Cat Bypass - The Next Step in Heat Reduction

[robmorg]

My Lamonster Cat Bypass just arrived today from Pit Bull Powersports. :clap: I uploaded a picture of it in case anyone would like to see what one looks like. (See thumbnail below) Thought I'd post a picture now, as I won't see it once it's on the bike. After I get it installed, I'll also try to post some "before and after" examples of the exhaust sound with the stock muffler, because some folks have asked about that.

I've done some things already to reduce the rider heat on my 2013 RT (wrapping headers, strategic placement of reflective heat tape, etc.) Since I live in Pennsylvania, where it's not too terribly hot most of the year, that has made the bike fairly comfortable. Still feel some heat coming up around the seat on days when the temperature approaches the low or mid 90's though. I wanted the dealer to install the Cat Bypass at the time I did the other work, but at that time they refused to do it. Nor would they inspect the bike if I did it, they told me, because of Pennsylvania laws forbidding removal of OEM emissions equipment. I don't have the experience or the tools to install it myself, so I had kind of put the bypass idea out of my mind.

However, last week I approached my dealer again about it, and now their story has changed. (Might be they have more liability concern after the NHTSA fire investigation has gotten underway.) So I went ahead and ordered one. I'm hoping that between the work I've already done, and now pulling out the catalytic converter, I will have conquered the seat heat problem on my Spyder for good - even on hot summer days. (Of course I won't know that for sure now until next summer.)

I have not experienced any indication of gasoline boiling after I wrapped the headers and installed heat shielding between the engine and the fuel tank. But removing that hot cat from underneath the fuel tank should go even further to eliminate any possibility of that problem. For me this is both a comfort and a safety issue. But that said, I also won't mind the deeper exhaust sound and the little extra torque that Pit Bull said I should experience. (The guy at Pit Bull said the exhaust won't get much louder with the stock muffler - it will just "sound more like a motorcycle". :doorag

 

[lwrydr]

Cat

I put one on my RT a couple of weeks ago and can't really see much diff in sound. I also added JT's air filter and it makes a new sound when the rpm's are between 4 and 5 k...I have never had any heat issues so can't address that....but I did get a little more power...

 

[bmccaffrey]

If u have stock exhaust it won't be much louder. Aftermarket will:yes:

 

[robmorg]

If u have stock exhaust it won't be much louder. Aftermarket will:yes:

That's what the guy I spoke with at Pit Bull said. "Won't be much louder with the stock muffler - it will just sound more like a motorcycle". That makes sense. It will be interesting, though, to see how the sound will be different. I'm hoping for just a tad "deeper"

 

[CMA Cowboy]

We had the by-pass done on the wife's today. Nice sound when the RPM's are up.

 

[BikerDoc]

The cat bypass and Akrapovic exhaust with baffles removed makes a wonderful sound.. I have never enjoyed riding as much as I do now and I recently passed 100000 miles on my spyders. It is especially great when slowing and going through the downshift.. my buddy with two brothers says he can't hear his mufflers anymore when he rides behind me.

 

[robmorg]

The cat bypass and Akrapovic exhaust with baffles removed makes a wonderful sound.. I have never enjoyed riding as much as I do now and I recently passed 100000 miles on my spyders. It is especially great when slowing and going through the downshift.. my buddy with two brothers says he can't hear his mufflers anymore when he rides behind me.

I don't like loud mufflers, but I certainly don't mind that other riders do. One of the nice things about being "up in years" is that you no longer have to worry about loud music and loud mufflers wrecking your hearing some day. "Some day" has already arrived.

 

[Dragonfly]

Since you wrapped the header pipes wrap that Y pipe before installing. I did mine and sprayed it with the High Heat Coating.

 

[robmorg]

Yep, that's an excellent point. :thumbup:

My bypass will be wrapped before it goes on the bike.

 

[Bob Denman]

...Can't wait to hear the results; Good Luck! :thumbup:

 

[zamfield]

Since you wrapped the header pipes wrap that Y pipe before installing. I did mine and sprayed it with the High Heat Coating.

