pro tec vs. riva pipe

[KR]

Any thoughts? Besides the power output, I think for my case; reliability is much more important then anything else. I keep hitting my chin pad in the surf, I need a little bit more "umf" to get me out of those situations. Not spending a dollar more then $450. I know, I know, $50 more and a B-pipe. I am a full time student and $50 means a lot to me.

 

[oxnard111]

hmmmm

i have no personal experience with either, but it seems like the protec is a little better from my readings here on the x.

the red pipe i heard is hard to get stay put. exact alignment is key, and even then it seems like people say the break/fall off eventually.

the protec runs a coupler if I am not mistaken and would seem a little better for the surf. but i don't think a SJ Protec pipe will not fit in an FX, again if I am not mistaken. Finding an FX Protec might be as hard as finding a low priced b pipe.

 

[OCD Solutions]

My ski came with a Red Pipe and it came loose after 1 hr in the surf. There is just so much weight in that headpipe and chamber to support off the cylinder and head. I switched to a B-pipe just to get that weight lower and minimized. The extra Brap was nice too.

The Red Pipe had really good power for flatwater but IMO just too heavy for surf.

 

[dirkdiggler]

where do the RIVA pipes come apart exactly?? I have used one and it never came apart....I used high strength "thread locker" on all bolts........I say the RIVA pipes are better than the Pro-tec.........just my experience!

 

[oxnard111]

where do the RIVA pipes come apart exactly?? I have used one and it never came apart....I used high strength "thread locker" on all bolts........I say the RIVA pipes are better than the Pro-tec.........just my experience!

i have heard people have a hard time keeping the attached to the cylinder head. I had one i removed from a ski, the guy dripped a whole through the top of each bolt, and then used bailing wire to cris-crossed each bolt to each other so they wouldn't back out on themselves.

i'd pick up a pro-tec half girdle kit with either pipe, but if you buy brand new, that is gonna jack up the price another $160 from Group-K.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Mine split right where the chamber bolts to the headpipe. At first I suspected sheared bolts but they had actually worked their way out. There was signs of threadlocked and they had been on the boat for the last 5 yrs trouble free.

I'm guessing harmonics is the killer, especially after reading the above thread where they used safety wire to keep the bolts in place.

Is the Prot-tec a cast pipe as well?

 

[tnj4life]

I have heard the same about the riva red, its always wiggling loose. Never had one on a ski though. Ive got a coffman sizzler on my sn, I just wonder if it will fit a fx1? The sizzler runs low like a b pipe.

 

[oxnard111]

I have heard the same about the riva red, its always wiggling loose. Never had one on a ski though. Ive got a coffman sizzler on my sn, I just wonder if it will fit a fx1? The sizzler runs low like a b pipe.

if it does fit in an fx, i'd look for one of those. i've been keeping my eye open for a cheap one to pick up for my spare ski.

 

[rossthaboss11]

ive got the red pipe and ive never had any problem with it. no bolts backed out and nothing came loose. if you torque it down right and use thread locker there shouldnt be any problem. i personally like the pipe and it gives you good power, the only thing bad about it is that its a b**** to put on and take off.

 

[KR]

Great feedback, thanks guys. Any more input would be appreciated.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I have a Sizzler pipe in my old SN and it has been trouble free for over 10 yrs now. I haven't even replaced the coupler yet nor is it even close to needing to. Not nearly as much power as the red or the B-pipe but I haven't heard of a more reliable pipe on the market.

I keep threatening to sell it off but it has been such a good pipe. They usually go for about $250 and can be found in pretty good shape. I will be parting out my SN in a few months so maybe...

 

[ridethelip]

The riva is heavy and really difficult to work on.They seem to make good power I put one on a blaster.I have had the pro-tec on my sj for over 10 yrs. The forward aluminum bracket breaks which they changed on the newer version and after years and years of riding the area on the exhaust manifold that is hand welded shut after the manifold is cast during manufacturing sprung a leak.I had it welded and it is still on the ski.

 

[tnj4life]

if it does fit in an fx, i'd look for one of those. i've been keeping my eye open for a cheap one to pick up for my spare ski.

Im tempted to pull my sizzler off my sn and see if it will fit my fx1. If it does then I can always find another pipe for that sn. That sizzler is a good all around pipe, trouble free. Its been opened up for my 701. Its never come loose. My fx1 is completely in pieces as of now so it may be a month before I can even see.

 

[tnj4life]

I have a Sizzler pipe in my old SN and it has been trouble free for over 10 yrs now. I haven't even replaced the coupler yet nor is it even close to needing to. Not nearly as much power as the red or the B-pipe but I haven't heard of a more reliable pipe on the market.

I keep threatening to sell it off but it has been such a good pipe. They usually go for about $250 and can be found in pretty good shape. I will be parting out my SN in a few months so maybe...

Whats the biggest difference with the bpipe compared to the sizzler powerwise? Ive never had a chance to try a b. My sizzler pulls great from bottom to top, but it doesnt have a super hard hit.

 

[OCD Solutions]

If the B-pipe is a 10, then the Red Pipe is an 8.5 and the Sizzler is a 7. I've never ridden a superjet with a stock pipe to add that to the comparison. That's about the best I can explain it.

 

[tor*p*do]

I run this old style protec pipe on my SN
runs fine, no problems, hits hard
see if you can find on of these for cheap:fingersx:

 

[wolf]

The Riva red pipe made my '94 SN come alive, that ski ripped hard. Like somebody said, that exhaust is a bitch to install with the motor in the ski, I ended up making a custom 12mm wrench and using a crow's foot to get the manifold bolts tight.

I'd bet that a lot of the problems people have had with the Riva were due to not getting all the manifold bolts torqued down right.

 

[feartheride]

My kids ski has had the pro tec Mach pipe on for 4 yrs with no problem

 

[Pablo]

I had a Riva Red on my 701 when I bought it. Ski made o.k. low end, mid was great and top was so-so. That was with a 14/18 slimline skat-trak. I put a b-pipe on and the low end was a dramatic change. The riva was fine and better than stock. It was a complete biotch to get on and off. I thought I was gonna have to pull the engine (with pipe on) to get the manifold bolts off. It is a heavy pipe. I had no probs with bolts backing out. For the right price it's not a bad pipe at all.

 

[FL-cracker]

If you wait long enough you can find a B-pipe for $450 I just sold one for $350 to a friend.

Id rather run a stock pipe then spend $450 on a far less desirable pipe.... You will learn its alot cheaper to do it right the first time.

I have a freind with a Type 8 Factory pipe in pretty good shape that he would probably sell pretty cheap... It has great Mid to top end, not the B-pipe bottom... he never had any trouble with couplers.

PM if you want me to find out how much, he would probably take $300 for it.... Then you could get a half girdle.... I may know where one of those are too.