D&D Fat Cat - Perforated Baffle vs. Louvered Wrapped Baffle

[Tom O.]

I pulled the trigger this afternoon and ordered the louvered wrapped baffle (LWB) for my Fat Cat exhaust.

I have the perforated in it now. Not sure if its the wrapped or not. Won't know that until it comes out.

Its just too annoying (tinny/hollow sound) for all day riding IMHO. I would think since the LWB is a little more restrictive I am going to lose some top end HP but gain some grunt on the low end .

My questions where will it help?

Where will it hurt?

That is the reason for starting this thread.

I plan on doing before and after dyno for comparison. I am hoping to get this accomplished next week. I will post sheets after this all happens for comparison.

 

[hulkss]

Here's some performance runs with different louvered baffles on a 2:1:2 headpipe:

 

[Tom O.]

Here's some performance runs with different louvered baffles on a 2:1:2 headpipe:

View attachment 5817

Hoping mine will be that close as well.

Got an email today that the baffle is on its way. Should be here by end of this week.

 

[Tom O.]

Baffle showed up just a few minutes ago. No damage noted. Great packing job by D&D.

I am scheduled to take the bike in Monday for before and after runs. Hoping to have sheets posted that night.

 

[Tom O.]

Got the baffle on the bike yesterday. Lost 11-12% in HP and TQ according to the numbers that were relayed to me from the technician. Apparently it's too restrictive to keep close to the numbers I was at before with my set up.

Also found out that what was in it (and is going back in) is the wrapped perforated baffle. I can't even imagine riding with the unwrapped perforated! lol

Not sure if I will keep the exhaust or not. Gonna take my time figuring that out so I don’t end up in the same situation again.

 

[Crumb]

I have the unwrapped perforated

 

[Tom O.]

I have the unwrapped perforated

I'm not sure I could handle it. The wrapped perf is so.... Raspy to my ears. Yes, thats more accurate than the tinny/hollow I've said before. Do you find the unwrapped version to be raspy as well?

 

[Crumb]

Very much so, the best way I describe it is it sounds like a stock car. It is loud but I like it. I do ride with ear plugs anyway, and that even helps music come in clearer.

 

[Tom O.]

Very much so, the best way I describe it is it sounds like a stock car. It is loud but I like it. I do ride with ear plugs anyway, and that even helps music come in clearer.

Thanks. Kinda figured there wouldn't be much difference in sound between the two.

 

[bulldog68]

To the OP....for what it's worth. I am having a 107" built for my 14SGS. It is a Hotrod motor I can tour with and run different gas across the country, tman 577 cam, 58 mm TB, etc....motor should make according to builder and 2 different tuners ( both tuners suggested on forums as the best around my location )....125 sq...should see in a few more weeks, I may be disappointed !
My point is this.....builder wants 100 torque by 2300 or so and carry out to rev limiter. He had me switch to the wrapped louvered baffle in the Fatcat. It was a brand new pipe with the perforated wrapped baffle . I did not want to change, but he and both dyno guys sent charts to show me. The perforated had a big dip to 2700 or so, and really didn't climb well until 3800. From 3800 to 5000 was only slightly higher than the louvered. The louvered made more power everywhere else including above 5000 rpm.
I am only providing info that was given to me....D&D will tell you otherwise......not looking to argue. Goodluck and I hope to post sheets in a few weeks, like I said....I may be disappointed.

 

[Tom O.]

To the OP....for what it's worth. I am having a 107" built for my 14SGS. It is a Hotrod motor I can tour with and run different gas across the country, tman 577 cam, 58 mm TB, etc....motor should make according to builder and 2 different tuners ( both tuners suggested on forums as the best around my location )....125 sq...should see in a few more weeks, I may be disappointed !
My point is this.....builder wants 100 torque by 2300 or so and carry out to rev limiter. He had me switch to the wrapped louvered baffle in the Fatcat. It was a brand new pipe with the perforated wrapped baffle . I did not want to change, but he and both dyno guys sent charts to show me. The perforated had a big dip to 2700 or so, and really didn't climb well until 3800. From 3800 to 5000 was only slightly higher than the louvered. The louvered made more power everywhere else including above 5000 rpm.
I am only providing info that was given to me....D&D will tell you otherwise......not looking to argue. Goodluck and I hope to post sheets in a few weeks, like I said....I may be disappointed.

