Our project 400EX has seen several exhaust systems over its life, but since installing our hydraulic clutch, the older Big Gun exhaust system has been rattling against the clutch and also slightly against the top of the case. To solve the problem we turned to LRD Performance for their newly redesigned 400EX exhaust system. LRD is well known in the GNCC racing world with their two stroke performance products and you may have seen their new aluminum chassis that Bill Ballance is racing on the GNCC circuit.

LRD has been fine-tuning their 400EX exhaust system over the last couple of years and now has a single system for both standard bore 400EX machines and big bore machines. With one system you will not have to change your exhaust when you decide to turn your 400EX into a 440EX. The new LRD 400EX exhaust system features a staged increasing diameter head pipe that allows you to increase top-end horespower with out any loss of low-end torque.

Fit

The LRD system fits perfectly on Project 400EX and looks even better. There is plenty of clearance around the case and hydraulic clutch and also plenty of room where it goes past the frame. The LRD system even comes with a new exhaust gasket.

Plenty of room for a hydraulic clutch

Good clearance around the frame

The Complete LRD system weighs in at only 9.15 lbs. This is a nice weight savings over the 12.7 lbs of the stock system. The silencer is black anodized with a laser engraved logo and uses a single mounting point.

Very nice endcap design with Allen-head fasteners

Single silencer mounting position

How does it perform?

To get a objective reading on performance we headed over to Dynojet Research and Development. Before testing Project 400EX we first wanted to get a reading on a stock 400EX. We tested a stock 400EX and then installed the LRD exhaust system and custom LRD/Dynojet kit on it. As you will see on the chart below (stock results in red, results with LRD in blue), we got a very nice 1 1/2 HP gain but more than that, you will see that we are now getting much smother and consistent power delivery across the complete power band. Very nice!

Next we turned to Project 400EX which has an Edelbrock carb, K&N Filter, open airbox system, and an older Big Gun exhaust system. Project 400EX responded very well to the new LRD system with a 1 1/2 HP gain. Where our current system stopped gaining (shown in blue) the LRD just kept on going right out to the end of the powerband (shown in red). Our project 400EX also showed nearly 3 HP over the stock 400EX, to which most of the credit can be given to the Edelbrock Quicksilver carburetor.

SUMMARY

LRD has definitely done their homework and produced a TOP QUALITY exhaust system. The system is very clean, all the way from the high quality chrome to the anodized silencer with laser-cut logo. The sound is very throaty but not too loud. Project 400EX feels like new again with the LRD exhaust system. We know there are many choices in exhaust systems, but after experience with this new LRD system we think it should be at the top of your list.

400EX Pipe and silencer (Chrome) - $434.95 (spark arrestor add $50)
400EX Pipe and silencer (High gloss Ceramic) - $469.95 (spark arrestor add $50)

Project 400EX LRD Photo Gallery

LRD Performance Specialties
200 NE Victory Ave. #A
Gresham, OR 97030 - USA
Phone: (503) 661-6700
Fax: (503) 492-3747
info@lrdperformance.com
www.LRDPerformance.com

Dynojet Research and Development
2191 Mendenhall Drive
North Las Vegas, NV 89031
www.dynojet.com