Should I or shouldn't I -triple pipes

sickric

sickric

New member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Messages
178
Age
60
Location
central Wisconsin
I am looking for opinions from single piped and triple piped Viper guys, Is all the work (jetting, clutching, refabricating under hood, xtra cooler, etc. ) and cost worth it or is it better to stay stock ? Maybe do a clutch kit to get a little more out of it. My Viper is plenty fast now , but I am always looking for more,. don't really want to buy a new sled, but I live on a lake 13 miles long and everyone runs hard here. The thought of another 30 hp is very tempting, not to mention spanking all other brands of sleds. All comments welcome. :wel: :brr
 
Worth the cost??? not sure if it will be for you. But I never regretted piping my Viper untill I pulled up to the gas pump anyway, went from 15ish mpg to 10 mpg's max, with most being in the 7 to 8 range..

Overall I would say I was happy I did it, but I came off an SRX with full intension of adding power to my Viper to bring it back into the SRX range. As you had mentioned you will need to add some other items as well, I ended up running differant heads, clutching and a rear cooler of which is a must in my opinion.

;)!
 
would you say your viper ended up being faster than your SRX after all the Mods ? What brand pipes did you go with ? how was the noise and sound levels ?
 
sickric said:
would you say your viper ended up being faster than your SRX after all the Mods ? What brand pipes did you go with ? how was the noise and sound levels ?
Click to expand...

No, it was not faster. I ran both sleds back to back with differant riders back and forth and they where almost dead even give or take traction. I must say that I am no clutching guru so either sled in the hands on a more knowledable tuner you my see differant results.

I was using CPR pipes and although they had a bark to them, they where not obnoxios.

Hope this helps
 
I put Benders on mine. I was in a position that I didn't have much to loose for fuel consumption. My Viper was getting 10MPG as it was. I ended up with around 9MPG. I made some other changes at the same time. I extended out to 136, and added heel clickers. To do over again, I would go 136 first. I am not sure that I would do the pipes. The Benders are not all that loud compared to others. The jetting wasn't hard. I used a peak performance head and stepped down from the stock Viper (04) cooler to a MM cooler. I don't have any issues with DCS or over heating. I have ridden from -10*F to 40*F. The power loss as it gets warmer is very noticeable.

I really enjoy riding my sled as it sits. It is very powerful. I think that the 136X1.25 track was a much better modification for me though. I am not as comfortable with the reliability now. I would like to line it up with some of the performance sleds. I would also like to spend a day out with some of the experts from the site to see what improvements could be made to performance. I do think I would like it a lot more as a second sled instead of a long distance trail sled.
 
If you like to tune and play with the sled go with the pipes. If you just want to ride and have fun leave it stock. I piped my viper with bender pipes and love it. over 1000 miles this year and no problems. I like to tinker with things though, and i'm alway's looking fo more power so for me its no big deal.
 
Mine is piped, cluched, and jetted all by SLP's specs. Thing is a rocket! Only problem I have is traction! I had a lot better traction with the stock suspension than with the M-10. Fuel milage also dropped with the M-10. Overall happy, without a doubt YES!! I have been to Maine, NY, PA, sled came from North Dakota with this setup already on it and I have NEVER had a jetting, starting, or running issue. Biggest thing I love about mine is It is still trailable even at low speeds but when it's time to let 'er have it SHE ROMPS ! Oh, and mine also has a SLP head job as well. But still has the Yamaha reliability.
 
I have to agree with daman ^^^ my vote is leave it stock!!!! Add some clutching and enjoy the benefits!!!!!!
 
I put pipes on mine with zero miles...I've never even felt what it was like stock. 2500 miles so far, no problems related to pipes (stator failed this year). It sounds like your wanting more power, I think pipes are the most reliable way to go. I have SLP's, went with their clutching and jetting recommendations, the rpm's were spot-on the first time. Jetting was a little rich, but when I added high-flows it put the jetting right on. I then was overturning the rpms, added weight to the tip, haven't had to touch it since. I don't think it is all that hard to get it set up, SLP's charts got me really close. Mine already had the rear heat exchanger since it is a Mtn. I don't do long wide open lake runs, but do hold it open for extended periods when hill climbing, never a problem. I keep reading about pipes causing burn downs on here, but between my sled, my uncles, and a friends, I haven't seen it first hand yet. If you do go with triples, make sure you strip the foam on the hood and heat shield everything they recommend.
 
