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While Harleys are already high-performance bikes, once you start adding aftermarket parts, youll find new projects to make yours even better. Make your Harley faster, louder and more powerful while adding a bit of the cool factor by modifying the stock exhaust.

Instructions

Decide Why You Want to Modify Your Harley

1

Choose vanity over performance. Many Harley owners dislike the stock crossover pipes (which have been hidden on newer models) or they want their pipes a certain length. While you can pretty much fit anything you can imagine to your exhaust system, you will sacrifice performance in many cases.

2

Hear me roar. Nothing says chopper like a nice loud growl issuing from your Harley. The rumble screams Harley with every grind. Long, straight unmuffled pipes create the loudest bang for your buck. Stock Harley exhausts minimize motorcycle noise as much as possible.

3

Go fast. Certain exhausts may provide better performance, but make sure that your aftermarket parts not only work with your bike, but also provide the boost you desire. In some cases, improving one area may be at the expense of other parts of your engine.

Choose Parts to Modify Harley Exhausts

4

Choose only Harley exhausts for the best performance, while meeting often-restrictive legal requirements. Other companies do exist, but make sure the parts you buy are new and direct from a manufacturer to avoid future problems.

5

Check your states laws regarding aftermarket exhaust systems. Most aftermarket mufflers are illegal. California laws tend to be stricter than the other 49 states, so double-check your modifications if you live there. Besides seeing what it street legal, also check your neighborhoods anti-noise ordinances.

6

Buy parts that can be easily assembled and placed if you plan to do the work yourself. Removing the stock pipes is easy, but you want to make sure the rest of the process remains so.

7

Install heat shields specific to your new exhaust. Without a heat shield, you will see some bluing around the heads. Heat shields can be customized to the look of your motorcycle.

8

Look for warranties on your aftermarket parts. Most exhaust kits from reputable dealers ship with some sort of warranty. Discoloration of parts is not covered in most cases.

Removing the stock exhaust system will allow you to replace it with a new system or upgrade it with an aftermarket system. If your exhaust system has damage to it, replacement pieces are available from most auto-parts stores but replacement of the entire system with a more free-flowing, larger-diameter exhaust system can increase the performance and fuel economy of your Dodge truck. Another option is to replace the system from the catalytic converter to the back if you prefer.

Instructions

1

Raise the rear of your Dodge truck with a jack and support it under the rear axle with a set of jack stands positioned under the rear frame rails. Move your jack to the front of the truck and raise it as well, placing a second set of jack stands under the frame rails in the front. Make sure the truck is very stable before working under it.

2

Position yourself under the rear of the truck and remove the tailpipe section first. Remove the exhaust clamp from the pipe between the tailpipe and the muffler, using a socket and ratchet. Slide the tailpipe hanger out of the rubber isolator on the frame and remove the tailpipe from under the truck.

3

Move forward to the front of the muffler and remove the exhaust clamp with a socket and ratchet. Slide the muffler forward to remove the two rod hangers from the rubber isolators on the frame. Lower the muffler down and remove it from under the truck.

4

Move forward to the front exhaust pipe and catalytic converter. Locate the retaining bolts where the front pipe and the exhaust manifold meet. There are two on each side. Remove the retaining bolts using a socket and ratchet.

5

Pull the pipe down and slide the mounting rod on the catalytic converter out of the rubber isolator on the frame, then remove the pipe and converter as a unit. Slide the assembly out from under the truck.