Published on March 23rd, 2021 | by Joe

Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades, Barkers Exhaust, Fuel Customs Intake and Dynojet PC5 Test Review

Testing Barker’s Performance Dual Exhaust, Fuel Customs Intake, and Dynojet Power Commander V

With a number of Yamaha Raptor 700R tests under our belts, an in-depth review with over 1 million views, a Raptor 700R vs YFZ450R Shootout with over 2 million views, and multiple riders on staff choosing them as their personal ATVs, we’re very familiar and in love with the Yamaha Raptor 700R.

Since its inception, the Raptor 700 has enjoyed a nearly perfect balance of smooth tractable yet peppy power, nimble handling, plush forgiving suspension, and powerful braking. It’s also one of, if not the most, comfortable sport ATV ever produced.

A few years back we put together our 50” wide Yamaha Raptor 700RR Prototype project in order to test what we’d like to see from Yamaha’s next round of updates to the venerable 700. We widened the chassis with standard travel +2” wider Houser A-Arms and an RPM Dominator II Axle, regarded as the strongest axle on the market by most racers. Race Tech tuned our stock KYB shocks for the increased leverage of the wider A-Arms and our intention to ride more aggressively with their Shock Conversion Kit. It features new springs, valving, and their high-flow Gold Valve pistons.  A firmer seat form and gripper custom seat cover from QuadTech make it easier to move around or stay in place as desired. FTR Powersports, Flashback graphics kit and frame protection kit gave our Raptor 700RR a custom, yet distinctively Yamaha, look while protecting the ATV’s finish along with lower rear fender protection from Dirt Fiend Racing.

While we prefer the overall performance of our widened Raptor, we couldn’t help but notice that the stock machine’s magically balanced performance had been somewhat thrown out of whack. With increased width and stability, we were suddenly charging corners harder on the way in and wishing for more horsepower on the way out.

Selecting the Big-3 Engine Upgrades

To test the Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades, we will continue building on our 2013 Raptor 700 that we used for our Raptor 700RR Prototypes project. 2014 and newer models benefit from a touch more horsepower and torque due to a higher compression ratio and a few other small changes, but the benefits of engine upgrades are very similar .

Fuel Custom’s intakes are constructed of a rotary mold composite that’s said to be fire resistant. With the Raptor’s already outstanding low to midrange power, Fuel Custom tunes their intake to boost over-rev while carrying the torque curve farther.

Known for making big power on the intake side, Fuel Custom has a dyno on site and lots of experience testing different exhausts with their intakes. Owner Garrett Torres tells us that our stock Raptor puts out between 41 and 42 in stock trim with 53-54 hp within reach using bolt-on upgrades alone. Dyno numbers vary a bit, but these numbers are similar to what we’ve heard from different pipe builders and tuners.

Fuel Custom’s intakes are constructed of a rotary mold composite that’s said to be fire resistant. With the Raptor’s already outstanding low to midrange power, Fuel Custom tunes their intake to boost over-rev while carrying the torque curve farther.

The intake features a tapered design to build air velocity into the throttle body. Fuel Custom’s Cotton filters are similar in design to a K&N, but with an 8 layer design, they feature twice as many layers for added filtration, claimed to be 99.8% efficient.

Fuel Custom offers their intakes with an optional airbox, recommended for those participating in cross-country racing or trail riding offering added protection. Without a loss in power, it’s an option we wouldn’t go without.

For extremely dusty conditions, we still like running a foam filter as they’ve proven to offer the utmost in protection from the finest dust particles. A form filter from Uni for the 2004/2005 TRX450R works fine with the Fuel Custom intake and airbox.

For extremely dusty conditions, we still like running a foam filter as they’ve proven to offer the utmost in protection from the finest dust particles. A form filter from Uni for the 2004/2005 TRX450R works fine with the Fuel Custom intake and airbox. Uni also offers their own spray on filter cleaner and oil for easy maintenance.

Fuel Custom’s owner, Garrett Torres, recommended we run a Barker Performance dual exhaust system as a good match for their intake’s quest for a broader power and torque curve. They explained,  “Barker’s dual design increases over-rev compared to other aftermarket exhausts without being excessively loud like some.” Barker is claiming 103db, so it isn’t especially quiet.  An optional quiet core insert is available from Barker that will reduce sound by 5db with a small ½ to 1 ½ hp loss in power. Spark arrestors are also available from Barker.

