I have a 2003 Honda 450r, and I use it for fmx only.  I tried to order a Powercore 4 today but the told me over the phone they wouldnt have them in stock until the end of May, (I cant wait that long) so they talked me into buying the Q4 for my bike because it was the only other option for my bike, being that its an older model.

Now Im worried because I did some research and found that the only difference between the pipe is that its supposed to be quiet.  I dont want a quiet pipe! When I ride fmx shows (fairs, indoor events etc) the loud exhaust revs mid trick is what really put a cherry on top of your performance, plus I just do not want a "Trail Bike Pipe"

On the phone they advised me to just remove the spark arrestor and it will be very similar to the Powercore 4,  is this true? And are there any other differences in the pipe I should know about?  I really wish they wouldve had the Powercore 4....

Are you stuck on FMF? There are some very nice pipes out there made by procircuit, White Bros, Yosh, etc.

Well 3 reasons:

1. I already have a FMF head pipe so Id like to stick with FMF for that reason

2. Pro Circuit, Yosh etc are wayy too expensive. 500 for a slip on is just ridiculous

3. I have a contract with FMF for 2011 and I get a large percent off of there retail price so they will be cheaper no matter what

From the little I know about the two I believe that the major sound deadening is found in the spark arrestor. It would be very close if you take it out.

Probably a little more packing and the Q I believe comes with a sparky and quiet insert. If you take it out I'm sure you would only notice a few Db

How do I take out the spark and quieter thing or whatever?  isnt it just an alan wrench on the back for the spark arrestor? but how do I take out the quiet insert?

Same way its basically 1 piece

ZachyDfmx said:

Yes just an Allen screw and pull out the insert and yes you will notice a big difference in sound. If for some reason it's too loud with it removed you can cut the insert tube down a little at a time and put it back in to get to the sound level you want. It's a great muffler, you'll like it

Okay sweeeet,    thanks!

ZachyDfmx said:

The Q4 has a built-in non-removable spark arrestor while the Powercore 4 has a removable screen type.

The 2 are just not the same & you cannot make them the same either.  You can put a quiet insert into a PC to make it quieter.  The Q4 is just a different pipe.

Hey Chas_M, hate to call you out on it but I think you might be wrong brutha,  found in the details it specifically says it can be removed:

http://www.fmfracing...Products/MX/380


but thanks for the contribution man!

ZachyDfmx said:

Removing the 'sparky' will do very little to increase the noise, if that is what you were hoping for.

Dgcars is right, removing the spark arrestor will do nothing at all for sound or performance.  The Q4 is much quieter, bigger overall and will feel like it makes less power.  But that feeling will be all in your head because the bike is quiet.  Loud pipes give you a false feeling of more power.
Why didn't you just order from somewhere else?  There are hundreds of places to get a fmf pipe from.....

I would order the powercore and just be patient. i have a powercore and love it because I basically can run it at three differant levels. With no spark arrestor, with a spark arrestor, or with the quit insert, which basically makes it a Q pipe.

ZachyDfmx said:

I see that in the description; that's a new one on me.  When I looked at a Q4 exhaust at Cycle Gear, it appeared to me that the SA was not removable.

educkett29 said:

+1

02WR426Cali said:

First pic is the Q4, second is the PC Ti.  Different ??

FMF Powercore the #1 choice for all the good reasons!!!

If they would fit i have a powercore on my bike and its too loud for me, i'll trade ya.

I have a Q4 on my bike and yes you can remove the SA. I have done it several times. The SA is also the insert tube and SA is a cone wire mesh inside of it. With it removed it is louder!!! I trimmed about an inch off of the insert and it was louder.  YES THE Q4 HAS A REMOVABLE SA/INSERT!!!