If you have spent even five minutes at a sand dune or a local drag strip, you've probably heard banshee toomey pipes screaming long before you actually saw the quad. There is something incredibly distinct about that high-pitched, metallic "ping" that comes off a Yamaha Banshee 350 when it's running a set of Toomeys. It's a sound that defines the two-stroke era for a lot of us. While there are a ton of exhaust options out there for the Banshee—from FMF to Pro Circuit to CPI—Toomey Racing has managed to stay at the top of the heap for decades, and honestly, there are some very good reasons for that.
The Legend of the Toomey Sound and Power
Let's be real for a second: the Banshee is a dinosaur. It's an old-school, twin-cylinder two-stroke that hasn't changed much since the mid-80s. But that's exactly why we love them. When you throw a set of banshee toomey pipes on one, you aren't just changing the look; you are completely rewriting how that motor delivers power.
Most people describe the Toomey power delivery as a "light switch." One second you're just puttering along, and the next second, the front wheels are pointing at the sky because you hit the powerband. That sudden surge of power is what makes the Banshee addictive. Toomey didn't just stumble onto this; they spent years dyno-testing and refining their expansion chambers to find the sweet spot where the 350cc twin really wants to breathe.
Breaking Down the T5 vs the T6
If you are looking to buy, you're usually deciding between the T5 and the T6. This is the classic debate in the Banshee community.
The Iconic T5
The Toomey T5 is arguably the most famous exhaust system in the history of ATVs. If you want that classic mid-to-top end rush, this is the pipe for you. It's designed for riders who like to keep the throttle pinned. In the dunes, where you're constantly screaming up hills and across bowls, the T5 is king. It offers a massive gain in horsepower over the stock "pea-shooter" pipes and works incredibly well on both stock and mildly ported motors. It's the "do-it-all" pipe for someone who wants their Banshee to feel like a race machine.
The Versatile T6
Then you have the Toomey T6. These were released a bit later and were designed to give the Banshee a little more "rideability." Let's face it, the Banshee isn't known for its low-end torque. If you try to lug it through a tight trail in third gear, it's probably going to bog. The T6 tries to fix that by bringing the powerband down a little lower in the RPM range. It's a great choice for trail riders or people who don't want to feather the clutch quite as much. You still get a great top-end, but it's a bit more linear and less "all-or-nothing" than the T5.
Why the "Perfect Jetting" Kit Matters
One of the biggest headaches with two-strokes is jetting. You change your pipes, and suddenly your bike is running lean, getting too hot, or popping and sputtering. This is where Toomey really wins over the average rider. Most of their pipe kits come with what they call "Perfect Jetting."
Now, "perfect" is a big word, especially since elevation and temperature change everything, but Toomey gets pretty darn close. Their kits usually include specific needles and main jets that are pre-calculated to work with their pipes and a high-flow air filter. It takes the guesswork out of the process. Instead of spending three weekends swapping brass and pulling your hair out, you can usually drop their kit in, and the bike runs crisp right away.
The needles are really the secret sauce. They have a specific taper that helps smooth out the transition from the pilot circuit to the main jet, which is exactly where most Banshees struggle when you start modding them.
The Fit, Finish, and That Chrome
We have to talk about the aesthetics. A Banshee with a fresh set of chrome banshee toomey pipes is a work of art. Toomey uses a high-quality nickel-chrome plating that holds up surprisingly well against the heat. Unlike some cheaper pipes that turn a weird blue or yellow after one ride, Toomeys tend to stay looking "show quality" for a long time if you take care of them.
The fitment is also usually spot-on. If you've ever tried to install a set of cheap knock-off pipes, you know the struggle of using a pry bar to get the springs to line up or having the silencers rub against the frame. With Toomey, everything usually just clicks into place. They use a nice o-ring seal at the header and sturdy hangers that don't vibrate apart after five hours of riding.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
I'll be the first to admit that Toomey pipes aren't cheap. You can definitely find used pipes on marketplace for half the price, or buy some budget-friendly brands that claim to make the same power. But here's the thing: you get what you pay for.
When you buy a set of banshee toomey pipes, you're buying decades of R&D. You're buying the resale value, too. If you ever decide to sell your Banshee (though why would you?), having "Toomey T5s" in the listing is a huge selling point. People know what they are, and they know they work.
Plus, the sound. I keep coming back to it because it's such a big part of the experience. It's not just loud; it's clean. Some pipes sound raspy or muffled, but Toomeys have a crisp, sharp bark that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up when you're pinned in sixth gear.
Maintenance and Longevity
To keep your pipes performing well, you do have to do a little bit of work. Like any two-stroke silencer, you'll eventually need to repack them. If your Banshee starts sounding a little "flat" or excessively loud (in a bad way), it's probably time for new fiberglass packing. Toomey silencers are easy to take apart, which is a blessing.
You also want to keep an eye on the o-rings at the exhaust flange. Two-strokes vibrate—a lot. Eventually, those seals can wear down, leading to "spooge" (that black oily gunk) leaking out and getting all over your shiny chrome. A little bit of high-temp silicone and fresh o-rings every season keeps everything looking and running like new.
Final Thoughts on the Toomey Experience
At the end of the day, owning a Banshee is about the thrill. It's about that raw, mechanical connection to a machine that wants to go fast and sound good doing it. There are plenty of ways to build a fast quad, but if you want the classic, quintessential Banshee experience, you really can't go wrong with banshee toomey pipes.
Whether you choose the T5 for that top-end scream or the T6 for a more balanced ride, you're getting a piece of history that still holds its own against modern fuel-injected four-strokes. Every time you kick that starter and hear that first "pop-pop-pop," you'll know you made the right choice. It's about more than just horsepower numbers; it's about the soul of the machine, and nothing brings out the soul of a Banshee quite like a set of Toomeys.
So, if you're sitting on the fence, just do it. Your ears might ring a little, and your neighbors might not be your biggest fans, but once you hit that powerband for the first time, none of that will matter. You'll be too busy smiling under your helmet.