103 Stage II Kit - Worth the Cost??
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 3
From: Texas/Arkansas border
Like stated above, the 103/255 version of the HD upgrade "pleases the masses". I think this probably hits the nail on the head, along with the fact there is not as much profit in selling a set of cams and a little dyno time as is a complete top end set up, cams, dyno tune, head work,etc, Another good point that was brought out.
In all fairness, I went for the 103/255 setup for the low end torque and pulling power that it offered in the low rpm range. Not everyone riding a dresser wants to have their peak hp (that gets you no where) come in mid rpm and their peak torque (that gets you everywhere) come in at 5500rpm. True, the 255 cams peter out at around 4K, but from 2-4K they work well, which means myself, my wife, and my trailer pass large obstacles without shifting out of 6th gear, and do it in a safe yet fairly quick manner.
I kinda figure that is why HD sell all the different products, so there may be something for everyone. In this case the 103/255 was for me. Incedently, mine put out 85hp and 103ft lbs of torque, both at around 4K rpm, and yes, it does pull light years better than the stock 96. It was the best $1442 that I've wasted so far on this motorcycle. I would do it again in a heart beat.
In all fairness, I went for the 103/255 setup for the low end torque and pulling power that it offered in the low rpm range. Not everyone riding a dresser wants to have their peak hp (that gets you no where) come in mid rpm and their peak torque (that gets you everywhere) come in at 5500rpm. True, the 255 cams peter out at around 4K, but from 2-4K they work well, which means myself, my wife, and my trailer pass large obstacles without shifting out of 6th gear, and do it in a safe yet fairly quick manner.
I kinda figure that is why HD sell all the different products, so there may be something for everyone. In this case the 103/255 was for me. Incedently, mine put out 85hp and 103ft lbs of torque, both at around 4K rpm, and yes, it does pull light years better than the stock 96. It was the best $1442 that I've wasted so far on this motorcycle. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 3
From: Texas/Arkansas border
Before the ForumPolice jump all over my previous entry, I must stand corrected. I translated the HP/TQ numbers wrong on Donnie's dyno chart. The 107tq/80hp at just below 4K rpm on his chart is almost exactly what my 103/255 (103tq/85hp @ 3800rpm) cam set up does at this same rpm range. The difference comes there after. My torque and HP flattens out basically, his torque falls, HP rises. Don't recall what my numbers were doing up the peak HP/TQ numbers, but probably not too much different than his. So it appears that the 96/211 set up would have accomplished bascially what the 103/255 set up did for me in the rpm range I was shooting for. Probably saved money, also. I have Fulsac true duals, Rush 2.5 mufflers, stage I breather kit and a PCIII. I spent and extra $300 on jugs/pistons. May be worth checking to the 96/211 set up, could save money and accomplish the same thing.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 1,102
From: Brandon, Mississippi
Yes, and I want to make it very clear my only intention here is to offer an alternative example with keeping the 96 people bought and paid for and getting nice respectable power out of it. It can be done.
Like stated above, the 103/255 version of the HD upgrade "pleases the masses". I think this probably hits the nail on the head, along with the fact there is not as much profit in selling a set of cams and a little dyno time as is a complete top end set up, cams, dyno tune, head work,etc, Another good point that was brought out.
In all fairness, I went for the 103/255 setup for the low end torque and pulling power that it offered in the low rpm range. Not everyone riding a dresser wants to have their peak hp (that gets you no where) come in mid rpm and their peak torque (that gets you everywhere) come in at 5500rpm. True, the 255 cams peter out at around 4K, but from 2-4K they work well, which means myself, my wife, and my trailer pass large obstacles without shifting out of 6th gear, and do it in a safe yet fairly quick manner.
I kinda figure that is why HD sell all the different products, so there may be something for everyone. In this case the 103/255 was for me. Incedently, mine put out 85hp and 103ft lbs of torque, both at around 4K rpm, and yes, it does pull light years better than the stock 96. It was the best $1442 that I've wasted so far on this motorcycle. I would do it again in a heart beat.
In all fairness, I went for the 103/255 setup for the low end torque and pulling power that it offered in the low rpm range. Not everyone riding a dresser wants to have their peak hp (that gets you no where) come in mid rpm and their peak torque (that gets you everywhere) come in at 5500rpm. True, the 255 cams peter out at around 4K, but from 2-4K they work well, which means myself, my wife, and my trailer pass large obstacles without shifting out of 6th gear, and do it in a safe yet fairly quick manner.
I kinda figure that is why HD sell all the different products, so there may be something for everyone. In this case the 103/255 was for me. Incedently, mine put out 85hp and 103ft lbs of torque, both at around 4K rpm, and yes, it does pull light years better than the stock 96. It was the best $1442 that I've wasted so far on this motorcycle. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC
Power to cost? I guess it depends what you pay. I picked up a se stage 2 kit for a softail (I have a 2009 flhx) for $310.00 I dont need the pipes or ac as I have that. Im gonna do the work myself.
Excellent power to cost ratio
Excellent power to cost ratio
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,047
From: Wisconsin
I really don't understand this whole "255 falls off like a rock after 4k" crap. I have the Stage II 103 w/255 cams and it runs hard all the way up to the rev limiter if I run it that high. Usually I shift before that, but for crying out loud, it's not a drag bike, it's a touring bike. I've run it in the Black Hills and other places where the extra torque is useful both 1 up and 2 up and it hasn't let me down yet. Oh yeah, and forget the dyno tune. I have the ECM flash and I get good gas mileage and the engine runs strong all day long. Maybe I got lucky and my dealer's tech boys know their stuff, but I see so many wild and crazy statements here about the 4k drop off and needing CRs and SERT/SEST and it just drives me nuts.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 44
From: Boise Idaho
I also think the Screamin Beagle II 103 kit is over rated I have a 07 RK with a HQ500 cam, FatCat, good aircleaner and an SERT with as good a tune as you can get in Boise and I got 90 HP and 93 Torq and my bike really runs good.
My bike starts good and doesn't bang on start up's which I know is a problem with that 103/255 set up, I'm going to put a 49T ring gear it my primary this winter and I'm going to be happy for a good many years!!
All I can say is save your bucks a little longer and get a HQ kit instead of that SE stuff, that's what I'm going to do after I get a good amount of miles on the 96, I will have HQ built me a set of heads and bore the cylinders.
My bike starts good and doesn't bang on start up's which I know is a problem with that 103/255 set up, I'm going to put a 49T ring gear it my primary this winter and I'm going to be happy for a good many years!!
All I can say is save your bucks a little longer and get a HQ kit instead of that SE stuff, that's what I'm going to do after I get a good amount of miles on the 96, I will have HQ built me a set of heads and bore the cylinders.
Stage I
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Bentonville, Arkansas
Stage II numbers
Just had a Stage II kit installed today with SE 255 cams in a 103 engine. The bike is a 2013 HD 110 Anniversary Edition Heritage Softtail. The pipes are Vance and Hinds Big Shots Here are the dyno number.
Max Power before 74.55 after 82.65
Max Torque before 87.99 after 103.32
The weather sucks so I haven't taken it out yet.
Max Power before 74.55 after 82.65
Max Torque before 87.99 after 103.32
The weather sucks so I haven't taken it out yet.
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