Reviews

High-Performance UTV Exhausts Buyer’s Guide

From Alba, Barkers, Big Gun, Dasa, Dragonfire, HMF, Muzzy's, Spark's, Two Bros, Yoshimura & More!

January 5, 2015

Stock exhaust systems have a history of leaving untapped power within almost any powersports vehicle. In years past, these underperforming exhausts could be blamed on production costs, but now they’re more likely to be associated with emissions and sound regulations set by the EPA. Luckily, there are many aftermarket exhaust companies not limited to such restrictions, and their exhausts can add horsepower, drop weight, and give your machine a completely new sound. Here’s a list of every high-performance exhaust system, both slip-on and full, available for the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000, Can-Am Maverick 1000, and the Polaris RZR XP 1000.

High Performance UTV Exhaust Buyer's Guide	CONTACTS
ALBA:	teamalbaracing.com; (619) 562-0188
BARKER'S:	barkersexhaust.com; (989) 269-6921
BIG GUN:	biggunexhaust.com; (714) 970-0423
DASA:	dasaracing.com; (951) 681-1131
DRAGONFIRE:	dragonfireracing.com; (800) 708-9803
GIBSON:	gibsonperformance.com; (951) 372-1220
HMF:	hmfracing.com; (216) 631-6980
MUZZY'S:	muzzys.com; (541) 385-0706
ROTAX:	rotax.net; (949) 645-0393
SPARKS:	sparksracing.com; (661) 872-4343
SPEEDWERX:	speedwerxstore.com; (651) 982-6020
TWO BROS:	twobros.com; (800) 211-2767
YOSHIMURA:	yoshimura-rd.com; (909) 628-4722

Alba Racing Slip-On

Alba claims the OEM Polaris header and collector are near perfect in design and that no real gains could be found with different designs. It found that a free-flowing automotive-type muffler could produce a 2-hp gain, and its slip-on's maintenance-free design worked well with the heat created by bigger-bore UTVs with CVT clutches. This stainless-steel construction, automotive-type muffler is internally spark arrested, the slip-on mounts in minutes, and it includes an O2 bung. Price: XP 1000, $499

Barkers Exhaust Full Slip-On

Barkers uses 304 stainless with aluminum mufflers and billet end caps. Expect significant bottom to midrange improvements on the RZR. The Maverick system provides a massive 11.5-hp increase with its three-quarter-header system. The Maverick system provides a 25-pound weight savings along with this massive power increase by eliminating the OEM catalytic converter. Price: XP 1000, $1,036; Maverick, $1,055

Big Gun Exhaust EVO U Slip-On

The Big Gun EVO Utility series was designed to deliver raw horsepower and torque with a 0.049-inch stainless-steel header and dual aluminum canisters. Much lighter than stock and a deep, rich sound. Price: Wildcat 1000i HO/4/X, $340; Maverick, $640; XP 1000, $400

Big Gun Exhaust EVO U Dual Full System

The EVO full system features the same stainless/aluminum construction as the EVO slip-on—only including a complete stainless head pipe. A free-flowing three-quarter header replaces the OEM catalytic converter on the Maverick for massive performance gains and weight savings. Price: Wildcat 1000i HO/4/X, $790; Maverick, $800; XP 1000, $790

Big Gun Exhaust EXO Series Slip-On

The EXO series exhaust features a large-diameter hexagon-shaped muffler with a coned inlet for significantly more volume, maximum power, and reduced sound and heat. An innovative core design with sound wave-altering technology. The EXO is Big Gun's largest, most durable, and powerful exhaust system yet. Price: Wildcat 1000i HO/4/X, $400; Maverick, $700

Big Gun Exhausts EXO Series Dual Full System

The EXO full system features all the EVO muffler technology and performance combined with a lightweight, stainless-steel performance header. Price: Wildcat 1000i HO/4/X, $850; Maverick, $875, XP 1000, $900

Dasa Racing Slip-On

A maintenance-free, internal-baffle slip-on that installs in minutes. An impressive 9-percent horsepower increase, and it allows the user to utilize OEM spark arrestor. Price: XP 1000, $500

DragonFire Racing Dual Slip-On

The DragonFire Maverick slip-on by Vance & Hines retains the factory catalytic converter, avoiding costly EFI changes. Saves weight, looks great, and provides an increase in overall performance. Price: Maverick 1000, $690

Dragonfire Racing Dual Full System

DragonFire developed this incredibly quiet full-system dual exhaust in conjunction with Vance & Hines. It features a 2-1-2 header and is lighter than stock. It also improves performance across the curve and is 4 decibels quieter than stock at idle. Price: Wildcat 1000, $1,180

Gibson Performance Twin Rear Exit Slip-On

The stylish dual-exit Gibson exhaust features a maintenance-free mechanical baffle, claiming 2 to 4 rear-wheel horsepower and 3 to 5 foot-pounds of torque. The Gibson dual-exit exhaust is offered in black ceramic or stainless finish and features a one-year warranty. Includes a USFS spark arrestor. Price: XP 1000, $720

