So i got this thing in a box literally been puttin it together anyone got some info on exhaust i have FMF gold series now but around the head area where the pipe joins the collector seems to leak really bad some sorta donut go in there ????? an where the silencer joins the head pipe seems to be about 1" to 2" to short ???? i found it weird but maybe i'm missin something I've also read alot about the 87's having head troubles what should i do to better or rid of this problem I've got myself a fresh motor from the bottom to the top put a chrome sleeve in back to stock I just have the stock head with the 6 bolt patern thx

Jay

 

Allright Chilli, First, go done to the Suzuki dealership and order yourself the shop manual. Best $35 I ever spent.
Next, toss that piece of c__p FMF pipe. Paul Turner, CT, and Trinity make decent pipes for the Zilla. Figure out what kind of riding you'll do mostly, then shop for a pipe.
Lastly, Check out anything by Duneaddict on this web site or go to Macdizzy.com and check out Dr.Q. Collectively, these two are worth their weight in gold as a premium source of zilla info. Macdizzy charges a membership fee to log on but the info you'll get is invaluable.( highly technical stuff )

 

Jeez, thanks for your vote of confidence...

I too highly recommend Dr. Q on the macdizzy site... I have learned vast amounts regarding these old antiques from him and the school of hard knocks.

I'll help ya all I can. FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!! Get your hands on a shop manual! Don't touch another bolt until you do this.... this will be your bible.

your exhaust leak is common... use some high temp gasket sealant to try and get that flange to seal around the pipe. No donut, just lots of goop... let it cure fully before you run it.

Also sounds like your pipe/silencer doesn't fit this bike? shouldn't be too short.

The '87s have issues with 6 studs vs 7 on the newer models. If you have the cylinder off, install larger diameter studs (Either 10mm/8mm shoulder studs, or a 3/8" stud... this will require head mod)
The problem is the smaller studs won't hold torque, especially if your raising compression... thus causing gasket failure. If it's stock... probably won't have any issues... I'd run it and see what happens... if you start blowing head gaskets, you'll need to fix it.

Who did your motor work? Was there anything done to the case?

Again, I recommend reading the Rx on the mcdizzy site... Doc goes into great details about the design shortfalls of this motor.

Regards,

 

I've got an FMF Gold Series that I believe is an old (original) version of the FMF Zilla pipe. It performs well for me. It exits straight out of the cylinder and goes to the right immediately then expanding up and under the steering stem before reducing to the stinger. It is almost exactly the same as a Paul Turner pipe in most aspects. If your pipe is like that, I would try to get the exhaust to fit and see if you like it before dropping $400 for a new exhaust. If your FMF exits the cylinder, goes left, then way right before expanding to the expansion chamber, then you have a newer FMF which has an OK bottom and mid-range but weak top end. This header pipe is almost exactly like the OEM pipe and that's why most feel it is a waste of money and a poor performer. I would sell that one on Ebay and get a Paul Turner.

Good Luck with it!

 

Yup I have the pipe described its goes out an turns right an then left towards the silencer pipe i figured out the shortness problem on the stock pipe there is colar some a$$ welded it on the pipe thou so I was left to fab one out no problem thou I am using the small stock head bolts for now I'll take ur advise an get me some of the bigger ones i was lookin down at the threads an someone put a heely coil in a couple of hte holes its working but I don't much like that idea think i'll go order some parts on the weekend air filter spark plug an them bolts for the head i had it runnin tonite thou seems to run great really loud thou with that pipe in it man my neighbours were all lookin out the window at me I just smiled lol thx anyways ppl u were some help in my hour of confusion see ya's again an thx again

Jay

 

Welcome to the club.

 

Hey thx its good to be able to join a place an talk about things we all have in common its a big help i'll say so here goes with another question this zilla i have has a 30 pilot and a 490 main jet seems rich to me its starts an runs but i pull the plug to read it an its soaked i mean wet so i can't really get a good readin mind u i haven't rode it yet i was triin to get as close to setup as possible before goin out on a venture my motor is stock except for boysen reeds k&n air filter an FMF pipe but i was considerin the stock pipe goin back on its really really loud i bet i could be heard a mile away i'm sure of it my motor is brand new i got a new sleeze back to stock wisco piston had the head an cylinder shaved minimal just more so for squareness then anything an the bottom is all been replaced good n tite lol any help on a close jet size would be great for me to start me fine tunin thx

Jay

 

I've got a 380 main in my stock '87 carb. In my manual they range in size from 380 to 420 I believe. Is yours a stock carb?

 

go to fmf.com, then go to jetting specs. they recomend stock jetting for their pipe. i have an 87 with fmf pipe,boysen pro series reed and a uni filterwith airbox lid removed.....runs great. with 22 inch rear tires ,stock gearing i'll pull 11 quad lengths on piped,reeded banshees woo hoo. hope i helped...im also at sea level in NJ

 

Zillas are loud, period. The only way I've thought of to modify the silencer is by mating a FMF Turbine Core II Q Silencer for a CR500 to the exhaust pipe. Haven't tried it yet but I heard someone did it before. The header will make little difference in sound output. Also a diffuser pointed down to the groud at the silencer exhaust helps as well.