How to Install Cobra Exhaust and a Vance & Hines Fuelpak 3
As the saying goes, a motor is nothing more than a big air pump. Air goes in, gets mixed with fuel, bing-bang-boom, goes back out. One of the best ways to increase power is to make this process as efficient as possible with an intake, fuel management, and flowing exhaust. Stock systems are choked up from the factory to pass emissions and noise regulations. By letting a motor breathe better along with the right amount of increase in fuel, a motor can run better, cooler, and produce more power. We added a Cobra USA 4-inch muffler with contrast-cut tips, PowrFlo Air Intake, and a Vance & Hines Fuelpak 3 to help let our 2017 Street Glide Special come alive. Installation on something like this can easily be done at home with basic tools, especially with the ease of installation on the Fuelpak 3.
Steps 1 and 2
Jon McDevitt
Step 1: Here’s a look at the stock intake and exhaust system. It’s sure shiny, but we wanted a more sinister blacked-out look.
Step 2: Start by removing the stock air cleaner cover.
Steps 3 and 4
Jon McDevitt
Step 3: Install the new K&N air filter in its place.
Steps 4: Adding the PowrFlo intake gives it an aggressive muscle-car look.
Steps 5 and 6
Jon McDevitt
Step 5: Here’s the beauty of the V&H Fuelpak 3: Uncap the Data Link Connector and plug in the Fuelpak. Voilà! You’re done!
Step 6: Unbolt the pipe-side floorboard mounts to get better access to the bottom of the motorcycle.
Steps 7 and 8
Jon McDevitt
Step 7: Remove the pipe-side floorboard and set it aside.
Step 8: Remove the stock exhaust covers and expose the bare pipes.
Steps 9 and 10
Jon McDevitt
Step 9: Disconnect the O2 sensors and remove the old exhaust. Later you will put the sensors in the new exhaust.
Step 10: After removing the exhaust, remove the exhaust flanges and install on the new exhaust for reuse.
Steps 11 and 12
Jon McDevitt
Step 11: Replace stock header support bracket with the new supplied one.
Step 12: Attach the new Cobra head pipes to the new bracket.
Steps 13 and 14
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Step 13: Install exhaust clamps onto the head pipe.
Step 14: Here’s a shot of the new head pipes with the first cover installed.
Steps 15 and 16
Jon McDevitt
Step 15: Attach the Cobra 4-inch muffler on the brake side to the stock brackets.
Step 16: Replace the exhaust bracket underneath the bike with the supplied one and attach the header pipe and clutch-side muffler.
Step 17: Following the instructions, install the black covers. For more detailed tips on how to avoid scratching them during installation, check out our video on hotbike.com.
Step 18: The Cobra Intake and Fuelpak 3 made a big difference combined with the new exhaust.
