Dear ST owners. I come from Iceland and own a ST 2 2003 model, the only one up here in the north.... I realize this is a fairly stupid question as total horsepower is not what matters for riding a ST 2. You are surrounded by fantastic torque and mid-range from as low as 2.000 rpm. But is it rightly understood by me that there is little or nothing to gain by opening airbox / less restricted exhaust with the stock chip / computer brain under the seat? The chip / computer brain does not sense more airflow, and therefore does not recalculate the air / fuel mixture. I would need to buy a new Chip /computer brain in order to have any gains by opening the breathing ? If you know the answer please enlighten me with your wisdom !! With deep respect for 2 valve heads. Heimir Bardason
Anybody who wants more would buy an ST3 or ST4, surely, or get a modern bike. People who buy classics generally accept whatever power output they were built with, and don't start modifying them for more power - especially if they are tourers to start with. Is it not the soft, relaxed, sweet natured engine which is the chief attraction of the ST2?
High comp pistons would help; 157598 Product Detail Information - JE Pistons assuming that they would fit an ST2 and I see no reason why not...
I like my ST2 just as it is and do not need more power, if I did then I would have bought an ST3 or ST4. If I want to go out and have fun then I will get the 848 out, but I can't go touring on that like I can on the ST2.
Cans alone will be ok with std ecu, I know a couple of guys run them, not much gain but sound well. Lots of combinations across ST range, be careful to get correct link pipes. If you do filter too then chip or pc probably needed. Not sure whats avalilable now and depending on what ecu you have in your bike. Custom map would be worth getting done (if poss) but expensive.
You can open up the air box completely, it was a DP Performance mod back in the day, I have opened up the box and added Staintunes, my ST2 is far louder to ride than my 998 so ear plugs are a must & I think the induction noise is louder than the exhaust. I got a spare air box lid to experiment with, started by taking snorkels out, then expanded the two holes into an oval. Serious power can be made with 966 bore kit and headwork, but the $'s are better spent elsewhere. Freeing up the crossover in the exhaust is also said to help HP. As the others have said a new tune will be needed if you change anything drastically. Craig
Thank you for your answers. Pete 150; You´re absolutely right in your reply not to spoil a good thing. The standard ST2 is a great 2 valve motor and I have enjoyed the ST2 just the way it is. I just wanted to fiddle with a bit of basics mostly out of curiosity ( and perhaps more top-end power??) I have opened the mufflers for better flow and took out the snorkels in the airbox. The only thing I feel I have gained is more intake and exhaust noise and more heat from the exhaust, like the fuel / are mixture is too lean. So I was assuming that there actually is no gain whatsoever with these mods unless you buy a new chip for the computer ( Like richening main and needle jets in a carburetor) Craig; Are you after your mods still running the original chip? Did you not need to buy another one (richen it)?
My ST2 ran Staintune Pipes and didn't require anything special other than tune and adjust AFR. I think they run quite rich to begin with so the small mods help a little. On long runs to Phillip Island(3000kms round trip), my mate on his ST4S would always be slightly more economical. No one has ever commented that it smelt rich while travelling behind me. Ducati ST4 2003 Twin Oval Sports Mufflers – Staintune They also do round mufflers and these ones listed will also fit ST2 & 3's, also note Pricing is in Aussie Dollars. Email them with any inquiries, they also used to do adjustable chips. Craig
To be honest - all a lot of "performance" mods do is make the thing noisier. And, generally, less reliable... (IMHO)
an ecu remap with open exhaust and open airbox might realise you a few extra HP and smooth out the throttle response, but you would need to spend a lot of cash on engine work to get any kind of gains if you want to stay air-cooled you could might be able to put a ds1000/1100 engine in it