I have Bender pipes and really like them, we need them in the mountains of Colorado 10K feet and deep snow. If I were to do it again I would spend the extra money and purchase the coated pipes. 2 strokes like the heat controlled and I understand coating makes a big difference. Might just get mine coated this summer. We get older and smarter, do it right the first time.
 
Owned mine from new,never piped because of fuel consumption.
I used to ride with a guy who piped His and was always looking for a gas station.But He always beat me in race right out of the hole.
I think He got it fine tuned to do 11-12 mpg.It was also quite reliable.
I rebuilt mine this winter with some porting done,I think it made quite a difference.Haven't raced anything yet.I'll have to line up to my wife's stock Viper to find out this weekend.
Would like to pipe it,but soaring gas prices discourage me.
 
not sure why so many have issues with pipes well maybe they don,t know what to do, ive rode sxr with 10000km never burnt down u dont run border line jetting and well i,m not getting 10 miles to the gallon either run slp pipes they have a great fit and nice indy car rumble to them and they are a lighter pipe than most triple pipes and if u install dial ajet then u get excellent milleage and u never have to pull a jet, just turn a dial.
 
I like to ride, not tinker. if I wake up tomorrow, want to ride and it is -15*, I will go start it, let it warm up, and ride. I have no worries if I wake up and it is 35* the next day. same thing, start it, warm it, ride it. :) I like miles, not to be the fastest. would more power be nice? sure. but I could have just gotten a srx and long traveled it with the same reliability and more power than I have now. I would leave it stock. clutch it and maybe a few other small things (look in my signature for what I did) and enjoy the super reliability and worry free miles :)
 
From what i've seen on this cite there are more people burning down with stock pipes than with tripples. Maybe cause there's more stock sleds out there. I think pipes can be just as reliable as stock if set up properly. My opinion, mod it, do it right and you'll never look back.
 
Well, I've got both now so here are my thoughts. Bender tripled 02' and an 04' S with the Bender single 4X4/QST can. As far as reliability, my 02' has been piped since day one and has about 5,000 miles on it. Granted it was top ended at 3700 just for the heck of it, but it has been nothing but rock solid reliable. 0* to 40* it runs like a clock. Sure it runs harder at cooler temps, but otherwise it's the same no matter what. I really don't even think about it anymore. It was setup with rear cooler, opticool, proper safe jetting and it's actually still running the stock head. I always run 93, but that is about the only precaution I bother with. I bought the sled set up from the dealer who did the work and they assured me no problems as I was initially concerned given all the bad press on piped Vipers. No regrets. It hauls the mail and the midrange pull will plant a stupid grin on your face all day. Fuel thirsty, yes. 10 MPG or so running hard. A tick better on those Sunday drives with the wife! Yes, it sucks when I'm running with a buddy's Apex and he takes 3 dollars gas to my 20 (150 horse on 87 octane must be nice) but it is damn nice having the power to stay right with him AND keep the skis WAY flatter in the corners. (Can't beat an old dog at some tricks!)

The single pipe sled has a nice sound, but I have no idea if it runs any better than stock. It seems to have a tiny initial launch advantage over the triple, but much of that could be due to the S having a Ripsaw. Once your rolling the 02' has a noticable power advantage that is readily felt and realized. The 04' IS a heck of a lot better on fuel, but certainly doesn't have the grin factor when you crush the flapper.

You have to weigh what's most important to you. Sheer power for hittin' the lake, or a good balance between fuel economy and respectable power. Set it up right and maintain it and I don't think reliablility is an issue. Cost for the mods and how much fuel you feel like burning would be a bigger factor IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top