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FTZ Pipe Test
By:
Chris Hodkinson
 Honda
quit producing the famed TRX250R in 1989. Fortunately for the
diehard TRX250R fans, the aftermarket companies have been able
to take a late 80's motor and frame design and turn it into a
year 2000 quad. Just when you think that the market is drying
up from the lack of new products it takes a strong uphill
surge.
One of the companies that has decided to
step back into the ATV market is FTZ. Years ago FTZ was noted
for building quads for Mark Lee that gave Gary Denton fits at
the GNC's. FTZ, for awhile, decided to concentrate on their
micro midget program and for years made their living building
some of the fastest 250cc micros in the world. This year they
have made their return to the GNC's building motors for 250
Pro Joe Byrd, 250A TT Champ Darin Ogden, and TT specialist
Aron Reisig.
We have seen these FTZ powered quads in
the pits or leading the way down the backstretch and the one
thing that sticks out about these FTZ motors is their HUGE
pipes. We know that it takes more then just a pipe to make the
TRX250R go fast, but as one of the easiest bolt on pipes it is
a good place to start.
The quad that we are going to bolt this
pipe on has a 1988 motor ported by LRD, Pro Design Coolhead,
V-Force Reed Cage, 40mm Lectron Powerjet Carb., PVL Digital
Ignition, and now a FTZ Pipe. FTZ makes 2 in frame pipe
choices for the 250R. We had a choice between a mid-range pipe
with more torque or the Hi-Rev version. We opted for the
Hi-Rev since this particular bike is used for fast ovals and
drags.
 The
FTZ pipes are a work of art and look really trick. The pipe is
completely made by hand rolled cones with flawless welds. The
installation of the pipe is basically the same as any other
250R pipe. Slide it into place, but some hi-temp silicone
around the joints, put them together, install the springs to
hold the joints together, and then bolt it in place. The fit
and finish of these pipes is outstanding. The pipe clears the
frame in all areas. When installed, our pipe rested against
the water pump cover. We couldn't get it moved away no matter
what we did because there is no mount to hold the pipe up
there. After a quick call to FTZ to voice our concern we were
informed that they do have an optional bracket that can be
welded on there if the customer desires, but unless you are
MXing it is not really needed.
Once the installation was complete we
richened up our jetting to play it safe. After a couple of
jetting passes we came up with the jetting that was slightly
richer then
what we needed with our previously installed LRD pipe.
Throttle response with the new FTZ pipe was slightly less just
off idle then we had before but it was a lot better then we
thought it would be. As we rolled up through the gears we were
surprised on how much harder and longer the quad pulled
through the upper RPM ranges. In side by side 2nd gear
roll-ons with a modified banshee the FTZ piped 250R shot out
into the lead farther and held it until both machines rev'd
out in 6th gear before the banshee would pass. With the
previous pipe the 250R would be left in the dust after the 1st
shift.
 We
have bolted a lot of pipes onto this 250R over the years and
we have always put the LRD pipe back on because we could not
find a pipe that we liked better for our style of
riding/racing. That is up until now. The FTZ pipe is on the
quad to stay. This is the fastest in-frame pipe for the 250R
that we have ever run. The best part of this pipe is that even
though it has great top-end, we still had decent power down
low. I would not recommend this pipe for the normal woods
rider, but then again this pipe is not intended for that
either. We will have to try to get our hands on FTZ's midrange
pipe to give that a try in the woods. FTZ has definitely upped
the ante in the world of pipes for the 250R. Now lets see if
anyone takes the challenge to build something better or
faster.
The price for the pipe is $255.00. It is
a little more expensive then most unchromed pipes, but you
have to remember this is a complete hand rolled coned pipe and
not a mass-produced stamped pipe. A production stamped pipe is
a lot cheaper to build but usually offer less horsepower and
more chance for manufacturing errors. FTZ does have a chrome
version for an additional $85.00. Myself, personally, I like
the factory look of seeing all the welded joints so I opted
for the unchromed version.
 Another
area that goes overlooked in the world of performance is the
silencer. FTZ has developed a new line of "oversize
shorty silencers" which contribute to an increase in
low-end power. Just like the pipe, the silencer is made to
perfection and clamps right on with no problems of hitting the
frame or air box. The cost of the oval silencer is very
reasonable.
Contact Information
FTZ Performance, Inc.
408 So. Kingshighway
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Phone: 573.334.5439
Fax: 573.334.0900
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