THe stock exhaust has got to go, period. No slip ons for me (to each his own, but its gotta be a full system. Afterall, the stock exhaust weighs something like 45 pounds.

www.motostarz.com has the Akro full system. Akropovic and Brock's both make full dual systems for the 2012 model. I would prefer the look of a dual full system, but good GOD, they sure are proud of them suckers!

But does the dual system offer that much better flow/performance over the single side to warrant that much more money ? I see the dual systems are something like $2,300 or so, whereas you can get a full single side system for $880 (Yoshi) to $1,300 or so.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 8/26/2012 @ 8:29 PM *

Don't know about the ZX14R but prior to that, Brock's Performance CT-Duals made the most HP on a stock motor of any of the full exhausts, hands down.

I wonder if anyone on here has a full dual system, and is it worth it?

All the excess weight of the stock exhaust is in the mufflers and cats. If your header has a cat, once you remove it, it will be just about the same weight as an aftermarket header. Aftermarket pipes DO look nicer, but you can't see 'em, so what's the difference? The only difference you'll notice between slip-ons and a full dual system is when you have the plastic off for maintenance. If you're really concerned about the looks, have the stock header plasma-sprayed by Jet Hot Coatings. Still cheaper than the full duals.

Well, there are other performance gains by going to a full system vs just slip ons, in theory the fully system should be a free-er flowing design, mostly by removing the 1st catalytic converter located in the mid-pipe and if you go with a full titanium system, there's a significant weight savings not only from the pipe, but also your wallet.

Eventually I would like to get a full system as well, and I'll be looking into the single sided pipes mainly to make it easier to maintain the chain :)

I love not only the look of duals, but also the sound of duals.

I have thought about it and I don't want to get a full single side system only to regret it later, wishing I'd have waited til I could afford the dual full system..

So just I'll wait till I have enought $$$ to get exactly what I want. So stock will have to do for now.

"Eventually I would like to get a full system as well, and I'll be looking into the single sided pipes mainly to make it easier to maintain the chain :)"...yep....one reason I went single full system.I wanted the 'best' performance if I was gonna buy a piping deal....as opposed to slips(which I had before).Also...that chain.This makes it SO MUCH nicer to actually maintain the chain like it should be.Cleaning...lubing, adjusting...oh yeah...WAY better.

"Well, there are other performance gains by going to a full system vs just slip ons, in theory the fully system should be a free-er flowing design,"

"In theory" being the key words here. Although titanium is a bit lighter than the stock header, which is low-grade stainless, I'd have to see a dyno chart with no other changes to bear that statement out.

One of the mags put a full Akro Ti system on a ZX10R ($1800 worth) and got ZERO horsepower gain. So, a little less weight, yes, a little better looking, yes, but performance gains? No. If you have the cat in the header, it can be removed.

* Last updated by: Danno on 8/29/2012 @ 3:27 AM *

Here is the Kawasaki specifics regarding the 45 pound gigantic exhaust on the 2012 ZX14R.

Revised High-flow Exhaust System

All-new header assembly has tapered-diameter pipes for optimal power production and power delivery characteristics
Newly designed mufflers offer lower noise emissions and, due to the dual catalyzers, are cleaner than before
Airflow into the exhaust from the large secondary air ports in the cylinder head and head cover, plus a third honeycomb catalyzer in the collector, help meet strict Euro III emissions standards Internal silencer construction minimizes impact of emissions regulations while maintaining impressive top-end power

Sounds to me like their hands were tied by emmission standards that had to be met. Either that, or they are in cahoots to get a share of the aftermarket exhuast incomes. LOL

The stock exhaust is unimpressive in everyway. Seems to be among the first prioroties to replace it, for just about every ZX owner.

The link: http://www.brocksperformance.com/brocknm/templates/bpp1.aspx?articleid=259&zoneid=22

I am holding out for a full dual system, regardless of what I have to do get get it, or how long I have to wait. Do it right the first time. I don't want to be trying to resell a used single full exhaust system and take another loss, when I can just wait til I can swing it for a full dual system.

The sound must be fantastic of a dual Brock or Akropovic full system. Not only the more impressive looks and sound, but I imagine the power may also be a bit better from teh full single system, as well. But if it turns out that the power difference is minimal, thats OK, too, cause the looks and dual sound will make up for it.