HMF Engineering Performance Series

Track tested with more than a decade of championships. The specially designed, unrestricted core provides maximum flow for an even increase in horsepower and torque through the entire power curve. Expect a deep, aggressive sound and 2 to 10 decibels increase over stock. The Maverick Dual Performance Full System is a three-quarter system that gets rid of OE catalytic converters. Price: Wildcat Dual Full System, $875; Wildcat Dual Slip-On, $570; Maverick Slip-On, $660; Maverick three-quarter, $890; XP 1000, $875

HMF Engineering Swamp Series

The 304 stainless-steel, 5-inch-diameter Swamp series features a large mechanical core that keeps sound levels at approximately 1 to 2 decibels over stock. Price: Wildcat Dual Slip-On, $680; Wildcat Dual Full System, $770

HMF Engineering Swamp XL Series

The same massive 304 stainless canister with an open core means more massive sound output. If you want to be loud, this is the exhaust for you. Price: Wildcat Swamp XL Dual Slip-On, $650; Wildcat Swamp XL Dual Full System, $740

Muzzys Performance Products Slip-On

Dual oval mufflers with machined-aluminum mounting brackets. Available in polished, brushed, or black-coated finishes. An aggressive small-block sound with a modular end cap system that includes removable quiet cores and Forest Service-approved spark arrestor screens. Price: Wildcat, $547; Maverick, $613

Muzzy's Performance Products Full System

Muzzy uses TIG-welded, large-diameter, tuned, equal-length 304 stainless-steel head pipes. The integrated Siamese collector offers a greater power increase over conventional dual exhausts. Head pipes feature spigot-mount head pipes for durability and dual oxygen sensor bungs. The XP 1000 and Maverick feature a 2-1-2 large-diameter, stepped head pipes for maximum power, and a "muzzler" midsection to reduce sound output without robbing horsepower. Price: Wildcat, $900; Maverick, $1,120; XP 1000, $996

Ron Woods Racing Full System Dual Exhaust

Ron Woods Racing uses 304 stainless steel for oversize head pipes and reverse cone megaphone head pipes to extract the most possible horsepower out of your big-bore performance UTVs. Made in the USA. Price: Wildcat, $895; Maverick, $895; XP 1000, $975

Sparks Racing X-6 Stainless Steel Slip-On

Sparks claims its X-6 slip-on is the perfect solution for any XP 1000 driver or racer who wants to reduce weight and improve exhaust tone and performance without breaking the bank. Price: XP 1000, $700

Sparks Racing X-6 Stainless-Steel Exhaust System

A full-on performance exhaust system that provides power gains through the entire power curve. Developed with countless hours on the dyno and track/dune tested with pro-level drivers for the ideal power curve. Price: XP 1000, $996

Speedwerx L2 Series Slip-On

The Speedwerx exhaust is designed to increase power, acceleration, and throttle response while giving your machine a throaty but reasonably quiet exhaust note. The silencers are aluminum shell with steel cores and packing. It's 100-percent rebuildable, and the steel caps can be switched out for a snorkel if necessary. Drops 12 pounds from the Wildcat and comes in under 96 decibels. Price: Wildcat, $390

Two Bros Racing Dual Stainless Steel Slip-On

The Two Brothers Racing dual slip-on for the Maverick drops more than 7 pounds and increases peak horsepower by almost 9 hp. TBR uses sleek stainless-steel canisters with removable US Forestry-approved spark arrestors that don't affect horsepower. The system utilizes the stock catalyst and O2 sensor. Price: Maverick, $680

Two Bros Racing Dual S1R Stainless Steel Slip-On

Two Brothers Racing designed the S1R Slip-On to leave you feeling every part of the XP 1000 powerband. Increases peak horsepower by nearly 3 hp and increases top speed by almost 10 mph. TBR's USFS spark arrestor won't affect horsepower. Price: XP 1000, $700

Yoshimura R&D RS-4 Slip-On

The RS-4 Slip-On features the same technology as the Full System but features an easier-to-install application. This Slip-On muffler features 20-gauge 304 stainless steel CNC rolled and robot-welded canister shells, with a stainless-steel turndown end cap. The RS-4's premium muffler packing and a two-stage stepped perforated baffle to meet the USFS noise specifications while maintaining performance. The RS-4 comes complete with a USFS-approved spark arrester already installed. Price: XP 1000, $579

Yoshimura-RD RS-4 System

The RS-4's header is CNC mandrel bent from 18-gauge 304 stainless-steel tubing for maximum durability. It features an oversize step tube design for maximum power through the entire rpm range. Comes with a USFS-approved spark arrestor installed, a carbon-fiber end cap, and CNC mounting brackets. Price: Wildcat, $799

Yoshimura-RD RS-2 System

A versatile and potent pipe designed to boost both low range and high-rpm performance. A larger-diameter muffler keeps noise to a minimum. The CNC mandrel-bent mid-pipes feature an oversize step tube design, increasing power across the board. Comes with USFS spark arrestors installed. Price: Maverick, $699