Fuel Custom’s owner, Garrett Torres, recommended we run a Barker Performance dual exhaust system as a good match for their intake’s quest for a broader power and torque curve.

Barker says they use premium quality materials that are hand-welded in the USA. Constructed of 304 stainless steel, their pipes are Tig-welded with seam-reduced interior surfaces for less disruption of the exhaust flow. The silencers, end-caps, and clamps are made of 6061 aircraft grade aluminum.

The silencer bodies are available in a brushed finish, black powder, or ceramic finish. The Barker’s exhaust tag, billet clamps, and end-caps can be ordered in various colors.

With separate headers coming off of each exhaust port, heat shields can be found on both head pipes as well as on the exhaust under the subframe above the heel guards. With the left side exhaust riding close to the stator wires, an L bracket is included to help protect them.  A small amount of plastic trimming is necessary where the left side rear heat shield rubs the inner edge of the fenders and where the left pipe cooks the factory sprocket guard. Other than that, overall construction and aesthetics look beautiful.

Compared to running an exhaust, tuner and removing the stock airbox lid, installing a Fuel Customs Intake is said to add 1.5 Hp from 5000rpm with a 3hp gain at peak. Fuel customs is claiming an added 800RPMs of over rev with an 8-10 hp gain in over rev range compared to stock.

With air passing through the engine comes the demand for more fuel. To handle this, we went with a Dynojet Power Commander V

With air passing through the engine comes the demand for more fuel. To handle this, we went with a Dynojet Power Commander V. Dynojet offers versions for tuning fuel, fuel and ignition, and fuel, ignition, and boost for those running turbochargers. We planned on sticking with fuel tuning for now, but wanted the option to squeak out every bit of available performance with bolt-ons or internal engine upgrades, so we future proofed ourselves with the fuel and ignition tuner.

Unlike tuners we’ve tested with on board tuning, the PC5 allows you to tune up to the limits of the fuel injector, stock or larger. It also allows for much more finetuning across the throttle and RPM range. The only drawbacks are that you must connect a laptop for tuning and there’s a lot more options to deal with for beginners. Fortunately, Dynojet has tons of downloadable fuel maps for various setups; you can go to a DynoJet dynamometer center for precise fuel map and ignition tuning by a pro, or you can do what we did and install a Dynojet Autotuner. Once activated in Dynojet’s software, it works with the PC5 and an 02 sensor that you install in your head pipe to create custom fuel maps. We’ll be using it in future videos for creating maps for additional engine upgrades. It can also be used to clean up a less than perfect fuel map, or write maps for different altitudes and temperatures. Fuel Customs has a map ready for our setup, so we decided to start with that.

Adding a lightweight, 6061 aluminum aluminum bumper from Teixeira Tech added protection, keeps weight down, and makes the front end of the machine much easier to lift for maintenance or getting the machine unstuck.

Last thing before heading out to the track, we gave the Raptor a quick oil change with Maxima Pro Plus oil,  and used Maxima’s  Chain Care Combo Kit to clean, lubricate, and keep our chain corrosion free. Adding a lightweight, 6061 aluminum aluminum bumper from Teixeira Tech added protection, keeps weight down, and makes the front end of the machine much easier to lift for maintenance or getting the machine unstuck.

Last thing before heading out to the track, we gave the Raptor a quick oil change with Maxima Pro Plus oil,  and used Maxima’s  Chain Care Combo Kit to clean, lubricate, and keep our chain corrosion free.

Test Day!

With our Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades installed, we went to Trimble Motorsports’ private practice track in northern Ky. The track was nicely prepped, but the water soaked in quickly overnight leaving test rider, Dave Trimble, searching for traction on a loose track.

We happened to have Precision Racing’s latest top-of-the -line Elite steering stabilizer on hand that we planned on using on a future Raptor project. Test rider, Dave Trimble, happily took the 20 minutes needed to install it to help tame the loose track and angrier Raptor.  With Precision’s recommended damping settings for the center and sides of the steering, track chunk was undetectable through the steering. More importantly, Precision’s Elite Stabilizer helped keep the back end from coming around as easily and unpredictably while exiting corners, making the most of the available traction and drive.

