I installed the Hot Seat Performance pipe on my wife's 2000 Trailblazer. The first thing is they should refuse to sell you one of these pipes withoput a clutch kit. A stock bike with two people on it could make it up hills this thing could not with only one person.

So, we got a clutch kit from HPD for the piped engine. The bike did feel better after installing the clutch kit. Then we took our bikes to the Cinder Hills in Flagstaff, Az. WHAT A DOG!!!!! Once again, hills the bike could climb when it was stock, it could no longer climb, it wasn't even close. The powerband with the pipe is way to narrow. Once it falls out of the powerband, it is all over!

I called Hot Seat and told them I wanted to return the pipe for a refund because I was totally dissatisfied. They say I need different clutching for when I take it to altitude. FYI, Flagstaff is at 7000ft, we live in Phoenix which is 1200ft. Just what I want to do is change the clutching everytime I go ride somewhere different. Besides, I was watching the clutch work with the cover off, and it seemed to be doing its job, as in downshifting on the hill.

Just wanted to warn everyone that Hot Seat doesn't want to stand behind their product.

 

I had RCR on my Trailblazer

I highly recommend it! I really think RCR is the best out there. He has the best customer service, and just the best products. All around great guy

If you want to buy the bike it's for sale at northstar polaris. Bent swingarm, bad sprocket and a hole with jb weld on it in the transmission case.

 

You should have asked on this board before buying a pipe for a 250.
They are a piston port motor instead of a reedport motor like the 400's.

The piston port motors are very intolerant to intake or exhaust changes and as such will have very narrow(Almost bordering on useless) powerbands.
Changing the exhaust only while not changing the intake(Jetting and airbox/filter mods) will cause the motor to run very rich. Almost as if it is flooding.
The 250 needs pipe,jetting,airbox,filter and both clutch springs to be changed to be effective.

This is what I have found through my own experiences.
Take it light.

 

I agree with you about the useless powerband (Hot Seat doesn't, that's what pisses me off).

By the way, I have played with the intake side extensively. I have used the airbox with a K&N, I have tried a clamp on K&N, and I have played with the jetting until I could not stand it anymore. The clutch kit I installed changed the weights and both springs (no Helix).

I have essentially concluded that this is a loosing battle trying to extract more power from the Trailblazer. It has served my wife well for the last year...she has become a pretty good rider. We are getting her a 2000 Scrambler 400 2x4. Should help her keep up with me (1999 Honda 400EX with 440 kit) in those open stretches.

 

Hey Slyder,
A word of caution about buying your wife a Scrambler 400. Do NOT put a RCR stage 1 kit on it UNLESS you want her to leave you behind on the straightaways. I put one on my SCR400 4x4 and it's freaking amazing! I can now beat stock banshees flat out.

Matt

 

Slyder,

I've had the RCR pipe on my Trailblazer for a while and want to give you a few observations.

First, B777 is right. If you don't increase the intake side you'll never get a piston port motor to run correctly. I've added the old 34 mm carb off my Sport and this really woke the TB up. Add a UFO to the carb and the fur really starts to fly. I've even added a 38 tooth sprocket to keep the front end down for my girlfriend and the Trailblazer still wheelies like my Sport did before it was modified. I'll have to see if porting and head mods will wake the engine up even more (like it did to my Sport). If it does, I'll have to be in the market for a 34 tooth sprocket just to tame it.

I hate to say this, but even my Trailblazer would never keep up with a 440EX. I don't care what you do with it. The Scrambler 2x4 might be a better choice for you.

 

There's an ad in the classified section for a RCR Stage 1 Kit

 

I think some of you guys are missing my point here. I am not looking for alternatives or how to further sink money into my wife's Trailblazer. I am dissapointed with the Hot Seat product, and their lack of desire to stand behind it and offer me a refund. I wanted to warn everyone here about there lack of customer service and/or wanting to provide total customer satisfaction.

 

I see what your point is with this post. And your point is taken.

But I want to add another thing that I was taught by Mike Chero. When adding a pipe, always add a clutch kit. And try to stay with the same manufacturer. I could go into deatail about all this, but it is easier just to show you a link. Anyone that is doing clutching or adding a pipe should read this. http://home.stny.rr.com/planetatv/pe...lutch_tips.htm

 

I agree with what you are saying about HSP I have the stage 1 kit .When i put it all on ther was no springs 4 the silencer.I called hot seat and got a punk kid who knew less than i did about their parts.when i finnaly got an adult he told me i was to use stock springs.well the stock springs didnt work.I called them back and they said the springs were sold seprate from the kit.they sent me abag full of springs not 1 fit. it seems like no one at hsp knows crap.every time i have had to deal with hsp you get no where.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]