Exhaust

[lyonsee]

So guys the parts for the thunderace swap are off at the machine shop gettin fixed,now my thoughts are on the exhaust,was thinking of a 4 into 1 any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated.

[Pat Conlon]

What ever you do, get something that retains access to your oil drain.
I have a Kerker 4-1 on my '92 and to drain my oil, I use to remove the left side oil cooler pan fitting....easy peesey.
However, with my new RPM oil cooler installed, I can't even do that anymore due to new 6an oil line fittings used on RPM oil cooler. There is no room to pull the fitting out of the pan and I don't want to unthread and re tighten those 6an compression fittings every time I want to drain the oil.

Sigh...Removing the Kerker is the only option I have left....

[musicman]

Are the Vance and Hines pipes like that too? I've been stewing off and on about putting a set on mine, but the carbs are hidden well enough that I'm not sure I want to play with tuning them! But if the oil becomes a headache, sure cheaper to stay stock

I wanted a mac 4-1 header on my Suzuki too, until I read about not being able to get the oil filter off, so it's still stock, haha

[andyb]

Avoid V&H.  They block drainplug access and are made exceedingly cheaply, rusting through amazingly quickly.  If you go that route with a new one, I very strongly suggest having it coated with an appropriate (ceramic, specialized powder, or what have you) coating to prevent the damned things from rusting through.  I actually had one rust completely through at the collector and fall apart while riding!  Fortunately I was a few miles from home and was able to just rest my heel on the cannister to prevent it from dragging too badly, but it wasn't remotely salvageable.

As for the drainplugs, one of my myriad projects is relocating the drainplug on the FJ, which shouldn't be too hard, but it looks like some of the baffling will need trimmed down a pinch.  I haven't decided if I'll move the plug back and left or just cheat and add a hole near the oil cooler lines (or relocate the return line and use that orfice, or..etc).

At worst, you'll end up pulling the exhaust to change the oil, and have to spend $10 in exhaust gaskets every other time or so to prevent them from leaking.  For the lack of significant gains that the pipe gives, I'd prolly stay stock myself, if I actually had the stock setup to start with.

[Pat Conlon]

Yes, *as far as I know*, due to the location of the merge collector and the desire to keep all the primary tubes equal in length, all the 4 into 1 headers block the oil drain.

Stateside, D&D used to make a 4 into 2 into 1 exhaust system which allowed access but I don't think they are available anymore.
I recall the Aussie company Staintune also made a very nice system for our FJ's which allowed access. I don't know if they are available anymore.
For the folks overseas, check out the UK FJ owners catalog for more options.

The Kerker and V&H systems are not a problem if you can pull the left side oil cooler pan fitting. It's only when you upgrade to the RPM cooler that that option is no longer available.

As Andy points out, the V&H has been reported to be questionable in durability and workmanship.

[yamaha fj rider]

andyb stock exhaust on my 93 FJ was so restrictive. The supertrap superlight exhaust (first pipe) was a huge improvement but it did not fit well and rubbed on a right hand turns called supertrap they were no help so I switched to a V&H SS2R fits and it works great (no rub on hard right hand turn). Yes i drop the exhaust to change oil but this is only once a year with good oil. No big deal. I store my bike inside and plug the exhaust when I wash it.   Also I guess this depends what V&S pipe you get I think the SS2R is no longer available.

Kurt  

[axiom-r]

Pat- sorry to hear about the oil cooler fittings- any other negatives on the kit?  I think I am going there soon.....

I am very happy with the Delkevic System.  It is all Stainless Steel.  

I am currently running:
Delkevic repop collector belly pan (same as the stock FJ but SS).
SS downtubes from Sandybikesspares on Ebay UK.
Delkevic 18" tri-oval mufflers.

The parts from Sandbikespares were sort of a hassle to get and were all made for the Yamaha XJR but they fit the FJ just fine.

I do have a 4 into 1 header also from Sandybikespares and made for the XJR. It will require some light trimming to fit.  No interference with oil drain at all.

Sounds sweet and looks good.

tim

[andyb]

andyb stock exhaust on my 93 FJ was so restrictive. The supertrap superlight exhaust (first pipe) was a huge improvement but it did not fit well and rubbed on a right hand turns called supertrap they were no help so I switched to a V&H SS2R fits and it works great (no rub on hard right hand turn). Yes i drop the exhaust to change oil but this is only once a year with good oil. No big deal. I store my bike inside and plug the exhaust when I wash it.   Also I guess this depends what V&S pipe you get I think the SS2R is no longer available.

Kurt  

The SS2R was the pipe that I had that rusted in half.  I replaced it with another one, which is already showing signs of degrading badly.

As far as restrictive, as compared to what?  The SS2R gains less than 10hp, including the jetting and pod airfilter conversion.  That's a crappy gain imo.