Totally understand. One of my main issues with the perf baffle is the noise it makes. It's just too raspy for my taste. There is a little dip, or stall if you will, in the low end with the perf baffle.

I didn't want to give up the power to change the sound. I like the power it makes now and don’t want to lose any. I can get another exhaust that will work with future mods and not have to deal with the sound of the D&D. Thats my plan for the not too distant future, new exhaust.

In my mind what your builder and dyno guys say makes sense. It all comes to what type of build you are doing and what you want the end result to be. Sounds like you are on the right track and that torque across the board will be AWESOME! Looking forward to seeing your results!!

 

[Tom O.]

Also, all my work has been done at the dealer. If I was working with an independent shop I may have gotten different results. You know the bad rap some of the dealers get. I don't know what my delaers true capabilities are with really digging in on the tuning end of things. With a mass production style set up, like I have, they've done decent.

Once I get settled in St Louis later this year I plan on getting with an independent, making plans for upgrades, and getting things where I want them to be.

 

[bulldog68]

I understand what you are saying about dealers....but the same goes for independents also......you never really know ! That is why I was trying to be "easy " with how I worded it and didn't want to offend anyone.
St. Louis ? I am from Lebanon, MO

 

[Tom O.]

I understand what you are saying about dealers....but the same goes for independents also......you never really know ! That is why I was trying to be "easy " with how I worded it and didn't want to offend anyone.
St. Louis ? I am from Lebanon, MO

Understood. I as well did not intend to offend anyone with my statement. Like I said, I am happy with how the bike runs now. Just don't like the sound it makes. lol

Got some good words on HTT about C&S Speed Shop in St Louis. I will be checking them out once I get up there.

I will have to give you a shout once I get settled in up there. Should be heading that way around mid-August.

 

[bulldog68]

Tom, going to try and post a pic of the dyno sheet I promised you. I am posting to show that the louvered baffle wasn't a restriction. Also note : Long story here : I had quoted it should make 125 SQ according to the builder and 2 tuners. It would have, even at 10.25 compression....problem and it wasn't found until I traveled 200 miles back home and 2 days later. The "Andrews" 4 degree advance gear was engraved wrong from the factory and got thru QC and mounted on my motor ! I have pictures .....so the motor is retarded instead of advanced, which also cuts compression to approx. 9.7 or 180 CCP.
Andrews cost me $582.13 for the tune. 1 night hotel, gas money and a day off work. Their reply was....yes it is engraved wrong.
I will get it back to the dyno in the next few weeks when time allows. Swapping the gear will raise everything and shift to the left.
I just wanted to show you the wrapped louvered baffle chart lines. I agree, it is still loud ! Sounds great for short trips, but this was built to tour ....13k last year.

 

[Tom O.]

Tom, going to try and post a pic of the dyno sheet I promised you. I am posting to show that the louvered baffle wasn't a restriction. Also note : Long story here : I had quoted it should make 125 SQ according to the builder and 2 tuners. It would have, even at 10.25 compression....problem and it wasn't found until I traveled 200 miles back home and 2 days later. The "Andrews" 4 degree advance gear was engraved wrong from the factory and got thru QC and mounted on my motor ! I have pictures .....so the motor is retarded instead of advanced, which also cuts compression to approx. 9.7 or 180 CCP.
Andrews cost me $582.13 for the tune. 1 night hotel, gas money and a day off work. Their reply was....yes it is engraved wrong.
I will get it back to the dyno in the next few weeks when time allows. Swapping the gear will raise everything and shift to the left.
I just wanted to show you the wrapped louvered baffle chart lines. I agree, it is still loud ! Sounds great for short trips, but this was built to tour ....13k last year.View attachment 6261

Very nice!!

I am keeping the baffle until I get settled and contact a competent tuner in or around St Louis. I just can't stomach buying a whole new exhaust when I know the bike still needs a proper tune. Once I get it tuned right I will make changes to get to where I want to be power wise. Ive gotten used to the FC perf baffle. I cant say that I like it anymore than I did but at least its not annoying me like it was. lol