At least to me.

Once I get a Powercommmander V and full dual system I plan to have it dynoed to see just what has resulted form it.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 8/29/2012 @ 8:46 PM *

There is no power advantage to be had from a dual system....... None period !!

Get the Akra single system and be done... it produces the highest HP and midrange over any system out there.

Ivan
http://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com/12zx14.htm
http://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com/12zx142.htm

* Last updated by: Ivan on 8/30/2012 @ 9:37 AM *

Can't argue with concrete results.Wow,this bike is a monster with a pipe and PC.

So it all comes down to if the sound and look of duals are worth the extra $1000.

I appreciate the info.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 8/30/2012 @ 11:29 AM *

Yeah, I'm no expert but 4 into 1 system will produce the most power for these type of engines, something to do with exhaust flow pulses matching up or something. Dual exhausts are primarily for the looks, and will typically produce a little less potential horsepower (everything else equal) to a single exhaust system.

That being said, I just got 2 slip-ons for my beast. I can't get too excited by a gain of around 10HP (5% increase) and 5-6ft lbs of torque for the cost of a full + PCV, etc.,. I also had a ZRX, and with Ivan's kit you went from 115HP at the wheel to around 135HP, a more significant 18% increase in power. You could feel the difference with that.

I'm sure with Ivan's it's also a matter of response, driveability and smoothness, so one day I may splurge for a PCV and map. But I think for just the power increase I'll hold off for now as the bang for the buck isn't terribly high in my reckoning.

Brocks Ct duals made a bit better hp and tq than the CT single and the weight was just a tiny bit more than the single.

I think the performance improvement was considered negligible however. Many drag racers seemed to favor the single over the dual. I would ask at bikeland zx14.com if performance is your main concern. Lots of serious racers over there .

CLICK>>

http://www.bikeland.org/board/forumdisplay.php?FID=27

Thanks, Rook.

I've been looking around on that forum, but not very much. I'll have a look again.

I read that single put out more than a dual system, but you think otherwise? If so, that's even better. LOL

To me, with the power the bike has outta the crate, the performance gain is part of it, yeah, but I think impressive sound and asthetics and how the exhaust looks and blends with the rest of the machine............those are also big factors in getting duals over a single full system.

Nothing sounds as impressive and beefy as duals, to me anyway. I think getting the full daul system would be killer from every standpoint............except the price.

I read that single put out more than a dual system, but you think otherwise?

Could be that the single is now outdoing the dual by a couple hp. That trend was reversed a couple years back when the CT systems came out. Then they came pout with the CT meg. Maybe thatis when the single edged out the dual. Any way you want to go, I imagine all the CT systems are very close in performance. If that is the way you want to go, just call Brock and ask him for the ##.

My bike lost power with single system, and it was noticeable ! I went back too duals almost immediately

Thanks.

I got a response from Brock, and duals put out slightly more mid range and top end than single.

Given everything, looks, sound (apparent sound-amazing), and also performance, (although that is only slight) Brock's dual full system sounds like what I want.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 9/4/2012 @ 10:37 AM *

Correction,........ Brock said midrange power and torque are a little better from the dual system as opposed to the single. He didn't say top end.

Sorry for the mistake.

You can get on his sight and look at the dyno charts.But it's for 1st generation.The dual header has about 4hp better in the midrange.If I didn't get my Alienhead used for $650 in grat condition I would of bought one.
Craig

Ordered the Brock system.

AWESOME!!

Yeah, I am excited. I decided not to skimp and all, and had to go balls out on the exhaust, expecially for a bike of this magnitude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwndsk7tJeY

The sound of the system, even over a small computer speaker set. Wow.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DBn_a__5ik&feature=related

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 9/5/2012 @ 9:04 PM *

It's easy to figure.The scavange result from a 4-1 or 4-2-1 just makes sense.I always had a 4-1 on all my 4 cyl bikes since my Z-1 in 1975.When I get the new bike I would like someting a little more quieter.Would have to talk to Ivan about that when the time comes.
Craig

Power in a box!!!!

Let's see a picture of that header.