SP exhaust on Strada
 

Just thought I would tell you of my thoughts after fitting an SP exhaust to my '94 Strada.
I was always unhappy with the standard exhaust, even after fitting Laser race cans. The engine would rev quite freely, but struggled once it got passed 9000 revs. Fitting a FIM chip helped but still not much happened at high revs.
In fact even on the track it was not worth revving passed 9500, it being better to change up.
A few weeks ago I finally got round to swopping the exhaust for an SP one I got the end of last year.
The change in behavior was dramatic. The exhaust sound is much deeper all through the rev range, but more importantly the engine will now reach 10500 quite easily under acceleration and with no apparent loss in the mid-range.
Apart from the exhaust and FIM chip the engine is completely standard.

I would say it is the best performance mod you can do to the standard 888.

Doug,

Is it a 50mm all through system?

Rgds, Rob

Yes, a complete SP system.

The standard 45mm downpipes fitted with Laser race cans made very little difference, apart from the noise.

Hmmmm....not sure why they would make such a difference to the rev limit. I know that freer flowing cans help the breathing, but my 888 strada revs like a rev hungry thing on standard pipes and on the high level cans I have for it.

Are you sure that there was nothing wrong with it beforehand?

Well I've spent all day fitting an Ex Raymond Roache full 50mm system inc nest of vipers! I'm having trouble with a small blow from round the header inserts any ideas on how to stop them. I've had the whole lot off three times and fettled it but still no joy.

Peter

Duct tape? :lol: Anyway, some of us spend our lives trying to get a small...no let's not go there!

Seriously, I read somewhere that you could get some heat-proof sealant that stays reasonably elastic - so I'm not talking about that epoxy stuff they wrap round blown exhausts, it's stuff that doesn't bake rock hard or glue your system together forever. Trouble is, I can't think for the life of me what it's called

There has been no change to the rev limit, it is just that the amount of power it makes over 9000 makes it worthwhile holding on to the revs before changing up. It is not so noticeable in the lower gears, in fourth and above it makes all the difference. Before anyone says 9000 in fourth is quite fast this was on the back straight at Snetterton!

Anyway the deeper exhaust note would have made it worthwhile on its own.

I also read the Moto One Performance website reports very carefully before deciding to buy a 50mm system, see http://www.moto-one.com.au/performance/ My reading of this was that for 100hp you really needed the 50mm headers, incidentally the ST4 runs 50mm headers to achieve its 102hp. This is also supported by the analysis in Ian Falloon's Ducati Desmoquattro Performance Handbook that mentions the correct ratio for exhaust valve diameter vs header diameter, which comes out at 50mm for the 888. Obviously there are many other factors that affect power, but there are not many you can bolt on yourself in an evening.

In my experience the Strada reaches its rev-ceiling and flattens off much earlier than the SP - even when fitted with race cans/open air-box & chip.

I've always put this down to the different state of its engine tuning - but maybe it has more to do with its more restrictive exhaust?


(Having said that, the Strada feels much more lively with race cans fitted than it does without).

Hi,
I use LOCTITE 5699 Flange Sealant spareingly,it seals my 50mm system on the 851/916sp,the race pipes on my 950 full race bevel and the spannies on my tz's in the past. Leave it to set overnight before fireing it up then you should be ok.It's also easy to take apart,i get mine from BSL.
50mm full systems are to big for a Strada 888/851's, you would need hot cams and larger exhaust valves to take advantage of the big bore header system fully,otherwise your more likely to get less power IMHO.

Steve Robins

Yeah...I agree with Mr R.

I read through the moto-one stuff regularly to fuel my fantasies. If you read the exhaust thread carefully I think that Douglas851 is 5mm out on his sizings. What the moto-one article boils down to is:

888 Standard = 40mm = strangulation
ST4 Standard = 45mm = Good power & torque for not much cash
ST4 DP System = 50mm = No appreciable gain at the top end and a big hole in the torque curve

In summary it seems the 45mm system is the optimum unless you're gonna tune it further

A little blow :eek:
Header inserts :eek:

and now flange sealant :eek: :eek: :eek:

Does the webteam know about this thread !!!

I have just gone out to the garage and measured all the various exhausts I have.
Standard 888, 40mm headers. Standard ST4, 45mm headers. SP2 exhaust on bike 45mm headers and 50mm silencers. So, yes I was 5mm out, but the bike has the right size.
Still very happy with what I have.

If you have ST4 headers, there will be something radical, that has to happen, or has happened , on the rear header near the middle of the bend, so it clears the swing arm. Hence Moto one ref "modified". I have a set.

Griff

For sale?

My ST4 headers are awaiting modification, which is why I went for the SP system when it came up on ebay.
The ST4 headers are accident damaged, but easily fixable. I can send pictures if someone is interested in buying them.

Well guy's I have spoken to Geoff baines and he said that the 50mm is the optimum system for the 888 this with a matching eprom and open air box can be set up with very good results.

Peter

I have an 851. Not a 888. And a 50mm system is perfect for an 888, as long as cams are dailed in,and its heads have had a good talking to. And of coarse a nice serve of light crisp chip! "Got to get 'em flowing, to get 'em going!"
If not either one will still give good results.
For me 45mm is el perfecto. They work so well I think due to the header manifold being 10 years futher advanced in design than the old 50mm. One day I will actually get to start my bike and find out.

Griff

Hi Peter
Any pics of the system (fitted)? Good to meet up with you the other week, hope the hotel is still keeping you busy to.

Where did you get the open air box cover from - you mentioned it at the time but I've forgotten!


Stuart

Sorry Jools not for sale, I had to wait until a set turned up on ebay, got them for $AU80 delivered. Slightly damaged, a ding in the frt bend.
Griff.