View attachment 95915

Nicely done! :thumbup:

 

[Dan McNally]

A CAT bypass is on my "want" list, but I've bumped it down in priority for a while . . . I'm hoping the NHTSA investigation will result in BRP removing the CAT, and putting on a new muffler with the CAT at the end of it, where it should have been, to begin with! Also, with cooler weather, here, it isn't as much of an issue, right now. I have a 1000+ mile trip coming up in early October, to Ohio, and the heat might actually be welcome, there!

 

[Bob Denman]

That's the way that the "990" engines were packaged... :thumbup:

 

[jcthorne]

A CAT bypass is on my "want" list, but I've bumped it down in priority for a while . . . I'm hoping the NHTSA investigation will result in BRP removing the CAT, and putting on a new muffler with the CAT at the end of it, where it should have been, to begin with! Also, with cooler weather, here, it isn't as much of an issue, right now. I have a 1000+ mile trip coming up in early October, to Ohio, and the heat might actually be welcome, there!

Not going to happen. Moving the cat further away from the engine will not meet the same emission requirements. Besides, that's an expensive way to improve the bike, plus it make the exhaust incompatible with the rest of the line and would require extensive EPA recertifications.

No, I think the end result of all this is likely that the earlier RTs will get some sort of revised side body panels like the ST got for 2014 along with some ECM recalibrations and MAYBE some insulation applied to the fuel tank. Perhaps a relocated evap canister. Anything that goes into the thousands of dollars per bike parts and labor is not going to happen.

 

[robmorg]

No, I think the end result of all this is likely that the earlier RTs will get some sort of revised side body panels like the ST got for 2014 along with some ECM recalibrations and MAYBE some insulation applied to the fuel tank. Perhaps a relocated evap canister. Anything that goes into the thousands of dollars per bike parts and labor is not going to happen.

:agree: completely! JC, I think your projections about the out come from BRP after the NHTSB report is issued is spot on. That's why I'm spending the money to take matters into my own hands with my 2013 RT. My "return on investment" is getting more satisfaction out of the bike NOW, plus more piece of mind. Whatever else BRP does, several months from now, will be gravy.

 

[oldguyinTX]

While I Agree

That an investigation by the NHTSA may or may not result in proactive action by BRP on the 2013 heat problems, I would wager that they are waiting for the Canadian equivalent (Transport Canada, I Think) to make a move first. If you remember about the last recall, it was only after TC got involved that NHTSA got involved as well, which resulted in a recall. There was no NTHSA investigation before that recall, as there is now about Spyders Burning. Please, if you have a problem in the U.S, file a complaint with NHTSA. If you are in Canada or any other country, file a complaint with your local agency. There is strength in numbers.

 

[spydee owner]

cats

Aren't catalytic converters used to limit the amount of greenhouse gases that go into the environment?
I know people are using the cat bypass to limit the localized heat when they ride, but, in the long term, the more greenhouse gases
that are put into the environment, make the environment hotter.
People complain about the temperature of the environment when they ride, but then remove the cat and potentially make things worse in the long term.

 

[jcthorne]

Aren't catalytic converters used to limit the amount of greenhouse gases that go into the environment?
I know people are using the cat bypass to limit the localized heat when they ride, but, in the long term, the more greenhouse gases
that are put into the environment, make the environment hotter.
People complain about the temperature of the environment when they ride, but then remove the cat and potentially make things worse in the long term.

First, understand that the cat does not reduce greenhouse gases. It swaps one gas for another. (Reduces CO and increases CO2). And while it may help with smog a bit, it increases CO2.

Second, greenhouse gases and the whole global warming discussing is FAR too political and not allowed for discussion here on Spyderlovers. Suffice it to say there are many that disagree with your sentiments but lets not discuss here.

Back to Spyder discussions.....

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Great explanation! :clap:
We now return you, to your regularly scheduled programming!

I once asked if anybody had tried running an RT with the lower black side panels removed. One person did answer; saying that it brought more air up through the openings under the seat...
Can anybody confirm that? :dontknow:

 

[jcthorne]

:agree: Great explanation! :clap:
We now return you, to your regularly scheduled programming!

I once asked if anybody had tried running an RT with the lower black side panels removed. One person did answer; saying that it brought more air up through the openings under the seat...
Can anybody confirm that? :dontknow:

Yep. Tried that. Having them in place seems to bring air flow down and out the bottom, especially with the underside panels gone. Removing the side skirts near the footboards did not work well for me and left the bike not looking great.