Header vs. Quiet Performance Muffler w/Tunes

[putz21]

Which would provide more HP gains and throttle response while keeping the sound towards stock levels? Currently have TD Juke Box Stock Muffler tunes (EcoTrail, PowerTrail, and Max Spool 16) with Closed Loop. Looking to add a performance muffler or a header so seeking advice on which one has the best gains in both HP and sound level.

Option A: Stock Header with Quiet Performance Muffler
Option B: Aftermarket Header with Stock Muffler

 

[0degC]

Which would provide more HP gains and throttle response while keeping the sound towards stock levels? Currently have TD Juke Box Stock Muffler tunes (EcoTrail, PowerTrail, and Max Spool 16) with Closed Loop. Looking to add a performance muffler or a header so seeking advice on which one has the best gains in both HP and sound level.

Option A: Stock Header with Quiet Performance Muffler
Option B: Aftermarket Header with Stock Muffler

Option A, if you want to stay close to stock sound go with TD mod stock muffler for a bit more hp. I don’t see the point running a header into stock muffler.

 

[justinator]

option A, precision efi muffler is quiet.......little deeper sound at idle and then sounds stock when up to speed. Most likely makes more power then header into stock muffler and will be durable. Guys around here arent having much luck with TD header being durable for trail using.

 

[2004yamahaviper]

Never ran the header, don't really want to deal with a cracked one on a trail sled (most will eventually crack) I put around 3000k on this winter on the hurricane stock muffler ss bundle and then bought the hurricane trail muffler and switched to the performance ss bundle and put another 3500km on it (nice sound don't find it any louder then a stock apex and was stopped several times on the trail with it and no issues) The performance muffler tunes were alot more responsive especially down low. I had to add quite a bit of clutch weight to run them. Even on the 240 I found it pulled quite a bit harder. Fuel milage was better with the muffler on. Never had the header but my guess if fuel milage would go down a bit.

 

[74Nitro]

option A, precision efi muffler is quiet.......little deeper sound at idle and then sounds stock when up to speed. Most likely makes more power then header into stock muffler and will be durable. Guys around here arent having much luck with TD header being durable for trail using.

Thanks for that info. I was considering a header but need max reliability especially given close proximity to fuel tank.

 

[Crossfire12]

Never ran the header, don't really want to deal with a cracked one on a trail sled (most will eventually crack) I put around 3000k on this winter on the hurricane stock muffler ss bundle and then bought the hurricane trail muffler and switched to the performance ss bundle and put another 3500km on it (nice sound don't find it any louder then a stock apex and was stopped several times on the trail with it and no issues) The performance muffler tunes were alot more responsive especially down low. I had to add quite a bit of clutch weight to run them. Even on the 240 I found it pulled quite a bit harder. Fuel milage was better with the muffler on. Never had the header but my guess if fuel milage would go down a bit.

I have same as above with 270ss can’t beat it!

 

[justinator]

Thanks for that info. I was considering a header but need max reliability especially given close proximity to fuel tank.

I had one and had installed it and everything but was lacking faith so I removed it and returned to stock manifold. A member had mentioned it on here, on a random post and after messaging him I believe he had said he broke 2 headers in 1500 or 1800 miles........something like that. I know of one in the area that only got 600 miles! The gen2 header may be better but its quite costly and I dont know if theres enough run time on any of them yet to determine long term reliability.

 

[SledFreak]

After reading more, I think the Quiet Performance Muffler is the way to go with 240SS-270SS PM tune.

 

[DMCTurbo]

After reading more, I think the Quiet Performance Muffler is the way to go with 240SS-270SS PM tune.

I have a Hurricane trail muffler for sale if your interested.

 

[putz21]

Thanks all for your input here. Think I'll be leaning towards a quiet performance muffler. Liking the feedback I am hearing on the PEFI Trail Muffler.

 

[VX1R]

I just saw this thread and thought I'd give my thoughts. I've never run a header on any of my SW's before as they've all been stock. This season I picked up a new SRX and had a PEFI Stage 2 tune installed along with their quiet Trail Muffler from the get go. IMHO this exhaust is how a SideWinder should sound. A nice throaty rumble at idle and low rpm's and once the rpm's pick up it's hardly louder than the stock exhaust. No annoying drone.

A couple of things to mention....It's just about the same weight as the stock muffler so hardly any weight loss. The fitment is great and the welds are top notch. I also like that the the stock heat shield attaches to it for a stock appearance. It's a quality piece for sure.

 

[74Nitro]

I just saw this thread and thought I'd give my thoughts. I've never run a header on any of my SW's before as they've all been stock. This season I picked up a new SRX and had a PEFI Stage 2 tune installed along with their quiet Trail Muffler from the get go. IMHO this exhaust is how a SideWinder should sound. A nice throaty rumble at idle and low rpm's and once the rpm's pick up it's hardly louder than the stock exhaust. No annoying drone.

A couple of things to mention....It's just about the same weight as the stock muffler so hardly any weight loss. The fitment is great and the welds are top notch. I also like that the the stock heat shield attaches to it for a stock appearance. It's a quality piece for sure.

The three inch?

 

[VX1R]

The three inch?

Their Trail Muffler is a 2.5"

https://precisionefi.myshopify.com/collections/sidewinder/products/2-5-trail-exhaust

 

[justinator]

I dont believe precision makes a 3" muffler. Their trail muffler is 2.5" and it is beautifully made and fit is perfect and its very quiet but unfortunately it doesnt flow very much. They claim it flows enough for their stage 4 320 kit but I cant see how. I upgraded to the td pm bundle last fall from ms16 stock muffler flash. Using ms17 which is a 20hp gain only required 1 gram of clutch weight added and didnt feel much better than ms16. Ms20 didnt feel that great either. After double checking for boost leaks I started to suspect the muffler as it being so quiet it has to give something up in the flow department. I later tried out a hurricane super spool tune and it pulled well but wasnt overly impressed. I ordered a 2.5 sq muffler from td and instantly it transformed the sled. Throttle response was increased, faster spool up and was turning nearly 200rpms more. I will revisit the ms17 td tune next winter with their muffler as I suspect it will be a whole new animal. I will say the overall finish of the td muffler isnt as good as the precision muffler but once installed its all hidden anyway and its fairly inexpensive to purchase. At idle and cruising its pretty comparable to precision muffler. At wide open throttle it definetely has more volume, sports car type tone to it. I think the precision muffler is a good option as long as your not trying to extract the absolute max out of your tune.

 

[VX1R]

Interesting information justinator. I was wondering myself about the actual flow of the PEFI Trail muffler as it weighs close to stock. They must have some extra baffles that restrict the airflow yet still keep it quiet. Thanks for posting your info. Lots of good info here on TY.