Header Material

[MotoPsycho]

Anybody got any idea what the stock head pipes are made out of ? 316ss, 304ss? If it can be done I was thinking about cutting the innards out of the crossover and TIG'n some 16ga sheet in its place. Who's did something like this before ?

[koko64]

The stock crossover actually works well from reports I've seen from at least two testers (Brad Black and Doug Lofgren). I have seen a full system version by Staintune that had the crossover bores enlarged and I have seen two out of the four crossover sections enlarged on stock headers.
Not worth messing with it imo.

[MotoPsycho]

Noted, thank you. It just looks so restrictive. I saw one Randy at StradaFab did for one of his systems that was a couple of elbows joined together. was very nice.

[Düb Lüv]

Noted, thank you. It just looks so restrictive. I saw one Randy at StradaFab did for one of his systems that was a couple of elbows joined together. was very nice.

That's how the old ferracci headers were designed like on my first m900. Slightly larger stainless steel with 4 elbow fitting to make up the crossover. It was a lot lighter than stock also.

[monsta]

at a guess, I'd say it would be 304 stainless...

you wont be able to get elbow's with a small enough radius to make the crossover. buy an exhaust donut (in the pic) and cut it up...

easy enough job if you have some TIG skillz.   

[koko64]

Looks a similar enhancement to the pipes once available from Staintune.
I was at a custom/performance exhaust shop the other day and saw Magnaflow custom headers for a performance V8 that had that same style crossover.
Apparently it is a very effective design and great Ducati utilized it oem, but of course in a cheaper stamped version for mass production.
There was a thread where someone suggested Staintune might get the old jigs out and make a set if one enquired iirc. Might be worth asking Ferracci the same question. For some reason only two of the four crossovers were worked on my old Superlight's oem headers. When I asked about it, I vaguely remember someone saying it was too much open volume for the stock header size to open all four, but good with larger headers. I don't know if that was tested or theory with the bike. Someone here might be able to elaborate on that.

[koko64]

That's how the old ferracci headers were designed like on my first m900. Slightly larger stainless steel with 4 elbow fitting to make up the crossover. It was a lot lighter than stock also.

Very nice.

[brad black]

http://www.bikeboy.org/888st4ex.html

third graph down compares std stamped st4 collector to fabricated style.  some size difference too, so read the rext.

[koko64]

Thanks, maybe it was you. Very interesting that what looks cheap and nasty does such a good job.

[MotoPsycho]

Thank You Brad. I love it when I think I have a good idea and you guys snap me back into reality.