Does exhaust material change sound of exhaust?

I need to purchase a slip on for my 5th Gen and have narrowed it down to a Delkevic system as I cannot find anything else that is reasonably priced. I want a high mount but can decide on a Tri Oval, Carbon or Round system. I want a deep sound. There is a used round Micron on Ebay at the moment but not sure if I would like the sound ( at least from what I have seen on Youtube).
Thanks

 

A Micron definitely has a deep growl to it, unfortunately it's also very loud. I tried one but it was just too loud for my tastes, sounded great but too loud. I also tried a 2 Brothers carbon and thought the sounds was a bit more "tinny". Didn't really like it. I'm now running a Yoshimura SS2-R and it has a great sound, but not too loud.

 

It seems that the only options now for a 5th gen new are Delkevic's that don't cost an arm and leg.

 

Most people seem to be pretty happy with their delkevic slip ons. I haven't heard too many grumblings about them, and they also come with an insert if they're too loud, i believe. I guess the best you'll be able to do is try to find vidoes of the different materials on the same bike and go from there. Not very scientific, but short of buying all the options and trying them out, and hoping to be able to return the others, its all you can do.

 

The question is in the cost of what an arm and a leg go for these days. yes the so called packing, SS steel wool, fiberglass etc. what ever is used makes for whether or not it has sound absorbing factors, it makes a difference. Now as afar as what is available for a 5th gen shm here, that's a good one, ebay ,craigslist now, in the day there was a few options, today most DIY versions are whats happening, unless like you sa,y give an arm and a leg.

 

I have an 18" stainless oval Delkevic on my 2000 VFR and it sounds really good. Has a nice throaty grumble with a much more basey tone than the stock can and it is not overly loud. Oddly enough I find the can sounds better with the decibel plug installed as without it can sound a bit too raspy. There is a guy not to far from my shop that has a 99 VFR (I mention the years because the 2000 has cats whereas the 99 does not) and he has the 14" Delkevic carbon can. His bike has a much basier tone than mine, at idle and lower revs, and sounds very nice when he just blips the throttle. When he takes off on full throttle the bike has a fantastic deep toned growl that is definitely louder than my bike, but by no means obnoxiously loud, and he runs his without the decibel plug installed. IMHO the 18" stainless can looks better than the carbon can if for any other reason than the 14" can looks a bit too short for my tastes.

A friend of mine has a 98 VFR with a Two Bros can (aluminum I believe) and it sounds really nice at idle and low revs but it is really loud under hard acceleration and as FJ mentions, sounds almost a little tinny.

As far as different materials making different sounds I can offer this observation. I had a 96 VFR750 not long ago and it had the 18" Delkevic and it sounded amazing, even more so than the exact same can on my bike, and a 97 VFR with an aluminum M4 slip-on and the aluminum can had a much deeper tone and a much nicer growl. In this particular case both bikes were identical save for the manufacturer of the can and the type of material used in the construction of the can.

Personally, I love the Delkevic can on mine and don't think you could go wring with either choice. The quality of the cans is amazing for the price and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

 

Yeah I guess I have Cats as mine is 2000. I figured the carbon would have a deeper sound as I imagined the carbon perhaps having more give like a drum. I can be wrong. 14" Delkevic Carbon sounds right. I was looking at used systems as this is a extreme low budget bike. I mean LOW BUDGET like my wife will walk into the garage one day and see a bike and all I will be able to say is "It followed me home a few weeks ago would you say no to a face like that!".

 

Funny story. When I bought my 2000 VFR, it was with the intention of flipping since I picked it up 6 years ago now for $2000 Canadian (thats like almost free in US dollars LOL), but after putting the Delkevic on and hearing it run I was hooked. I had a 97 VFR prior and had sold it prior to my son being born knowing that I wasn't going to have much time to ride and almost immediately suffered from sellers remorse. LOL

Bought the 2000 without telling my wife first as the deal was too good to pass up and when I got home I told her what I had done. Her response: "Oh THANK GAWD!! You've been moping around ever since you sold the last bike, and I told you not to sell it, didn't I." Totally not the answer I was expecting at that point. Now, my wife and I both ride so bringing home a bike was not a big shock to her but spending $2K without discussing it first I thought might get me in a bit of flack. Yep, She is a Keeper.

The Delkevic is definitely a GOOD bargain but by no means "cheap". If you're looking to be as economical as possible, I think the 18" Stainless is the cheapest, but the Carbon Can as I recall is not a whole lot more and sounds that much sweeter, and I'm sure its also lighter. Once she hears the bike and takes in the low basey growl, she too will be hooked.

Good luck with the project.

 

zoom zoom you say 18" carbon then for best DEEP sound?

 

I think length on the carbon is 14" can and the polished stainless is an 18" can. Though after looking up the cans on eBay I may be mistaken. When I first looked at the Delkevic the carbon was not available for my bike but that was about 5 years ago now, so I bought the stainless.

I found these two listings on eBay Delkevic site for the 2000 VFr800

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Delkevic-18-...ash=item27cc3b25b4:g:5g8AAOSw9r1V8jAE&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Delkevic-18-...ash=item2c6d708d69:g:rWgAAOSwHmhV8jqK&vxp=mtr

 

I sure wish I was more sciency. These studies can get real confusing. All those numbers, hearing aid batteries dying, earplugs, 100 minute sets by The Greatful Dead, orders from headquarters from she who must be obeyed on what to get at WalMart and repacking cans with stainless steel pot scratchers make it tough on guys who just want to show off their cans at bike night.

 

How is the quality of the Delkevic headers? They look great, but for how long? I know that I'd need a PC5, but I'm ok with that. Just about the only thing I don't like about my 2001 is that ugly exhaust system.