Could this be a thing or am I just being crazy?

What's stopping someone from fabricating custom 2 into 1 head pipes that accept some sort of after market performance muffler?

I've searched but couldn't find anything. Could this be done much cheaper than buying a new Bassani or similar 2 into 1 exhaust system?

 

Like everything else in life these days, exhaust design has come on a lot in recent years. If you take a close look at any 2-into-1 system, such as my SuperTrapp, you will find that the two pipes come together into a collector that is far larger in diameter than any aftermarket muffler. No muffler intended for a stock twin pipe system will fit.

Can it be done cheaper than a ready made system? Not IMHO. In addition the major manufacturers have knowledge and expertise in designing their products that we don't have access to. So IMHO it cannot be readily done as effectively as a purpose designed system. Not a crazy idea, but there are some great products available to us with minimum effort!

I had true duals on my bike previously and had it dynoed by the same shop with them on, then again later with my Supermeg. The headline numbers are very close, but the improved smoothness and low/mid range torque with the 2-into-1 has been quite a revelation. I recommend you try one!

 

I have mix feeling about the looks of the 2>1 exhaust system on my '15 FXDL from a visual perspective.
What is it about the design that makes a 2>1 give it improved smoothness and low/mid range torque?
I'd like to know before I go to a Stage 1.

Many thanks!

 

To the OP, sure it can be and has been done. You will usually find them on big inch high performance builds. These folks http://www.burnsstainless.com/ will sell you the pieces to weld up pretty much anything you can dream up.

That being said, it's probably not very cost effective unless you are a good fab/welder person and have a lot of free time and material. For the average build or stock motor, I don't believe you would gain anything over what is available.

 

Every modern road vehicle with two or more cylinders has a collector-type of exhaust. The reason is that by doing so the pulses created by each cylinder are used to improve the performance of the others, which benefits low/mid range torque in particular.

The latest touring Harleys have a clever '2-into-1-into-2' system, which does exactly that. The crucial feature is the way the two headers are brought together, after that the good work has been done and they can split the outlet into two!

Every Harley for many years, although it may look as if it has two separate pipes, actually has a cross-over pipe, for the same reason. Harley has simply found a way to hide it from view! Engine performance and rideability is improved over the earlier separate pipes.

 

Good discussion, thanks for the input!