| Author | Message | ||
     Kiwi |
Is the M2 race kit worth the money over a slip on.I have searched the archives but cannot find too much information,the race kit comes with complete exhaust,ecm and sportster style air filter.My intention is to change exhaust,fit a 42 flat slide and S1 cams.Any input would be appreciated | ||
| Djkaplan |
I recently installed a race kit on my 2000 M2 and wasn't impressed with the entire kit. The CF cover for the race filter cracked where my knee kept hitting it, the race ignition doesn't make a noticeable difference until it reaches the limiter (same rev limit as stock, though), and the race muffler is heavy and has a Mickey Mouse rear hanger arrangement. The only part of the race kit that I found made a difference was the race header. With the stock M2 cams, it wasn't a night and day difference, but it did accentuate the mid-range a bit. You'll probably notice a bigger difference the hotter the cams you run. I never installed the stainless steel race muffler because it weighed over twice as much as the V&H I ran with the stock header (I still have the new muffler in the box). Race kit exhaust systems for tubers have a reputation for shaking themselves apart... I think it's because the muffler is way too heavy. I modified my old V&H to work with the race header and it works fine (it probably doesn't sound as good a the race muffler though). If I were to do it again, I'd just get the race header instead of the whole kit (they are available separately). I wound up only using the ignition and the header from my race kit. Be aware that race kits for 97-98, 99-00, 01-02 M2's are different. | ||
| Kiwi |
Djkaplan,Thanks for the advice.I have an o2 cyclone and a 98 s1(42mikuni and carbon ss2r) .I,m trying to get the cyclones power and mid range equal to the s1. | ||
| Xldevil |
Hey. I've installed the whole race kit as well. IMO,it's a vast improvement over the stock assemblie.The muffler is better than a V&H anyway.I tried both. Much more power and torque from idle to red line. Ralph | ||
| Kiwi |
There is a race kit on ebay listed for a 99-00, could i use everything except the ecm.Also at $4oo is that a reasonable price. | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
I am one week away from having a complete 'race kit' on my bike (99 M2) - Air cleaner has proven to hold up fine, my knee does hit it, but not major enough to cause issues (I am 6'2") ... I noticed a BIG difference with the race ignition, even when combined with just the air cleaner and a V&H slip-on with stock header. I do believe I will notice much more as the one thing I agree with Djkaplan on is the header, that is where the biggest difference will probably come from( from what I have heard and read). Can't say the race can is a huge improvement as far as performance over a Slip-on, but when all 'race' items are on as a whole, I believe the gains to be very noticeable as they were all designed to work with each other. Brian btw - I am one week away because I am waiting to ceramic coat my race header, have the can repacked and waiting. (Message edited by tattoodnscrewd on September 19, 2006) | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
$400 is a reasonable price for a whole race kit, I paid 300 for my race exhaust. I don't think you want to just use the exhaust and air cleaner though. It was designed to be used with all 3 components, I would go for all if you had the choice. Keep in mind, if you are running stock now, the carb will have to be rejetted as well with a race kit. | ||
| Aldaytona |
After reading almost every M2 mod posts in the KV in 2000, I couldn't find one that showed over 1 hp gain with the race ecm. Most dyno charts at that time seemed to show the most hp gains with the carb done, stock gutted air box, and a tunable (plates) slip on. Worked for me. | ||
| Tunes |
I have 20K miles on my race kitted S3. No cracks, breaks, loose hdw, nothin'. Every 8-9K miles, I repack the race muffler. I noticed a huge difference in performance between stock and full race kit. If I were to modify an M2, I'd go for the Buell Race kit, install the entire system, tune it, and go! | ||
| Sickquad |
2000 M2. I put on the race exhaust and intake. I sold the ignition box. I tried jetting it myself and couldn't figure out a dead spot mid throttle. Got it dyno tuned, ended up with 85hp and 82 ft-lbf. No dead spot and a serious snap off throttle compared to my own tuning. Muffler is starting to get loud, might need a repacking after 10k miles. | ||
| Captainkirk |
I installed the entire race kit with the HSR42 and Andrews N8 cams..... The difference was unbelievable! Some notes; 1)I have a 34" inseam. My right knee rubs on the CF cover, but I got used to it. 2)The rev limiter IS higher on the race ignition module....if memory serves, it goes up to 6800 RPM 3) I did not find the rear hanger to be Mickey Mouse at all; much better than the stock Z-bracket 4) the race muffler is much lighter than stock. 5) the HSR is well worth whatever you spend both in throttle response, and ease/variety of tuneability options. You won't be sorry; unless you like to go slow. | ||
| Stingaroo |
Hey Captain, did you install the N8s yourself? I was thinking once I get some back pay from the military to invest a few bucks in the bike. I have almost the exact same set up on my '01 except the N8s and the ignition module. | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
"....I couldn't find one that showed over 1 hp gain with the race ecm" I know that the dyno shows basically the same curve, but most of those, self included, that have them notice a big difference, may not be a hp gain, but seat of the pants, the little extra at higher rpm's .. there is definitely a difference... for what it's worth - baseline run of my bike, with race ignition, pro series air cleaner, and a V&H exhaust on stock headers yielded 83 rwhp(Even with a margin of error taken into consideration,it's a big difference from stock). Something made a difference ... I'd bet the ignition helped some, but not on it's own, has to be in conjunction with the other components. I am planning on doing some dyno tuning once the full race exhaust is on to determine if just tuning the stock carb or upping to a 42 will make me happy... I will post results when I do. | ||
| Buellinator |
The race kit is a great investment. I paid $800CAN installed for mine when I bought the bike after consulting with Buell owners via the web. My tuner also feels that it's the best way to go. My bike makes 79 rwhp and 80 ft/lbs torque. I still think the carb needs to be dialed in a bit. YMMV | ||
| Blake |
The race kit for the tube framers doesn't boost peak HP much, but it boosts the mid-range a bunch. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Here is a great thread with dyno tests comparing the stock 99-00 M2 ignition module with the race module. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/10398.html?1059591514 (Thanks again, Aaron) The answers are actually out there! "The rev limiter IS higher on the race ignition module....if memory serves, it goes up to 6800 RPM" I think thats the limit for stock ignition, too. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Here is another thread with dyno tests comparing a Forcewinder against a race kit filter on an S1 with a Mikuni.. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/11192.html?1113852451 I was surprised that the Forcewinder has a fatter curve with just a little less peak HP than the factory race filter. I would have figured the race filter to be superior throughout the powerband. | ||
| Captainkirk |
"Hey Captain, did you install the N8s yourself?" Yeah, I did the cams at the same time as the race kit and the HSR. I had leaking rocker gaskets, so I did the two-piece metal gaskets at the same time. It's not a bad job if you take your time and follow the manual. I'd suggest replacing your oil pump gear while you're in there. If you need help. I've got pix I could post and maybe talk you through it. One thing; the M2 with N8s is a whole new animal...no more mild-mannered Clark Kent. The torque band is up from 2K to about 3K and really doesn't start cranking until about 35, but then it's Katie bar the door! Would I go back? No. It just takes a bit of getting used to. I posted some about it in the KV back when I did 'em. | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
In regards to the dyno testing with and without race ignition: I don't pay attention much to the rev limit, before or after using the race ignition, so I won't comment on the rev limit changing or not changing. But the rise in torque throughout the rpm range, not meaning peak, would give the seat of the pants feel I was referring to, it is a noticeable amount. But either way, that was also only based on one bike's performance, that doesn't make it absolute, very soon we can add my 99 M2's dyno results. IMO -It helps, there had to be a reason it was part of the race kit. |
