Exhaust/intake modification from factory

I have a stock 1981 maxim xj550. I would like to make the exhaust sound deeper but I would like to avoid spending more than what I spent on the bike. One other question, I want to remove the intake from under the seat by the battery box and out it on the outside if the bike, anyone have any suggestions, pics, or weblinks to a kit?

Thanks-

 

Unless you are very good with the art of jetting, you should avoid removing the air box. While some like my self have had good results it is not advised. BTW I have years of experience at this voodoo art.

 

Thanks

 

Hey, nickguyver11, take it easy!

Thrasher was being helpful telling you in advance that what you wish to do...he has done...has the experience you crave....and just pointed out to you that it's not easy.

If you're not careful, you won't get any responses to your query! IMHO.

 

Unless you want to enter the Seven Circles of Hell, carb-tuning wise, leave the airbox in place as well as the stock exhaust collector box and head pipes.

You can swap just the mufflers with little or no tuning consequences.

 

Can I remove the mufflers and put straight pipe on there if I leave the box and head pipes alone?

 

You certainly could but I would recommend just getting a set of mufflers with removable baffles. You can find some pretty cheap here:

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Cafe-Racer-P ... al-Muffler

I got these and they bolted right on. Looks and sound pretty good, especially for the $$:

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/MUFFLER-SHOR ... ry=3224599

... or you could just drill a bunch of holes in the back end of the factory baffles! :twisted:

 

Which would do NOTHING except ruin a set of stock mufflers. The way the stock mufflers are constructed internally, drilling holes in the plate around the outlet pipe will do nothing to increase the flow of exhaust gasses out of the muffler. The exhaust doesn't go into that part of the "can."

 

You might be right, there, bigfitz52. I'm not familiar with the exhaust setup on the 550 but I did it on my 750 & it did change the exhaust note. Case in point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smSUEPZw3pk

I'm not saying it sounded better - that's all a matter of perspective, but it was a little louder. And "fartier". Definitely ruined a set of stock mufflers that were pretty well banged up to begin with.

 

And here's with the EMGO shorties:

Baffles in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRm_xTtMdjo

Baffles out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlXgWy2TQi4