Vance & Hines Ss2-R Slip-On Muffler
VANCE & HINES SS2-R SLIP-ON MUFFLER
CW EVALUATION
Buell boom box
THE BUELL S1 LIGHTNING'S HIGHvolume, automotive-style muffler is a technical marvel, full of computer generated, multiple-chamber baffling designed to enhance performance and suppress noise. Too bad, then, that it looks like something borrowed from an old Packard.
For a more aesthetically appealing alternative, Vance & Hines (14010 Marquardt Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670; 310/921-7461) produces a polished-aluminum slip-on modeled after its popular oval SS2-R. Despite obvi ous visual similarities, though, there is one all-important difference: Be cause the S 1 calls for a comparatively short, under-engine application, the baffle is a straight-through, perforated design rather than the noise-con scious, triple-chambered assembly common to other SS2-Rs.
Installation is easy, once you've re moved the stock muffler. This involves collapsing the rear suspension, so the chassis should be supported with some sort of stand. Four bolts and a clamp hold the 10.5-pound stocker in place; the 5.5-pound SS2-R comes with a stamped-steel mounting bracket and a spacer, but otherwise uses the original hardware. For optimum performance, V&H recommends installing a jet kit from Factory Professional Tuning Components (21A Golden Gate Dr., San Rafael, CA 94901; 800/8690497), which includes a selection of main and pilot jets and a variable-posi tion titanium needle.
Don't look for impressive top-end gains with the SS2-R. Peak horsepow er was identical to stock (76 bhp, in back-to-back tests). The midrange im provement, however, is extraordinary. Indeed, the rejetted Si (#210 main, #42 pilot, needle in the third position, fuel screw three turns out) produced 53 horsepower and 73 foot-pounds of torque at 3800 rpm. That's an addi tional 11 horsepower and 16 more foot-pounds, smack in the middle of an already-broad powerband. What's more, top-gear roll-ons from 60-80 mph plummeted from 3.9 seconds to just 2.9 seconds.
Off the bottom, though, the SS2-R lost 7 horsepower and nearly 15 foot pounds of torque-chalk up the deficit to reduced back pressure. In the real world, this translates to .4-second slower 40-60 mph acceleration. Quar ter-mile ET and trap speeds paral leled stock.
Considering the S 1 `s sporting mis sion and the revvy nature of the Buell tuned engine, the bottom-end loss is tolerable, especially when you consider that the midrange gains are nothing short of staggering. Also, the shiny alu minum muffler, nickel-plated connector pipe and billet-aluminum end cap are undeniably attractive-a real improve ment over the factory part. On the downside, the straight-through SS2-R emits more noise than stock, although the muffler is not as audibly offensive as some of the race-oriented systems that are currently available.
At $295 for aluminum ($410 for carbon-fiber), the SS2-R is competi tively priced. Factor in its impressive midrange performance boost and the Vance & Hines SS2-R is definitely ahottip.