[yamaha fj rider]

andyb stock exhaust on my 93 FJ was so restrictive. The supertrap superlight exhaust (first pipe) was a huge improvement but it did not fit well and rubbed on a right hand turns called supertrap they were no help so I switched to a V&H SS2R fits and it works great (no rub on hard right hand turn). Yes i drop the exhaust to change oil but this is only once a year with good oil. No big deal. I store my bike inside and plug the exhaust when I wash it.   Also I guess this depends what V&S pipe you get I think the SS2R is no longer available.

Kurt  

The SS2R was the pipe that I had that rusted in half.  I replaced it with another one, which is already showing signs of degrading badly.

As far as restrictive, as compared to what?  The SS2R gains less than 10hp, including the jetting and pod airfilter conversion.  That's a crappy gain imo.

andyb stock exhaust, factory yamaha mufflers did not let it breath at all. Sorry you don't like the SS2R then why buy a second and not try something else?

Kurt 

[andyb]

andyb stock exhaust, factory yamaha mufflers did not let it breath at all. Sorry you don't like the SS2R then why buy a second and not try something else?

Unfortunately it's what was quickly available at the time, for a reasonable price.

I won't argue that the original setup is more restrictive than a good aftermarket exhaust, but the difficulty is finding a good quality aftermarket exhaust.  The V&H scrapes on right turns if you're riding in a spirited fashion.

At the time, D&D was the other good option, but the techs there weren't able to conclusively tell me if it'd actually fit the bike, which was a concern, and it was $150 more than the V&H.  D&D has a reputation for making obnoxiously loud mufflers as well, which could probably be fixed with some modification to the baffling.  At one point there was some interest in having D&D make full stainless exhausts for the FJ, but I don't think enough people signed up for a group buy that would convince them to make a batch.

Supertrapp/Kerker doesn't list the FJ in their current application catalog, so I'm guessing those are now out of production.  Possibly someone's still got one on the shelf someplace, though.

D&D no longer lists the FJ in their catalog.

Laser lists the FJ, but it's shown as a 4-2 system, but appears marketed more as a stock replacement than a significant performance improvement--according to their own dyno sheets.

Haven't seen any of the other makers producing FJ full systems for a long time.  So options aren't real good, unless you can get lucky on the used market.  I stand by my statement that the V&H doesn't make very much performance improvement vs stock, certainly nothing like the gains that other bikes can see from a pipe/rejetting.  Could be due to the way the motor is tuned, as I don't know that I've ever heard of significant gains from an exhaust system on an FJ (assuming apples to apples comparisons).

[fj11.5]

the fj1200 taking up space in my shed has a complete 4/1 system made by magnum ?? not sure where he bought it from or where it was made, sounds good, alloy muffler steel pipes , havnt had a look f the ump plug can be reached  ,, megacycle used to make great systems, a great company over here called staintune makes an excellent product all stainless systems, for a fair price , but import would break the bank 

[yamaha fj rider]

Andyb I hear you, not many options left for exhaust. The supertrap system I purchased first all stainless steel internal disk did not fit worth a darn the connector pipe hits the ground way before your pig on a right hand turn. If they can not get it to fit well what makes us think that it will make more power. Andy i was so disappointed in the supertrap that when I got the V&H and it fit and I felt like I had not wasted another $500.00 bucks very happy!! V&H may not be the best but it was way better than what I had and yes D&D exhaust VERY LOUD!!! At least the ones I heard. Could have ordered one back then but way to loud. Sounds like all we want is a pipe that fits, works, will last and wont leave you deaf is that too much to ask? Guess so. 

Kurt

[ribbert]

Staintune

Staintune make an excellent exhaust, this is mine at 80,000k's, but they are about $1300 AU now.



I'm very happy with my Delkevics.  Great sound, not restrictive (baffles out) good clearance, not too heavy, good build quality, SS can with chrome inter pipes.  I have about 10,000k's on them.



By the time you do this..........



You're also doing this!

[ribbert]

I should add to the previous post that the Delkevics do require removing the centre stand, but only because it won't retract far enough.  I still use it (without spring) by fitting the bolts loosely for servicing and cleaning, only takes a second. Being slip-ons, there is no problem with the drain plug.
I should also add those lean angles are not something I aim for but every now and again you find one of  "those" corners, this particular one was a bastard of a right hander towards the North end of the Putty Road, I'm sure a few people here know it.
God, I love my tyres.
My view on the few extra horses the right 4 - 1 might give you is, considering all the variables on an old bike, all the external influences and the amount of time at WOT to redline, it's not worth the money or the comprises.
My recently o'hauled and synced carbs, pods, valve adjust,  adj. cam gears, change of gearing and slip-ons goes very well.
Would I spend a lot of money and block of my drain plug for a few extra horses on a road bike?  No.
Would I fit one if it fell across my door at the right price but still blocked the drain plug? Maybe.
Noel

[1tinindian]

I repositioned my Delkevic cans and pipes and now I can keep my center stand mounted to the bike.
It takes some trial and error, but it can be done.

Leon