Under Budget
Horsepower is a thing of beauty. We all crave it. We spend hours researching ways to get more of it. There are expensive routes, and to some, money is no object, and there are less expensive routes that boast considerable numbers for a lower price. This article is based on the latter.
Harley-Davidson's Screamin' Eagle (SE) accessories are always on the list when considering doing performance mods. The SE line is vast and offers plenty of affordable options for all models.
After perusing the SE components on Harley's website we decided on the Jet Black, Slash Down, Street Performance Slip-On Dual Mufflers ($449.95) and matching Jet Black Exhaust Shield Kit ($159.95). The mufflers provide a nice low rumble with a rich tone when rolling on the throttle. These mufflers are 50-state legal and fit '07-later Dynas (except FXDF, FXDSE2, and '10 FXDWG).
To suck more air into the engine, we chose a Heavy Breather Performance Air Cleaner Kit ($299.95). The kit features a die-cast intake tube and backplate, and comes with a washable, reusable air filter element. Also included is a rain sock for the elements. The kit fits '08-later Dyna and Softail models.
We had an '09 Dyna Street Bob that was begging for more oomph, so we took it down to our friend Alan Barsi to install the setup. To test the difference between stock and not, we headed over to Huntington Beach Hogs & Choppers to see how the pipes and air cleaner would fare on the dyno. We were pleasantly surprised. This setup requires ECM calibration that an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer must perform (not included in the price). For a sound clip of the SE Mufflers in action, log on to hotbikeweb.com.
01.
Our SE lineup consisted...
01.
Our SE lineup consisted of the Street Performance Slip-On Dual Mufflers, Jet Black Exhaust Shield Kit, and Heavy Breather Performance Air Cleaner Kit, all black and perty.
02.
Alan got the bike on...
02.
Alan got the bike on the lift and started by removing the stock heat shields from the head pipes and mufflers.
03.
He loosened the stock...
03.
He loosened the stock muffler clamps, and then the mufflers from the front and rear mounting brackets, and removed the mufflers completely.
04.
Alan slid the new black...
04.
Alan slid the new black mufflers onto the headers and tightened them down with the new muffler clamps (arrow) and to the front and rear mounting brackets.
05.
With the mufflers in...
05.
With the mufflers in place, Alan installed the Jet Black heat shields to the head pipes and mufflers with the stock worm drive clamps. Pipes done.
06.
On to the air cleaner....
06.
On to the air cleaner. Alan removed the stock air cleaner assembly and installed the new backplate with the stock breather bolts. He then slid the new O-rings around the breather hole screw caps and installed them in place (arrow).
07.
Next, he assembled the...
07.
Next, he assembled the intake tube gasket (A), the intake tube (B), and the mounting ring (C), and installed it to the backplate with the provided hardware and threadlocker.
08.
The filter assembly was...
08.
The filter assembly was assembled to its band clamp. Once that was done, Alan installed the large adhesive gasket to the band clamp and installed the filter to the intake tube. He then tightened the band clamp down and installation was almost complete. The last step of the install was to recalibrate the ECM with Harley's Stage One upgrade software. See your local Harley dealer to have this procedure done.
09.
and installed the filter...
09.
and installed the filter to the intake tube. He then tightened the band clamp down and installation was almost complete. The last step of the install was to recalibrate the ECM with Harley’s Stage One upgrade software. See your local Harley dealer to have this procedure done.
10.
The black mufflers and...
10.
The black mufflers and heat shields provide a nice contrast to the silver components on the Street Bob. And the new air cleaner provides a real hot-rod look.
11.
After installation was...
11.
After installation was complete, we took the Street Bob to HB Hogs & Choppers for some dyno runs. The baseline run produced 66.56 hp and 84.84 lb-ft of torque. With the new Screamin' Eagle components, the Street Bob achieved 75.31 hp and 89.81 lb-ft of torque. That's a gain of 8.75 hp and 4.97 lb-ft of torque. For an installation that took about 30 minutes and with a pricetag under a grand, 9 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque is a pretty substantial gain for the dough. Check out hotbikeweb.com to hear how the pipes sound.