[brancher]

Update on my new '02 .....

I got some pipes the other day and installed them on my '02 Nomad. I've had the bike for about 3 weeks now, have put (including today) about 900 miles on her. Today's ride of about 150 miles was the first significant ride since the pipe install.

First, the Cobra pipes went on easily, and although I've seen a few posts about quality, fit, finish, and sound, I have experienced none of these with the Cobra Slash Cuts. Took me about an hour to get the old ones off (the Goat belly(?) was stubborn), and another hour or so to get the Cobras just right. I have lots of metric and SAE tools, so maybe I was able to adjust 'em so that they worked out. Or, maybe just lucky ...

The sound is about 1000% better than stock, deep rumble at idle, loud but not obnoxiously loud, really lets you know you're rolling on on the highway. Took it out for a test run, only a few miles on Saturday evening, felt fine but no miraculous power increase or acceleration curve. Just a really cool sound.

I got a fuel optimizer on Saturday morning, the RevTech DFO kit. No software downloads, no waiting list. It has four pots, for idle, midrange acceleration, top end roll-on, and crossover rpm. I tuned it to spec, then adjusted the midrange just a tad. Finished the install yesterday afternoon. The box took me exactly 1 day and 30 minutes to install -- 30 minutes to get it hooked up and 1 day to work up the nerve to tap into my injector wiring!

Today I met some friends for breakfast and a long ride down around the Outer Banks. First real test for the gizmo. We did about 150 miles, mostly at highway speeds (60-70 mph), in windy and blustery conditions, and the bike performed very well. I must say I am extremely pleased with the pipes and DFO so far. Acceleration from stop was fine (though nothing to rave about), but upon going into second, then third, I could feel a noticeable difference in throttle, acceleration, and smoothness. Roll-on in fourth and fifth gears was hearty and assertive. Deceleration was smooth with no backfiring or popping, and the pipes gave a low, audible rumble at cruising speeds. In short, this setup is everything I expected.

I didn't do the dyno piece yet, and don't know that I will. I am very pleased so far. Over time, I will play with the DFO a bit to optimize. I'll keep you posted.

Next stop: The K&N arrives tomorrow.

br

 

[bikeaholic]

re

do the dyno!!! i'm not that familiar with revtech's unit
i'd like to see some #'s :wink:

 

[brancher]

Gimme a bit of time - so I can find someone around here to do it......

I'll let you know.

br

 

[dfgpilot]

Hi Brancher,

I just finished installing the Cobra Slash Cuts on my Nomad too.
I really appreciated the sound after I let one of my friends take my Nomad for a ride just to hear it do a take off and a Drive By. It sounded great.

You will also need to retune with the K&N Air Filter. Maybe DFO has some spec adjustments on file for the K&N. My Nomad ran pretty well with the PCIII/usb factory map with the Stock Air Filter. However, when put on the PC Dyno it showed that the bike was still running lean in the mid range where you normally ride. When the K&N was installed the Dyno showed it ran even leaner. The Custom Dyno Mapping was well worth doing.

A lean air/fuel mixture is far more worse on a engine than a rich mixture.
If you get the opportunity for a Dyno do it. A Dyno pull only is like $75.00. It'll show you exactly what your engine is doing.

Good luck with your ride.

DfgPilot

 

[brancher]

Thanks, Df,

If the air filter comes in today, I'll stick it on and listen (and tweak) over the next few days. And if I get the chance, I'll put it on a dyno and post the numbers as soon as I can.

thanks for the tips.

br

 

[brancher]

DFG -- AIR INSTALLED - WHAT ABOUT AIR FLOW?

DF,

Hey,

When you installed the K&N Air Filter, did you bother to look at the air path (source) in the backplate casing? I have a snorkel that leads from the back of hte backplate, up over the rear tower, under the tank, and on to the back of the seat (somewhere - I haven't torn it down to find out where yet).

Anyway, it looks like that's the only source of air for the filter - the tube takes on air - air travels thru snorkel to filter casing - thru filter - thru holes to intake - and into intake. And I wonder:

1. Should I disconnect the snorkel?
2. What if I drilled some 1/4" holes equidistant around the backplate perimeter - that would increase air flow - ?
3. I wonder what the other end of the snorkel tube connects to?

When I put my new filter on, I didn't notice any change or improvement in performance, deceleration behavior, or anything else. Of course, it's been raining here since Tuesday, so I haven't had a chance to do much experimenting this week.

Anyone have any ideas? I have a sneaking suspicion I could pull the whole snorkel, tube, and all, put a few perforations in the backplate, and not have any ill effects. Matter of fact, I'd almost bet it would increase air (and behavior) significantly.....

Comments?

br

 

[dfgpilot]

Hi Brancher,

There wasn't a big change in performance when I installed the K&N either. The dyno showed that the engine was running leaner compared to the stock air filter. I did get almost 1hp more when finished having my PCIII custom mapped.

Didn't check out the air path source. I believe that the size of the air box & the amount of air filter restriction really controls air into the intake. I'm not sure punching a few extra holes would make that much difference. You may actually disturb the smooth air flow to some extent the factory created.

Try this test if you like. Remove the air filter temporarily for a short run around the block. There are no particles in the air that are that big to harm your engine.
(just don't try this on a dirt road and no need for parental approval- LOL)
If you find a major performance improvement you'll need to decide how best to improve that air flow.

Short of doing internal engine mods, replacing the Stock Air Filter and/or Changing the Air Box are just about the only additional intake performance improvements available.
That is why you see all these different air box set up kits. My dealership
recommended putting on a Thunder Air Box,V&H or Cobra Pipes , and the PCIII/usb.
Some bikers put on a Hypercharger or Cadmann Kit. I read a article where Kawasaki put a turbocharger on the Nomad.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/nomad01/

Anyhow,I haven't changed my air box(as of yet)since I like that stock look at present. Will see what the future brings.

DfgPilot