Mac 4-1 canister exhaust :-)

[AlexP1289]

Ok so I just purchased an aftermarket MAC 4-1 canister exhaust (black headers, then turns into chrome tail pipe) for my 1983 kz550m ltd. I still have to get a jet kit for all the carburetors. I just have a few questions for the performance gurus out there.


http://www.macperformance.com/store/images/802-0801.jpg


1. The exhaust comes with a removable baffle, should i take it out and leave it straight pipes (i think it would sound better, but would it?)?

2. How much, roughly will my MPG drop?

3. Will i be able to notice a lot of performance increase?

4. How loud do u think it will be, like a Harley straight pipes, will it sound racing type (i mean not like a GSX-R, but nice and intimidating to street cars) or old biker noise?

5. Whats would be an average estimate for doing a jet kit if i brought the carburators to my local shop (they charge $70 per hour)?

6. I already use 93 octane gasoline will i be stuck with that type due to the increased need of the engine?

7. Will i need different spark plugs?

Thanks,
Alex

[antiq]

If the exhaust is all you change you shouldn't need to re-jet. You may need to adjust your air/fuel mixture screws a bit. Leave the baffle in. It will sound great as is while you are getting on it but won't be real loud at idle. 87 octane should be just fine. Your mileage should remain roughly as it is. Well maybe just a little less while you are rapping the throttle just to hear it. No plug change needed. If you haven't yet installed wired georges coil mod. You should.

[Ericthejet]

Originally Posted by AlexP1289

Ok so I just purchased an aftermarket MAC 4-1 canister exhaust (black headers, then turns into chrome tail pipe) for my 1983 kz550m ltd. I still have to get a jet kit for all the carburetors. I just have a few questions for the performance gurus out there.


http://www.macperformance.com/store/images/802-0801.jpg


1. The exhaust comes with a removable baffle, should i take it out and leave it straight pipes (i think it would sound better, but would it?)?

2. How much, roughly will my MPG drop?

3. Will i be able to notice a lot of performance increase?

4. How loud do u think it will be, like a Harley straight pipes, will it sound racing type (i mean not like a GSX-R, but nice and intimidating to street cars) or old biker noise?

5. Whats would be an average estimate for doing a jet kit if i brought the carburators to my local shop (they charge $70 per hour)?

6. I already use 93 octane gasoline will i be stuck with that type due to the increased need of the engine?

7. Will i need different spark plugs?

Thanks,
Alex

1. Leave the baffle in place.
2. Minimal drop.
3. Not much if any but it'll sound better. Maybe a bit at higher rpm's.
4. Youtube I'm sure has examples of smaller cc engines with pipes. My 900cc bike with a Hindle has a low growl
but the same exhaust on your smaller engine will produce a different sound.
5. I'd say bank on 3 hours.
6. As long as the engine doesn't ping you can use any pump fuel 'cept for diesel. I use regular with no issues.
Very hot days, hard riding, heavier load would warrant higher octane. Increased octane slows down the combustion of fuel under compression BTW.
7. Not likely, but you will be checking them once a week once the pipe is in place for about 3 weeks to verify the internal environment. Tan-ish is a good sign

[AlexP1289]

i payed roughly $300.00 includes shipping for the exhaust.

Thanks

[ssrsonny]

if it takes 3 hours to install a jet kit with the carbs already off i would find another mechanic.it takes about an hour to clean the carbs and install the jet kit with the carbs removed from bike.mac headers are very restrictive with the stock baffle in it.i just done a 550 gpz earlier this year that someone had already been messing with.it was so rich it was fouling plugs.you cant buy the stock jets from kawasaki anymore i ended up putting 4 k & n's on it and raising the needles .040.ran fine after that.

[AlexP1289]

so wait im getting mixed answers here if i leave the baffle in i dont have to change the jets and it will still be restrictive. but if the baffle comes out i have to re-jet the carbs, thus getting more performance? And what exactly does a baffle do is it a silencer of sorts, if it comes out it will sound the same but just louder than if it was in?

[ssrsonny]

all bikes are not the same but every time i have use a mac pipe i have had trouble with the jetting being to rich with the baffl in.it will be a lot louder with the baffle out.if it is to rich the dyno-jet kit will not help you.they did'nt have any smaller jets than the stock jets.good luck