Opinions on performance exhaust

junx69

Hey guys, I'm thinking of getting a performance exhaust/intake kit for my 1998 G16. Currently i have a stock motor with great compression and the only mods I've done is I have a Plowman's secondary sheave and their black spring and belt. I'm looking at 3 different kits and I've been reading through the forums for opinions and am still at a loss.

I'm considering 3 different kits. First is Plowman's performance exhaust and his intake mods. Pros of this are obviously I'll match what I've done so far and his claims are that this kit will take the motor up to 15hp.

I'm also considering the CPP kit. it seems very straight forward and well made. It has the airbox mod included and a new jet. It doesn't involve any carb boring like the plowman's kit does but do you think this is even needed or does the carb with a better flowing filter breath in plenty enough?

Finally I'm looking at the Zemco header. I like the looks of the header and I like that the kit includes a cone filter to get rid of the airbox along with a new jet and a velocity stack. This intake setup seems in between Plowman's and CPPs but again just how much air is needed?

What I ultimately want is power with not much noise. I think out of all 3 the Zemco is probably the loudest but I can't find video or sound to form an opinion. I know Jake's had a sound clip once before but it's not available now. I would think the Plowman's and CPP would be quieter since they have mufflers but does that mean less flow and power than the Zemco? Also I guess a concern is are any of these even needed? I've heard several people say not to waste any money on these upgrades but that was mainly towards EZGO carts and all of these kits claim some very decent gains. Any opinions or experience you all can share would be greatly appreciated. By the way, my cart is lifted with 22" tires on 10" rims.

BGW

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smallblock450sl

We put a Jakes Zemco muffler and air filter kit on a build. Was advertised for lifted car's, we put on a stock one and worked with "flipping" and drilling new mounting holes on the lower bracket. The kit did come with an aluminum plate, but no intake that let you mount it vertically (had to fab one, because the air filter rubbed up against the gas tank) and did not come with a larger main jet, was told only ezgo's needed it and in that kit they sent the correct sized drill bit. It didn't run right till the larger jet was installed. As for sound, yes it is louder, owner took it on the golf course and no one complained. I like it, with CPP speed spring, Jakes intake and exhaust...It's a "Hoot" to drive. Good luck on your choice. PS..In no way am I saying anything bad about Jakes product, they are an outstanding company/great staff (thanks for all your help in the past Beth) and stand behind there products and will help with tech if you ask. Dave

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dogpile

I have the Jakes system just like SmallB.. Just like him I had to rejet my carb before it ran. It would bog down when throttle was applied.

I didnt refab the bracket though.... If you turn the factory exhaust bracket upside-down it actually fits..?? not sure why they did that but whatever.

My Air Filter touches the Gas Tank as well but wasnt that bad. Pictures attached.

The sound is nice, not too loud, maybe like a factory exhaust on a larger CC ATV.

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sho305

I hope more people will post on this, it is interesting. I looked at it a couple years ago (for my G9) and for the minimal gains it didn't seem to be worth it, clutch mods gave better results. Factor in what a 16 clone costs or if you find a deal on an 18 vanguard and unless you had a reason to keep the stock engine it didn't make sense. What would be nice is a v twin yamaha with the stock parts but I'm sure they don't want to build one. If I go with a larger engine I will have to work on an exhaust I don't want it loud. Some of the larger HP lawn equipment mufflers are pretty quiet but costly. I plan to investigate small car mufflers as well and also coupling the exhaust near the frame pivot so you could frame mount a muffler in the rear.

What are those guys thinking, you do nearly anything to the exhaust or airbox and you have to rejet. My G9 might be different but if I run it 3/4 to full throttle it makes little difference, so it looks like the carb flows plenty, but did not investigate further. What really kills it is the cam, if you get another cam ground they really wake up but is rather pricey to do. Some high ratio rockers could be interesting but may not do enough to notice.

sabercat

the plowmans kit will probably give the most power as they do the carb boring and they offer 2 jets in thier jet kit, a pilot and main, so it runs right through the whole rpm range, and their exaust shouldn't be as load as the zemco header. my $0.02

junx69

Thanks for the info guys. I ended up ordering Tom's kit from CPP. I talked to the guys at Plowman's and to Tom quite a bit and I came to the conclusion that Tom's kit will probably offer me the best mix of power and noise. I really had to take all that in to consideration since I mainly run in a campground and noise is obviously a big issue but I tossed all options back and forth quite a bit. After talking with Tom, though, he brought up some very good points. The biggest point was that we are talking a stock motor here. Can that 301cc one lunger really breath in more than what a stock carb can flow with a less restrictive filter? I doubt it which is really why i didn't see the point of the carb rebore that Plowman's offers. 2nd point was just the opposite, how much can these breath out. any free flowing exhaust is going to flow better than the stocker so really all three should be about the same, its all that matter of noise. Plowman's told me flat out that their performance exhaust for the g16 is flat out loud and the campers in my site would be pretty ticked at me after a few passes with their kit. Tom's was the only one with example videos of before and after and I really didn't think it was too bad. The final point was the price. All the other kits are over 400 bucks but Tom's was 229 for muffler, matched jet, mounting hardware, and instructions for modding the airbox. Basically the same as Plowman's without the rebore. I figure for that price its worth a try and we all know Tom's reputation is golden. If I was going to spend big money, it'd be on a new motor which is where true power comes from so in the mean time 230 isn't bad to get a stock motor to its potential.

I'll post pics once I get it installed for those interested.

dogpile

If you dont have to re-jet the carb then your not going to see much if any power differences.... You will only gain the sound that hopefully you want.

Once I installed the Zemco with air intake I had to put more fuel through it which meant that the air flow was much greater than before. The only way I could get it to run was by restricting the airflow via the choke. I could tell a power difference once all was said and done but probably not worth the coins spent. BUT factor in the sound of the Zemco Im 100% happy with it. It is not very load, more of a deeper rumble.

Good Luck!!

Dave in VA

Tom's was the only one with example videos of before and after and I really didn't think it was too bad.


I must be missing something--I can't find any video at CPP. I'd be interested if it isn't TOO loud.

cart de golf

I have plowmans setup & I love it

Without the carb boring because of shipping cost since I am in Canada

I have a drilled jet with if k&N filter , is muffler , rear clutch & belt setup

I get 35mph with a stock G22 engine I wouldn’t go any louder I have ran cone filters & they sound like crap

Mind you I run this cart in a campground I don’t want to disturb people more then i have to we have a lot atv driving around .

Mike Mac

Cart, how did the wheel situation settle up?