FMF Mufflers, Which one
- Thread starter NSE.ONE
- Start date
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
I guess better depends on what you're after. I've had both on my current bike. The Q Stealth is huge, and very quiet. It does rob low end power though. It seems like the bike might make more power on top with this muffler, but I wonder if that's because it's so weak down low. The plain old turbine core II is quiet enough to pass sound test at an enduro, and is not in the least obnoxious, though I do REALLY like how quiet the Q Stealth is. If you're after the best low end performance, I'd go with something other than the Stealth. If you're going for quiet, the Stealth is awesome. I did have to lean out my pilot, needle clip, and airscrew with the stealth.
SideshowBob
New member
My 250 had a powercore on it (came with bike) when I got it. I swapped it out for a TC2 and could tell zero difference, maybe a tiny bit of bark gone mid range but it was very hard to tell if there was any change.
SideshowBob
New member
Well they definitely can.. but I just noticed very little change between the TC2 and PC. I think it's because the TC2 just isn't all that restricting.
SideshowBob
New member
nambo-trev
New member
i luv the q-stealth, yes its bigger but the power still feels good down low depending on which bike your on and having it so quite is awesome, i thought id hate it but now know one can here you coming!!! my buddies laugh because they never know if im behind them and dont know were i am if im in front, a slick system if you ask me
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
Here's the sad part. The stock, Gas Gas, non arrested silencer is super quiet. It' is small (in diameter, though very long), light, and barks like an Irish Wolf Hound. If compared to the Q Stealth in a shootout, it would be hands down the better silencer. This is for both performance, and sound. It stands head and shoulders above the FMF in engine response and performance. On the sound meter, my FMF blows 86 dba. That's quiet! My stocker blows 89 dba. Indeed, the 89 db is louder (twice as loud technically with the 3db gain logarithmic rule), but it's darned quiet, and easily passes. Given the choice, if I can run the 89 db silencer and get as much more performance from it as it gives, I like it better.
nambo-trev
New member
just curious then if the stocker is super quite and provides more power, why does the gasgas race team all run the q-stealth? not trying to argue but they are definetly about performance, weight and volume, why wouldnt they use an in house part if it out performs? the TM race team uses stock exhaust as theve tested others and found they make more power outta the stock system(this is from the horses mouth at barker bros.) i think gasgas use the aftermarket systems because they are better!
nambo-trev
New member
my q-stealth didnt have a spark arrestor right from the dealer, did everyone else have one installed on theres?
nambo-trev
New member
nevermind its there, i thought it was similar to my 4-stroke system and the fmf web site q-stealth with the arrestor at the tip.
Skidad
New member
Well if I remember the story correctly the Go Fasters boys brought the Q Stealth with them to the WEC Mexico event last year. With the ever tightning sound requirements for WEC the Q Stealth allowed Nambotins bike to pass with no problems and also they liked what it did for the power characteristics of (I'm sure) his potent 300. They used it for the rest of the year and obviously like how it works. Has nothing to do with having a S/A in it which is only a weird US thing for 2 strokes as far as I know.
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
I'd let you ride my bike with both if you'd like. Why would I make this stuff up? Why would I spend nearly $200 on a muffler? If it weren't for the stupid spark arrestor law, I would never have spent money on the Stealth. It IS super quiet, and I like that, and the top end power is unreal, but the bike did lose that nice bottom end snap. After leaning the bottom end of the jetting out, most of the power did return, but it still doesn't match the performance of the stocker. Another nice thing about the stocker is I can grab the hand hold on the fender, which isn't possible with the fat stealth.
I guess what really bothers me, is that I went to the length of getting the most sensible muffler available, so the bike could be quiet, and insure I would pass the sound test at the Idaho ISDE qualifier. The bummer about it was that there were lots of really loud bikes going through and passing sound test. A TC2 would have passed easily.
The silver lining is that indeed the Stealth is incredibly quiet. I can ride the bike for hours and have no sound fatigue. I can remember using ear plugs when I rode 125s. Even though they passed ISDE sound test easily, at full song, a 125 can be tough on your brain. In fact, I think I remember my KTM 125, with the famous "hockey stick" silencer, went through sound at 88db. That is measured at half of maximum rpm though, and we all know that 125's operate much closer to the top end of that range than most bikes have to!
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
I'm not sure it would do much for you to go to the power core 2 since they are of similar length. If you are looking for excellent low end response and snap, and have no need to pass sound, I'd find a shorty silencer. Not sure if anyone makes one aftermarket, but I'll bet one off of an MC 125 would fit. Just guessing.
I had a Doma shorty mx silencer and Doma Pipe on my '01 EC 300. Talk about snap. It wasn't overly loud either, but it has a completely different mounting, and bend than the new ones.
