a welded system now or clamped?

[evanphi]

Kenny,

Sorry for the newb questions, but I have been looking for exhaust solutions for a while and think yours is the combination I have been hunting around to find.   As I look at MAC 4 in to on headers, they seem to end shortly after the collector.  Then there is a length of tube routed towards rear and then various muffler choices.   This short tube (guessing 8 inches ) is appears to be welded to the muffler as one piece attachment right behind the collector.   Did you cut off the MAC muffler, or did the Cone system go all the way to the collector?   Is that a welded system now or clamped?

I'll chime in... my "midpipe" is the bent section from the old MAC muffler. I chopped it off, and the reverse cone slipped right over the end. You can order them in a variety of different inlet/outlet sizes, so measure first. Both ends of the mid-pipe are now clamped, in my case.

looking at Kenny's video, it looks like a clamp at the end of the cone and possibly a spring/hanger attached to it?

[flybox1]

One of the nice things about CONE ENG is they have transition pieces to run between your header and the exhaust pipe.  And these pieces perfectly fit the various IDs of the exhaust can.   Chose the size that fits the OD of your header.  They can be clamped, and or welded.  Check their website.  Or, you can fab one up yourself.
The quiet core can is not a lightweight, and should be supported by a welded hanger/frame/mount.

[K_Kalynuik]

Thanks for the compliments guys

Chaser60 - to answer your question about the Mac. The Mac muffler is a bolt on part, to the stock Mac Header. Just throw that crappy Mac muffler away. And you are right, I had to fabricate up a piece of pipe about 6"-8" long the goes from the mac header to my muffler. Good eye! Its not a straight shot from the Mac header to the muffler though so I used 2 mandrel bent pieces to create a nice smooth flow from the header to the muffler. I have seen some setups where they use a straight pipe, but cut the end on the proper angle. I didn't like the way this looked. so I choose to make it have the slight bend it needed in the pipe to look like the exhaust would flow nicely. hope that makes sense.

[K_Kalynuik]

Kenny,

Sorry for the newb questions, but I have been looking for exhaust solutions for a while and think yours is the combination I have been hunting around to find.   As I look at MAC 4 in to on headers, they seem to end shortly after the collector.  Then there is a length of tube routed towards rear and then various muffler choices.   This short tube (guessing 8 inches ) is appears to be welded to the muffler as one piece attachment right behind the collector.   Did you cut off the MAC muffler, or did the Cone system go all the way to the collector?   Is that a welded system now or clamped?

I'll chime in... my "midpipe" is the bent section from the old MAC muffler. I chopped it off, and the reverse cone slipped right over the end. You can order them in a variety of different inlet/outlet sizes, so measure first. Both ends of the mid-pipe are now clamped, in my case.

I wanted to be able to give the mac muffler to someone if they needed it. So I didn't chop mine up. A friend is building a budget build and came in handy for him.

[K_Kalynuik]

One of the nice things about CONE ENG is they have transition pieces to run between your header and the exhaust pipe.  And these pieces perfectly fit the various IDs of the exhaust can.   Chose the size that fits the OD of your header.  They can be clamped, and or welded.  Check their website.  Or, you can fab one up yourself.
The quiet core can is not a lightweight, and should be supported by a welded hanger/frame/mount.

Forgot to mention the transition piece I got from cone engineering too. That's in the 'mid pipe' as well. I tig welded on the hanger right to my muffler so I could mount it to my re-located foot peg mounts. Which were the old passenger foot peg mounts I cut off and moved forward a bit.

[Chaser60]

Thanks all for quick replies.   Great advice as always.   I have zero welding skills, although this project is making me consider taking a course at local tech school.   There is a great welding school right here in central VA.   However, my list of to-do's is long, so may not take that step for this winter.   Therefore I would either have to get someone to do that work, or go with clamps.    hmmm so many decisions and only so much free time.   I just got the shop flipped from saw dust infested wood shop to my little 550 garage.   Photo in the project section.  Dr Noisewater, sorry to steal your thread for a moment !   

[evanphi]

Thanks all for quick replies.   Great advice as always.   I have zero welding skills, although this project is making me consider taking a course at local tech school.   There is a great welding school right here in central VA.   However, my list of to-do's is long, so may not take that step for this winter.   Therefore I would either have to get someone to do that work, or go with clamps.    hmmm so many decisions and only so much free time.   I just got the shop flipped from saw dust infested wood shop to my little 550 garage.   Photo in the project section.  Dr Noisewater, sorry to steal your thread for a moment !   

here's the mockup of mine with the clamps. The clamps will be flipped to the inside, of course, and the bolts shortened. There is also a small bracket being welded on that will connect right under the passenger peg.

[Chaser60]

super !  Thanks for posting the pics.  Most helpful.  I plan to leave the rear pegs on for occasional two up rides.   Will put mount there also.

[Dr. Noisewater]

Hey Chaser, just to add another answer to your question.. I ended up keeping the little 8 inch pipe that clamps to the collector from the MAC system because the angle on it will keep the muffler tucked in nicely. I chopped the MAC muffler off with an angle grinder right where it was welded to the straight pipe, then happily hucked it in the trash! I'd feel bad even giving that muffler away.

[K_Kalynuik]

then happily hucked it in the trash! I'd feel bad even giving that muffler away.

Haha yah, the original Mac Muffler is a giant piece of crap.

[evanphi]

I think my dad is going to put my old mac muffler on his lawn mower... 

[Stev-o]

I think my dad is going to put my old mac muffler on his lawn mower... 

Now thats funny!  You need to post a pic if that happens.

[K_Kalynuik]

Awesome! Id like to see that as well. It will probably make the lawn mower sound bad though.

[evanphi]

Might be awhile for pics (video?!) as it is snow covering the lawn now.

[madScientist]

I dont have a MAC exhaust but the cone muffler looks close. This is my bike with a cycleX tri-y




The clattering's the Mikuni 34's. Hope it helps.

[Dr. Noisewater]

Wow nice, that thing sounds crazy. Looks like you have some pretty fun projects in that garage!

[Chaser60]

Dr Noisewater, that makes sense on the 8 inch pipe.   

madScientist, great set up.  Sounds sweet.   Paint looks wet.  Very nice.  At risk of further hijacking the good doctor's original thread, did you buy or custom fab your seat pan, rear bump and seat?  Reason I ask is that it appears you did not cut off the original fender mount from the top rear section of the frame.   This is exactly what I am trying to do.  I do not want the frame / rear hoop mods.  Thanks.