We happened to have Precision Racing’s latest top-of-the -line Elite steering stabilizer on hand that we planned on using on a future Raptor project. Test rider, Dave Trimble, happily took the 20 minutes needed to install it to help tame the loose track and angrier Raptor.

Firing up the Raptor, the Barker’s exhaust system puts out a big four-stroke thump. While it’s 103db rating is best suited for areas where sound is not an issue, it has a pleasant, deep tone with fresh packing. We had some initial issues with backfiring and stalling near idle at zero throttle when letting off the gas. We added 12% more fuel to Fuel Custom’s map with the PC5 software in the 0% throttle column from 500-4500RPMs based on Fuel Custom’s feedback. This cured the stalling issues, virtually eliminated any hint of backfiring, and had the 700 running like a beast.

With tuning complete, the Raptor’s increase in power is blatantly obvious from the second you let out the clutch, delivering significantly enhanced big, 4-stroke power. The Raptor’s already seemingly stall proof, low-end power is even more indomitable pulling with  greater authority and an enhanced willingness to build RPMS on demand.

With tuning complete, the Raptor’s increase in power is blatantly obvious from the second you let out the clutch, delivering significantly enhanced big, 4-stroke power.

3^rd gear corners become 4^th gear corners with the increased torque and low-end horsepower making traction easier to find and jumps exiting corners easier to clear.   With plenty of power on tap when lugging the engine, an uncorked Raptor will certainly be good at finding traction on slick, steep muddy trails.

The Fuel Custom’s intake, Barker’s exhaust, and Dynojet PC5 really wake up the midrange power, keeping the best part of the power where it’s easiest to take advantage of.  When you hit the middle of the RPMs hard on the throttle, you really notice how much more freely the engine revs. The front end exhibits a greater tendency to head skyward, forcing you to take a more aggressive riding position.

When you hit the middle of the RPMs hard on the throttle, you really notice how much more freely the engine revs

In stock form, power tends to fall off on top, requiring an upshift to continue building momentum quickly. With the installation of the Big-3, top-end power comes alive building speed and sounding happy till the rev limiter kicks in. In a drag race, a stock Raptor will be forced to upshift sooner, although it will be losing at every point in the RPM range. On a rack or trail, the uncorked Raptor’s broader, more portent power could easily create some passing opportunities.

With the installation of the Big-3, top-end power comes alive building speed and sounding happy till the rev limiter kicks in. In a drag race, a stock Raptor will be forced to upshift sooner, although it will be losing at every point in the RPM range.

Conclusion

The Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades makes a big difference, and if we hadn’t addressed the chassis, suspension, and steering stabilizer on our machine, we’d certainly feel the need for some handling upgrades at this point.

We haven’t been this thrilled with the results of addressing the intake, exhaust, and fueling of a sport ATV since we slapped our first set of pipes on a Banshee back in the 1990s. Fuel Customs intake, Barker’s Performance exhaust, and Dynojet Power Commander V fuel controller make the Raptor more unstoppable off idle, with more power and increased responsiveness everywhere in the RPM range. Sure, the dual exhaust setup will make it a bit more expensive than a single, and forces you to slightly trim some plastic, but the increase in top end over-rev seemed well worth it to us.

If you haven’t ridden a Raptor with the Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades installed, you have no idea just how fun the Yamaha Raptor 700R really is. Would we recommend this setup to our riding buddies? Absolutely yes.

f you haven’t ridden a Raptor with the Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades installed, you have no idea just how fun the Yamaha Raptor 700R really is.

Parts and Prices

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Tags: dynojet power commander v raptor 700, monster exhaust, raptor 700 barkers, raptor 700 barkers dual exhaust, raptor 700 big 3, raptor 700 big 3 vs stock, raptor 700 exhaust review, raptor 700 exhaust test, raptor 700 fuel customs intake, raptor 700 intake review, raptor 700 intake test, raptor 700 monster exhaust, raptor 700rr, raptor dyno, yamaha raptor, yamaha raptor 700r, Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades, Yamaha Raptor 700R Big 3 Engine Upgrades Barkers Exhaust Fuel Customs Intake and Dynojet PC5 Test

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